NO RACIAL CONNOTATIONS MEANT

I would like to clarify the comments attributed to me by the Free Press on
July 16 ("Locally Speaking").

The context of the statement is extremely important. I was discussing the
medical marijuana ballot initiative that will be up for a vote in Detroit.
Numerous doctors have agreed with me that there is no such thing as
medicinal marijuana. This initiative is sponsored by George Soros, who is a
big financial supporter of John Kerry and liberal interest groups like
Moveon org. The initiative is opposed by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Kerry needs to decide if he is with Kilpatrick or Soros on this concern.

If I had the opportunity to vote on this issue, I would vote no. Many
Democratic voters in Detroit might feel the same way. If I were a Democrat
in Detroit, I would be troubled by Kerry's close interaction with Soros.

That combination would "suppress" the vote for Kerry.

By suppressing the vote, I did not and do not mean trying to stop people
from voting or expressing themselves. And I certainly did not mean to imply
any racial connotations.

If I have offended any of my colleagues from Detroit or Detroit residents,
I apologize.

John Pappageorge

State Representative

41st District

R-Troy