Dennis Grenier

Libertarian
Candidate for Arizona Senate in Legislative District 15
Phone: (480) 488-3450
Email: greniergds@aol.com
Website: www.dennisgrenierforstatesenate.com
32832 N 66th St, Cave Creek, AZ 85331.
Age: 71. (10/14/40, Grosse Pointe, MI).

Arizona since: 1978.

Occupation: Owner and president, GDS Associates, Inc., since 1995; previous experience as sales manager for Data Communications Test & Measurement companies.

Marital: Married (Sandra).

Children: 2 daughters; 5 grandchildren.

Religious preference: Christian.

Education: Graduate work, transportation law & accounting, Wayne State University 1964-1965; B.S., economics & business, Western Michigan University, 1963.

Political experience: None.

Memberships: AZ-NM Telecommunications Assn, Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers.

Interests: Outdoor recreation, fishing, camping & boating.

Political influence: My political philosophy evolved over the years through working relationships, studying the works of top economist and understanding that personal responsibility is the key to success. With that being said, the one person that introduced me to the Libertarian Party was John Buttrick, Arizona Superior Court Judge. Watching him in a gubernatorial debate and the way he dominated the other candidates through common sense and logic got me thinking about the Libertarian Party. After studying their platform and talking with several Libertarians, I joined the party and have been a member for the better part of a decade.

Job creation measures: I would eliminate the income tax in favor of a usage fee program. Corporate taxes should be reduced to a minimum, which would encourage out of state companies to relocate here and allow existing Arizona companies to free up money for expansion.

Top Issues: Actually, it is the top three issues: jobs, immigration and education. I have outlined on my website how I would address each. Our unemployment rate is higher than the national average, our schools rank in the lower half on achievement scoring and the way we have addressed immigration issues has created more problems than it has solved.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I oppose extending the tax increase in 2013. A report out in February of 2012 lists Tuba City tops for sales tax in the country, and the town, in turn, is in the state with the second highest combined sales tax burden in the nation. Government can and should be reduced so that our tax burden is reduced.

Illegal immigration: Again, I would refer you to my website. There I have outlined an approach through existing departments that provide an avenue for immigrants to enter our state with proper documentation. As our economy picks up, we need the ability to meet the needs of employment for uninterrupted production.

Background & experience: Probably the best answer that I can give is that I am not a politician. My background is one of an entrepreneur working to develop and bring about satisfactory results requiring forethought and the understanding of what it takes to provide proper resolutions to key issues.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I think most people agree that they are responsible for their own personal well being, so whether I am for or against is unimportant. Each individual will make their own decision and should not force their beliefs on others. With that being said, the issue of financial responsibility is of importance to each individual, and the bottom line is that if we are responsible for our own well being then we should be personally responsible when it comes to insuring our needs. The taxpayer should not be responsible to pay for others.

One last thing: Like many Arizonans, I have had my ups and downs over the years; more ups than downs, and I am now at the point where I see a need to get involved. All too often, we tend to let our legislators do as they see fit and not what is best for their constituents. Through either special interest groups or party loyalty, we end up with legislation that hinders our growth. It is time that we bypass the two party voting and vote for the individual that is in line with our individual interest. I would appreciate consideration and please feel free to contact me by telephone or on my website.

Campaign finance: private.