Issues

Affordable Housing

I’m not an expert on affordable housing developments, but I believe everyone deserves a home. One thing I know from talking to local experts on the issue, is that homelessness and housing instability is not an “over there” problem. Just because we don’t see these issues in Dexter the same way they can be seen in larger cities, does not mean they are not there not here. This issue is not isolated to the debate surrounding the Avalon Housing project. We have teachers, public employees, local service workers and many others who can no longer afford to call Dexter home. We also have Dexter elders who after having spent their lifetimes here face challenges due to the rising cost of living. Some are looking to downsize with nowhere affordable to go and some have been renters for years, whose fixed incomes are outpaced by the rapid increase in rental costs we’ve seen all over Washtenaw County. With regard to the Avalon Housing development, Faith In Action has a 40 year history of helping local families, and by partnering with Avalon Housing, they have an opportunity to strengthen their services. Bottom line, I believe we owe it to our neighbors to support housing opportunities for people at all incomes and life stages.

City Facilities

Upgrading our fire facility is an issue that has been actively on City Council’s agenda for far too long. A path forward needs to be agreed upon swiftly as our firefighters deserve better than what their current, outdated space provides. Similarly, our city offices are also in need of an upgrade. City employees work in a cramped office with inadequate meeting areas, and as the Copeland Building was recently sold, we will soon be without a dedicated public meeting space. This also begs the question, what happens to our Senior Center, which is normally a hub of activity and a provider of community services. 

Land Use/Charter Amendment

It’s easy to see our cap on growth is near. With very little open space left within the city limits, we need to make sure we are using what we do have wisely and only after exhaustive community input. 

With that said, I believe the proposed charter amendment goes too far and impedes the ability of our government to do its job. With its broad language, it would hold up operations beyond the scope of its intended purpose. For example, as written, the city would no longer be able to sell any property, not just land. As citizens, do we want or need to vote each time an aging piece of equipment goes up for sale? I don’t really think so. And even on the land side of things, in a town as close knit as this one, there has to be a better way to gauge community support than delaying real estate deals for up to six months. I’ve often heard from people that council “kicks the can down the road” too much. Approving this charter amendment would only exacerbate that problem, in my opinion.  

Citizen Participation

You may have heard from one of my opponents that we have a government transparency problem here in Dexter. That simply is not true.

At the local level where decisions often have a direct and immediate impact on our lives, citizen participation is essential, and our City Council understands that. If you’ve ever looked at one of their packets, it’s clear that our current elected officials are providing us with more information than the average person could ever need on every major issue that arises.

When issues move forward, they hold public hearings, and they listen to each person who shows up to be heard, no matter how long it takes.

Further, when a project is implemented, city staff makes every effort to engage with residents in the neighboring areas, not stopping until they are confident everyone knows the plan and what to expect.

My experience working in the Michigan State Senate taught me that actively engaging the community in government is an ever-present challenge.

If elected, one of my biggest priorities would be to build on what is already being done by council and staff to further ensure the voices of our residents are heard, counted on and respected.