First and foremost, we must believe we can solve the problem and we have to prioritize its solution. We live in a world of abundance not scarcity. The reason these problems are not solved is not because of lack of resources it’s a lack of moral and value driven priorities. Specifically, I’m interested in exploring multiple solutions including but not limited to: Tiny houses, Fair Chance and Fair Housing, stopping “source of income” discrimination and working with service organizations, stakeholders, and property owners to continue to protect our most vulnerable residents.
PFAS – what is the Health Department’s responsibility?
We all want to have access to safe and clean drinking water. The recent response in Parchment was a good example of government officials coming together in a crisis for the good of the people. I believe the health department has an ongoing responsibility to continue monitoring and testing municipalities in Michigan and dealing with the subsequent results.
Is the Hazardous Waste program effective?
Out environment must be a top priority. If we don’t have a planet we don’t have anything. The hazardous waste program may be working but it’s still imperative that we innovate and improve all our programs to take care of our environment the best that we can the way it cares for us.
What would you do to support an increased recycling effort in the county?
Talk about it. I think government can help in ways with public advocacy because we have access to communicate with the public at large. I think the County can encourage recycling. We can provide information on how and where to recycle. We can make it easier to recycle by improving our currently existing programs.
Do you support the resurrection of the Arena project for downtown Kalamazoo?
I am inclined to think that we do not need a new arena downtown. I am not fully decided and look forward to a robust debate with all parties involved and interested as well as further personal research on my part.