Financial Responsibility
It’s simple. We must live within our means; if we can’t afford it, we shouldn’t do it. This principle does not mean, however, that we should not invest in infrastructure. If spending a dollar today saves two tomorrow, I’m all for it.
If you want a City Council representative who will think long term and focus relentlessly on the bottom line, then Vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Development
Ann Arbor needs to balance progress and preservation. I support downtown density and economic development, but believe that that progress must be consistent with Ann Arbor’s character. Ann Arbor’s greatness lies in its balance — its mix of commerce and community; its charm and vitality. That’s why I’m in favor of reasonable downtown height limits that respect surrounding neighborhoods. My opponent has voted against any hard limit on downtown buildings.
Our development process too often ill serves citizens and developers alike. I support early citizen participation and quicker approval of quality proposals.
Finally, we need to encourage developers and the owners of existing buildings to adopt green practices — it’s good for the environment and it’s good for business. Ann Arbor should lead the way in a partnership with the Downtown Development Authority with programs to fund LEED and LEED-EB certification costs.
If you want to preserve Ann Arbor’s character but also recognize that Ann Arbor cannot thrive without economic development, then vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Environment & Parks
I applaud Recycle Ann Arbor, but we must do more. I will work to expand residential recycling and to encourage widespread commercial recycling.
Renewable energy is obviously central to any plan for a sustainable Ann Arbor. I support and will work to create a program to attract state and federal dollars to Ann Arbor to encourage the purchase and installation of solar panels.
Ann Arbor is blessed with over 2000 acres of parks, which are vital to our quality of life. That central role, however, depends upon proper maintenance. The basics matter — mow the grass, repair and improve sports facilities, 24-hour graffiti removal. I will work to ensure that our parks receive the care they deserve.
I support the Greenbelt Program and am proud of Ann Arbor’s ongoing commitment to fight sprawl and promote infill development. The soft real estate market provides us an exciting opportunity to aggressively leverage regional cooperation and federal grant programs to purchase development rights to strategic properties. It is fiscally responsible to act now; we should do so.
If you treasure parks and believe that Ann Arbor should lead in the sensible preservation of the environment, then vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Neighborhoods
I believe that everyone in Ann Arbor should have a safe, clean neighborhood. That’s why I support and will work towards ensuring that Ann Arbor’s Police and Community Standards Officers are responsive and efficient.
As your representative on City Council I will actively listen to your concerns to learn what issues are important to you and your neighborhood. I wouldn’t be in this race if I didn’t want to help. I will also provide regular and accurate information about issues that confront us all.
Finally, I promise to represent the whole Third Ward. Too many citizens feel as if the City just doesn’t care about their communities; I do. I will work to ensure that all voices are heard and that no neighborhood is ignored.
If you want a Councilmember who is dedicated to the vitality of your neighborhood and committed to active, two-way communication, then vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Human Services and Affordable Housing
The sad truth is that Ann Arbor has become the government of last resort for so many. With the Bush administration’s failure of leadership and the State government’s financial turmoil, the necessity to care for the needy falls upon us. Unfortunately, although Ann Arbor’s commitment to these populations is deep, we cannot spend what we do not have.
I believe that Ann Arbor is and must remain a leader in its dedication and commitment to provide efficient services to, and encourage the availability of affordable housing for, persons in need. Because financial responsibility necessitates limited spending, we must take an integrated, regional approach to leverage resources and expertise to assist the disadvantaged. In addition to partnering with other governmental units, we must coordinate with the private sector and dedicated nonprofits in order to extend a hand up. Caring for people in need is a public good that betters us all.
If you want Ann Arbor to provide smart and efficient human services, then vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Police/Courts Building Ballot Initiative
It is important to separate the issue of whether the Police/Courts building is a wise project from whether we should put the question to a referendum.
The initiative’s proponents describe themselves as “a group of citizens who believe this significant long term decision requires a referendum vote.” That’s a principled position, but I do not believe that it is wise.
Consider this: would the City benefit from a policy whereby every bond issuance required referendum approval? Would the City have benefited by delaying the February 2008 issuance of $54 million in bonds to safeguard our sewage and water infrastructure by requiring a popular vote? Would the City have benefited by delaying the $24 million in construction bonds for the new maintenance center on Ellsworth Road? If all bonds were put up to a vote, the City’s infrastructure investment — its investment in our future — would grind to a halt and could fall victim to political pressure. I believe that requiring that bonds be approved by referendum would hurt the City and hamstring its ability to serve the public.
If you believe that we elect Councilmembers to lead, then vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Chickens
As you may know, my opponent introduced and worked hard to pass an ordinance to allow the keeping of backyard chickens. Let’s leave for a moment the question of whether our neighborhoods will be improved or harmed by the introduction of chickens. I tend to think that farm animals belong on the farm, but in all honesty, I think we can agree the absence of chickens was not a real problem confronting our City.
City government has limited time and resources. We should direct the efforts of City government towards areas where they can do the most good for the most people. To propose, research, draft, debate and enforce (remember, we don’t have any Animal Control Officers) an ordinance such as this requires hundreds of person-hours, person-hours that we pay for and that we should direct towards real solutions to real problems — such as fixing potholes or sidewalks, ensuring smart development, improving commercial recycling, streamlining City services, the list goes on and on. This proposal, now ordinance, wastes two precious resources — time and energy. Let’s focus on issues that matter.
If you believe that we elect Councilmembers to propose real solutions to real problems, then vote Taylor on Tuesday August 5.
Want more?
If you are concerned about an issue that I haven’t addressed here, please write or call; I am eager to listen.