Decorum & City Reputation
The Mayor chairs the council meetings and has the responsibility to maintain order without stifling dissenting opinions. Shouting and name calling have no place at the council table. Those of you who have watched me during council meetings know that I always conduct myself professionally. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and has the right to speak. Council decisions are more sound when diverse viewpoints are encouraged and heard during deliberation.
We also must repair the public perception of our city. Over the past four years, civility has lost its meaning at the council table and I believe it has come at a great cost. It has spurred negative media coverage and, more importantly, it has affected how residents view our own city. I truly believe we can tackle issues without attacking each other. Eastpointers have a lot to offer and if we take the time to hear each other, others will see it too.
Financial Sustainability
Our city must plan for the long-term needs of the residents and I understand the challenges facing our community. Our pension fund remains underfunded and it’s up to us to tackle this problem today so our city can afford to staff our police officers, DPW workers, and other civil servants that we need tomorrow.
Infrastructure
One of our most pressing city issues is infrastructure. We need to be more aggressive with planning and implementation. We live in an older community, which means we have significant assets in need of repair. I want to further develop our long-term plans to fix our roads, sewers and public safety buildings. We need to be proactive to ensure the health and safety of our current and future residents. Longevity is key.
Improving Our City
I voted to improve our parks, support public safety and invest in the arts to promote our community and encourage growth. I continue to fight to protect our home values by working to keep our streets clean and our neighborhoods safe because you deserve to be rewarded for the commitment you have made to our city. We must keep Eastpointe vibrant in order to attract new families and businesses.
Transparency
As a councilmember, I challenged the basis for closed session and insisted on open discussion when a closed session was not warranted. As an attorney, I understand the nuances of the Open Meetings Act (OMA). I recognize the legal dangers of decision making behind closed doors and the lawsuits that can follow.
I have a firm belief in open discussion and encourage debate at the table. The OMA enumerates specific topics exempt from public discussion. For example, council can go into closed session for union contract negotiations, discussion on pending litigation or personnel evaluations. These exemptions make sense because they are necessary to preserve the negotiating power of the local unit or protect the privacy of an employee.
If there is no city interest in confidentiality, then I believe deliberations should proceed in public. Administration (rightfully so), will put qualifying items on the agenda for closed session discussion. Some might not realize that it is actually the decision of council whether or not to utilize closed session. There is no requirement to ever go into closed session on any topic. I will vote for closed session when it is necessary, but I will never use closed session just because it is permissible under the OMA.