I would like to thank the Livonia Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to participate in their candidate video interview process. Below you will find the questions and my responses. When they are posted on the CofC's website, I will make sure to post a link. Thank you for your continued interest and support.
Speramus Meliora.
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the Livonia City Council? - My career has given me a unique set of skills and knowledge that I feel obligated to use to help people and our city. Being your next city council member would allow me to fulfill that obligation and serve many people. With the city building skills and tools that I have professionally used in the architectural and construction industries, I will be able to inform our community of Livonia in a positive manner and sheppard our city to be an example to other communities and lead the way in to the 21st century.
What is the biggest issue you are hearing within the business community and how to you intend to address that issue? – The issues I am hearing from the business community are that there is a lack of tax incentives and lack of low interest loans for smaller businesses to open and occupy vacant structures. There is also a lack of tax incentives for committed, well-established businesses within our city to invest and modernize. There has been noted by our businesses an inconsistent level of treatment by city officials related to renovations, building inspection and signage. I would address these issues by proposing and supporting a façade and infrastructure improvement program using the Plymouth Rd corridor as a test model, then expand on that concept. I would also meet with officials from relevant departments to discuss parity of enforcement for all businesses.
If the proposed public safety and senior center millages fail, what would you do to address the projected $6.2 million shortfall in the city's 2012 fiscal year budget? – I would address the projected shortfall by looking at ways of saving operating costs and of generating revenue. Ways of saving costs would be to eliminate city-owned and maintained cars for executive level members of the city government. I would propose an in-depth audit of all city departments to investigate physical and procedural inefficiency as well as the investigation and absorption of redundant tasks and services being performed by multiple agencies. I would expand the current procurement process to have city departments work with other departments when procuring materials. Additionally, Livonia departments would explore working with neighboring cities when procuring necessary materials or hardware so that Livonia can gain a pricing advantage. Regarding ways of generating revenue, I would propose a study to determine the feasibility of opening the Livonia Police firing range to Livonia residents as well as additional neighboring police departments and charging a related access fee. I would also propose a study to determine the feasibility of privatizing the operation, not ownership, of the three City of Livonia golf course as both a cost saver and revenue generator.
How can the city further enhance partnerships with school districts & other communities to consolidate programs and adjust to budget shortages? – We can work on creating a cross-community arts program (akin to the Plymouth-Canton school model); so that Livonia could pool resources to ensure that children who are artistically inclined can have access to the appropriate programs without fear of them being cut. I would also call on the LPS to examine their food procurement procedures to determine if they are capable of saving money by purchasing goods from local vendors, suppliers and farmers that are based in or around Livonia.
Speramus Meliora.
What makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the Livonia City Council? - My career has given me a unique set of skills and knowledge that I feel obligated to use to help people and our city. Being your next city council member would allow me to fulfill that obligation and serve many people. With the city building skills and tools that I have professionally used in the architectural and construction industries, I will be able to inform our community of Livonia in a positive manner and sheppard our city to be an example to other communities and lead the way in to the 21st century.
What is the biggest issue you are hearing within the business community and how to you intend to address that issue? – The issues I am hearing from the business community are that there is a lack of tax incentives and lack of low interest loans for smaller businesses to open and occupy vacant structures. There is also a lack of tax incentives for committed, well-established businesses within our city to invest and modernize. There has been noted by our businesses an inconsistent level of treatment by city officials related to renovations, building inspection and signage. I would address these issues by proposing and supporting a façade and infrastructure improvement program using the Plymouth Rd corridor as a test model, then expand on that concept. I would also meet with officials from relevant departments to discuss parity of enforcement for all businesses.
If the proposed public safety and senior center millages fail, what would you do to address the projected $6.2 million shortfall in the city's 2012 fiscal year budget? – I would address the projected shortfall by looking at ways of saving operating costs and of generating revenue. Ways of saving costs would be to eliminate city-owned and maintained cars for executive level members of the city government. I would propose an in-depth audit of all city departments to investigate physical and procedural inefficiency as well as the investigation and absorption of redundant tasks and services being performed by multiple agencies. I would expand the current procurement process to have city departments work with other departments when procuring materials. Additionally, Livonia departments would explore working with neighboring cities when procuring necessary materials or hardware so that Livonia can gain a pricing advantage. Regarding ways of generating revenue, I would propose a study to determine the feasibility of opening the Livonia Police firing range to Livonia residents as well as additional neighboring police departments and charging a related access fee. I would also propose a study to determine the feasibility of privatizing the operation, not ownership, of the three City of Livonia golf course as both a cost saver and revenue generator.
How can the city further enhance partnerships with school districts & other communities to consolidate programs and adjust to budget shortages? – We can work on creating a cross-community arts program (akin to the Plymouth-Canton school model); so that Livonia could pool resources to ensure that children who are artistically inclined can have access to the appropriate programs without fear of them being cut. I would also call on the LPS to examine their food procurement procedures to determine if they are capable of saving money by purchasing goods from local vendors, suppliers and farmers that are based in or around Livonia.
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