GETTING TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES

The Telegram News is encouraging voters to learn more about the candidates that will be on the November 2nd ballot. This week the candidates are

Amy Atwood running for Taylor City Council and Leslie C. Herrick running for Dearborn City Council.

Name: Amy Atwood

City: Taylor

Candidate Position: City Council

1. What are your personal goals once elected?

My most important issues are, lack of transparency in city government, outsourcing job like tree trimming, that can be done by city employees. Killing the unions by paying employees more if they don't join the union.

2.Infrastructure is the basic physical and organizational structure and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise; how will you build infrastructure in poverty-ridden communities?

The city needs to improve its city services in all neighborhoods. Evaluate roads and sidewalks. It now just cherry-picks a certain area as they do with the "Good to Great" neighborhoods. We all pay taxes, and we all deserve good city services.

3. How could those funds, heavy in the Police Department, be better used throughout the city?

The police department needs to be reevaluated not defunded. You cannot take away pensions that have already been awarded. The infamous DROP program was voted on in 2012. But when the same names seem to keep cropping up in lawsuits against the city, it needs to be investigated.

4. How can we deter crime?

I believe we need more police presence in the neighborhoods. We have auxiliary police that are volunteers that could visit neighborhoods.

5. What value do you see in food banks and homeless shelters?

I believe we need to help the homeless and get them medical assistance when needed. And the State needs to open facilities so they can get counseling and the help they need.

6. Where can improvements be made in education programs?

School programs are handled by the school board and superintendent. The city government has nothing to do with school programs. I would like to see internships at City Hall that would allow students to assist in certain areas like the City of Taylor Website, the Media Center and the IT department.

7. How can citizens play a role in the community?

I Would like to see more residents come to council meetings and Study Sessions. Volunteer for various commissions. Hopefully the commissions will be filled by residents who care about the city.

Name: Leslie C. Herrick

City: Dearborn

Candidate Position:

City Council

1. The budget is heavy in the Police Department, how could those funds be better used throughout the city?

The citizens of Dearborn have outstanding public safety services, provided by the Police Department and the Firefighter Paramedics / EMS of the Dearborn Fire Department. Dearborn’s Police department provides great value to the City, providing a variety of services to protect and serve residents, businesses, and the thousands of visitors to enter the city each day to work, shop, attend school, or visit our national tourist attractions. To increase public services without significantly increasing the burden on Dearborn taxpayers, the Police department should expand on its already successful partnerships with other communities (i.e. as coordinator of a regional 911 emergency dispatch center), nonprofit organizations (i.e. the full time social worker who works in the Police department in a position funded by the nonprofit organization First Step to assist women and families), and through additional creative funding solutions such as additional grant opportunities to address social issues we face in today’s society.

2. Infrastructure is the basic physical and organizational structure and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, how will you build infrastructure in poverty-ridden communities?

I have worked hard on Council to maintain and improve Dearborn’s infrastructure, parks, and pools. I am pushing for a city-wide sustainability plan that includes flood mitigation measures and resources for residents. I’ve fought to keep funding for Dearborn pools despite falling revenues, invested in enhanced pools with additional aquatic features, sought space and donors to help fund new splash pads at parks in Dearborn’s South End, pushed to work with a new contractor to expand free and low-cost arts programming while reducing impact on city budget, supported Dearborn’s new multi-modal transit plan to increase transportation options and make roadways safer and more accessible to bikes. I will continue this advocacy and work to identify new resources, such as grants, to further improve Dearborn’s infrastructure.

3. How can we deter crime?

I will continue to press for stronger traffic enforcement and traffic safety measures on Dearborn’s streets to promote public safety, as well as supporting the other varied initiatives of the Dearborn Police Department. However, a safe community involves not only strong public safety services, but also supporting the growth and development opportunities for residents. I have worked on City Council as an advocate for Dearborn residents, helping to promote employment opportunities, supporting local businesses, and providing recreational and cultural enrichment opportunities across the city. I’ve pushed for more transparent, easy-to-navigate City and Police Department websites to provide public safety information in multiple languages and expand resident participation in city programs and commissions. I will continue to make Dearborn a destination city in the region, promoting those things that help deter crime and improve quality of life.

4. What value do you see in food banks and homeless shelters?

I am proud of Dearborn’s responsiveness and success in providing the supplies Dearborn residents need in emergency situations including the pandemic, power outages, and drastic flooding. For example, in the past year, the Police and Fire Departments have taken the lead in distributing food, dry ice, masks and Covid tests, and flood cleanup supplies. For months in 2021, Dearborn operated a well managed regional vaccination center. The city partners with the nonprofit organization First Step to provide housing to women and children escaping domestic violence. The Police Department maintains critical partnerships with several providers of emergency housing shelter.

5. Where can improvements be made in education programs?

The public schools fall under the school board for oversight, but I stand with the school board in supporting their efforts to improve educational access and outcomes for residents.

6. How can citizens play a role in the community?

I’ve been honored to work along side many members of the community who have taken an active role in improving Dearborn. Some ways involve running for office, serving on commissions, volunteering with city programs, forming and engaging with their local block clubs, joining one of Dearborn’s many civic organizations that work to improve quality of life, patronizing local businesses, participating in round table discussions when announced by the Downtown Development Authority or community partners when they seek input when developing plans for city streetscapes or major building projects, or simply making a pubic comment in response to a matter pertaining to city business when it is on an agenda at a City Council meeting.

7. What are your personal goals once elected?

I plan to continue the work I started when first elected four years ago to work towards enhancing the quality of life for all who live, work or visit Dearborn. This includes:

· Maintain Dearborn’s fantastic public safety services and clean, safe neighborhoods;

· Expand arts, cultural and recreation opportunities and green spaces;

· Build thriving business corridors welcoming to all

· Improve government transparency and widen public participation

· Protect the environment and property values

· Provide additional resources to help local businesses grow as our city and economy recover from pandemic and flooding challenges

· Update sewer and water infrastructure, introduce a comprehensive sustainability plan, and provide resources for residents and businesses to better manage watershed and prevent flooding

· Enhance website and use of new technology and online services;

· Expand transparency and opportunities for wider resident participation in commissions and committees

· Increase partnerships with community organizations to provide support and resources our residents need, including mental health services;

· Maintain a balanced budget through fiscal responsibility and providing tax relief to residents.

Candidates that are on the November 2nd ballot that would like to be featured in the Telegram can send an email to [email protected] for more information,