More of your questions answered!

What a hectic and fun couple of days this has been!

Tonight’s Meet and Greet was fabulous!  Jill, Lorraine… thank you!  I was reacquainted with many friends (my, how campaigning saps one’s social life) and met new ones as well.  Lovely food, lively conversations. 

Someone asked me what I have learned the most over the last few weeks.  Here’s the short list:

1. Access to the internet is limited in the county.  I had thought this was an isolated problem in a few parts of the county.  However, a number of residents  - from different parts of the county - have mentioned this to me.  The Internet was supposed to be the great equalizer - allowing everyone access to a wealth of information and a providing an avenue for expression (this web log is an example of that!).  While there are issues of inequality related to illiteracy, access to computers, and corporations bent on trying to control the content we see, there is a weak infrastructure which we need to contend with. 

2. Alternative transportation.  My electric car has arrived (more on that soon) and I have been hearing more and more complaints about the high cost of fuel.  Although residents mentioned it occasionally at first, the battle cry for alternative transportation is getting louder.  Yes!  I asked gubernatorial candidate Jill Long Thompson on Monday evening if Monroe County could just have its share of the “I-69 money” - we could use it to build light rail throughout the county.  She seems pretty set on new terrain I-69.  Thanks to Mark Stoops and Sophia Travis for holding a press conference with Kevin Enright (our county surveyor) last Saturday.  Kevin has a great map which shows a shorter route from Port Huron Michigan to Laredo Texas - all via interstates.  We need to determine the best way to prevent I-69 from happening.  Let’s invest in transportation of the FUTURE, instead of a dinosaur (highway) from the past!

3. It is very difficult to balance work with campaigning.  I wasn’t surprised by this, I just thought it would be more managable.  There are numerous forums, breakfasts, meet and greets, meetings, news conferences, “extra” voting days, dinners, and similar events which crowd the calendar all too quickly.  Many of them arise at the very last minute.  That is the aspect of this balancing act which I had not anticipated wouldbe so common.  With most events, work is juggled, the event attended, and then I return to work until 2 am or so to get everything done.   Every so often, I have to miss an event because I cannot simply adjust my work schedule.  A great example of this was today.  I had planned for weeks to attend the Karst Farm accessible playground ribbon cutting ceremony.  Unfortunately, a printer needed to be repaired.  Although the client appreciated this, I missed another great event.  Sometimes there are multiple events I wish to attend.  A great example of this: Saturday May 3.  A series of seminars/speakers on the topic ”No Jail” (great idea!), early voting at the Curry building, the farmers’ market, and a great list of doors to knock on. 

The learning process continues.  Note that the first two I listed came from county residents.  That’s where learning will take place and continue, should I be so fortunate as to be elected to this office.

A county resident wrote to tell me that he hasn’t seen any county government representatives out where he lives.  That brought to mind the fun I had last Saturday at the Stinesville “meet and greet”, hosted by the Stinesville Fire Corps.  Firehouses seem to be at the center of townships/towns in the county.  I would appreciate the opportunity to travel to various firehouses to hold public meetings.  I love to listen!  If I am elected, I plan to keep a finger on the pulse of the county.  Yes, residents can always come to me, but I also need to go to them.   

Please ensure that your friends are getting out to vote!  Early voting continues at the Curry building.  I have heard reports that it is getting busier there.  If you are reminding someone to vote, please remind them to vote local, not just national!  And please explain why the County Council, Commissioner, and judicial races are so important to our future!

Responding to Questions…

I receive a number of questions via my camapgin e-mail address (thomasforcouncil@gmail.com) and I enjoy the process of answering them.  Some of the questions remind me of the New York Times crossword puzzle - challenging and, in the end, a learning experience.

A County resident submitted a number of questions / concerns and although they asked for the issues to be addressed directly on my campaign website, I felt it more appropriate to answer them here, on the blog.

First, there is a concern about the conditions of the county roads, especially in the furthest reaches of the county.  The county highway department is responsible for the maintenance of all of the bridges in the county (including those in the city) and more than 650 miles of county roads.  While the highway department reports directly to the county commissioners, the budget for the highway department is approved by the county council.

When the roads are in a state of disrepair (potholes, erosion, etc.), the highway department should be contacted at 825-5355.  The department will let you know if the roads in question are scheduled for repair or repaving and when the work is scheduled.  If it’s not yet scheduled, they will take note of your concerns and will investigate any problems.   As a county resident, I have called the department in the past when I’ve encountered potholes on our roads or were concerned with eroding roadway edges.  These problems were addressed in a timely manner - in most cases within 24 hours!  What great service!  Although the highway department has a limited budget (as do all county departments), they are able to respond effectively to the needs of county residents.  

In general, improvements to county roads (in terms of creating wider roads) occurs when there is an increase in traffic flow requiring that these roads be widened (for safety reasons).   Again, these concerns can be investigated by the county highway department - traffic flow can be studied and alterations to the roadways scheduled, if needed.

