WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/16/08) - A former Stevens Point, Wisconsin area State Assembly Representative is readying himself to re-enter the world of Republican vs. Democrat in Madison. Stan Gruszynski is now a resident of Marinette County and intends to seek the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin Assembly District 36. Prior to moving back to Eastern Wisconsin he represented the 71st Assembly District in Central Wisconsin.

"I believe the election this November is going to be an opportunity to put our country and our state on a new course and I believe it will be the voters who will be setting the agenda for a change," Gruszynski said.

"Many of the people that I have been talking with and all of the people who have actively encouraged me to get into this race share a common concern. Too much time in Madison is wasted on petty partisanship and political maneuvering and little is being done to actually address the issues that affect our daily lives," Gruszynski added.

"Pick an issue that matters: health care, financial stress faced by rural schools, rising fuel and utility costs, business development and job creation, and you will find the outcome is always the same; little or no action because the legislature is grid-locked and won't cooperate," stated Gruszynski.

"Meanwhile, 300 jobs are disappearing at Stora Enso in Niagara, the Florence School District is in critical need of financial support, health insurance is something many in rural Wisconsin still can not afford, or it is inaccessible, and we still don't have a plan for a comprehensive energy policy," Gruszynski explained.

"I was born and raised in Northeast Wisconsin. My values are rooted in the small dairy farm my parents owned and worked all their lives. I learned from them that a willingness to work hard and work together is the first step toward solving problems and getting things done. That is a value I will introduce in the next legislature," Gruszynski pointed out.

Gruszynski, a resident of the Town of Porterfield in Marinette County, has been active in community and state affairs since 1972.

From 1984-94 Gruszynski was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 71st District.

For the past three years, Gruszynski has co-chaired the Future of Farming and Rural Life Project initiated by the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters. The project engaged citizens across Wisconsin in an assessment of rural life and community development and issued a report and recommendations for consideration by state policy makers late last year.

The Future of Farming and Rural Life Project report has been praised by state leaders, business leaders and media throughout Wisconsin for its thoroughness and practical recommendations towards a healthy rural Wisconsin.

The 36th Assembly District includes all of Forest, Florence, and Menominee counties as well as parts of Shawano, Oconto, Marathon and Marinette counties.

The 71st Assembly District seat is now held by Louis Molepske, Jr. Molepske gained the position after Julie Lassa decided to make a successfull try for the Central Wisconsin State Senate seat she now holds.