By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Judy Truesdell learned determination from her Grandmother Scully. The mother of eight children and wife to a coal miner used to demonstrate around the town square in Sullivan, Ind. for women's right to vote.
"She was determined," Truesdell said.
Now, Truesdell said she will use that strength in her campaign for a seat in Michigan's House of Representatives. Truesdell said she will run as a Democrat in the 78th District, which she said has never been carried by a woman or a Democrat.
Truesdell is holding a rally to kick off her campaign on Sunday, March 12 at 3 p.m. at the Renaissance Center on the corner of Main and Fourth streets in downtown Niles (formerly the Four Flags Hotel).
"I will take common sense to the state capital," Truesdell said.
Much of her platform for the campaign has been based on her conversations with citizens in the area, Truesdell said. Her three main areas of focus include jobs, education and the environment, she said.
"People want jobs that pay the prevailing, liveable wage and that ensure life-sustaining benefits," Truesdell said.
Another area needing attention is education, Truesdell said.
"In order to have decent jobs, we have to have an educated work force," she said.
The State Board of Education has recently proposed changes to Michigan high school curriculums that would require students to complete four years of math and three years of science courses. Truesdell said the math and science requirements may not be attainable by all students and the state should consider looking at teaching a larger variety of career options, such as entrepreneurship.
"It's really, really important that we at least instill the concept," Truesdell said of owning a small business.
Truesdell also addressed environmental concerns for the state.
"We want to protect our natural resources. The biggest ones being the Lake (Michigan), wetlands and farmlands," Truesdell said.
She also said she has concerns with other states and countries dumping trash in Michigan landfills, and, the price at which they are allowed to do it.
"Our dump fees are negligible compared to other states," Truesdell said.
As a student at Eastern Michigan University, Truesdell said she majored in education and sociology and graduated in 1967. Her husband, Terry, is originally from Niles and they moved to the area together in 1969, Truesdell said.
The couple has founded multiple manufacturing businesses, including Ironwood Display in 1973 – now IDI Design Group – and Tree Play in 1978, Truesdell said.
The couple's only child, Meg Truesdell, owns a jewelry business in downtown Niles.
Truesdell said she has served on multiple community boards, including Michiana Crime Stoppers ('92-'95), Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve ('87-'93) and as president of the Niles Service League ('79-84). She said she was also a founding member of the Niles Fund division of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.
Truesdell is also a trustee at Lake Michigan College and a member of the school's foundation board. To earn the spot as a trustee, Truesdell said she had to run in a general election in 2004. Truesdell said she received more than 38,000 votes in the election covering all of Berrien County and a part of Van Buren County.