The next question concerns the very important topic of internet access.  In the outlying areas of the county, the infrastructure for telephone and DSL connections is rather limited.  Typically, these areas are updated last and competing companies don’t focus on population areas of lower density.  Telecommunications contracts are negotiated by the county commissioners (they are the legislative branch in the county).  In addition, it’s important to note that consumers may have other options, including satellite-based internet access and broadband access (via cellular telephone towers).  However, both are limited in applicability, depending on where one lives.

The last question concerns the discharge of firearms in the county.  Although prohibited in the city, the discharge of firearms in the county is limited (based on the density of the residential area), but legal.  Again, i would recommend bringing this issue to the attention of the county commissioners.  As the the legislative arm of county government, they are in a position to consider any changes to the firearms ordinance in the county. 

I hope these responses are helpful.  Please drop me a note via e-mail or reply to this blog entry if you have any further questions on these topics or others. 

 

Local Races and Endorsements (and why they matter)!

I have had the pleasure of meeting many fine folks at the Farmers’ Market over the last few weeks.  Some of the comments and questions I hear most often revolve around local races (vs the national race) and candidate endorsements.

A few folks had voted early (hooray!), but then informed me that they only voted for President, or only in the Presidential and gubenatorial candidates.  I have also fielded questions about who can vote in the primary.  The answer: any registered voter in Monroe County.  We have somehow, as a society, failed to inform our voters about the importance of local races and how the primary system operates.  I would appreciate hearing suggestions from anyone who has ideas on how to create a cultural shift on residents’ knowledge of local politics.

When I have pointed out to prospective voters that I have been endorsed by both the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Democracy for Monroe County, I have been asked: what does that mean?

The Democratic Women’s Caucus does not randomly endorse democrats based on their sex.  While a candidate must be a female Democrat, an applicant for endorsement must be progressive (on issues such as civil rights, GLBTQ equality, gender equality, class equality, reproductive rights, etc.).  A candidate must have a demonstrated track record of community service, and promise to help mentor future candidates.  The written application is followed by an interview. 

Applicants for endorsement by Democracy for Monroe County are similarly vetted.  There is an extensive questionnaire where both a candidates past experiences and political philosphy are explored.  Again, not everyone who applies is accepted.

I am proud to be endorsed by both the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Democracy for Monroe County.  I align absolutely with the political philosphy of both groups, and appreciate all that they do to train, recruit, and support Democratic candidates.  Please consider joining both groups - you will not only meet a wonderful group of people who are committed to improving their community, you will learn a great deal about politics - both local and national.

 

19 Days to go!

Voting for the Primary ends in just 19 days!

One comment I have heard often is: “I live in the city, so I can’t vote for you.”

Not true!  City residents are County residents.  Since this is an at-large race, I am running in the entire County, including the city of Bloomington.

This comment points to the importance of civic engagement.  Part of civic engagement is educating residents on their county government - who is responsible for what and how various departments and entities function.

More soon!

It has been a great week!

The campaigning continues - with a number of events (it seems!) every night, and door-to-door campaigning, it has taken a week for me to get back to the blog.

This great week culminated in the first Farmers’ market of the season!  As I drove into town this morning, the sun was burning off patchy fog.  It was absolutely lovely to see this over the green fields in my neighborhood.     It is exciting to be back at the Showers Plaza to shop for fresh produce, eggs, dairy, spices, flowers, etc.   I have attended a few of the Winter Market events at Harmonty school this year - and I really appreciated the ability to attend a farmers’ market in February!  But there is something different about being outdoors for a market.  Even though the pickings are slim this time of year (but no less tasty!) with eggs, greens and sweet potatoes available, there were tons of folks at the market today!  The community gathered to reconnect with old friends and to make new ones.  There was also a feeling of hope among the shoppers today - the opening of the market is significant as a clear sign of the arrival olf spring.

All day long today, as I made my way through the city and across the campus, people were outside in droves.  It is like an entirely different community when we are able to enjoy the outdoors in droves.  It is great to emerge from winter!

Today’s event was the forum organized by Citizens for Effective Justice (CEJ) held at the Monroe County Puiblic Library.  Candidates in the Judicial, Commissioner, and County Council races were invited to attend, and to answer specific questions presented by the organization and audience questions as well.  It was difficult not to notice the absence of Republican candidates at the event.  They were invited, but, as a group (apparently) chose not to attend. What a disappointment.

Oversight of the Criminal Justice system (Law Enforcement, the Prosecutor’s office, and the Courts) is a very important part of the County government’s tasks.  The jail is currently over-crowded.  There are proponents of building a new jail on the former Thompson property site.  Others argue that if we build it, we’ll fill it.  The problem, in my view, extends beyond the problem of jail over-crowding.  It is about how we feel as a society about those who are incarcerated.  Yes, we need jails (and prisons) - the safety of our community depends on the incarcertation of offenders (especially those who are violent).  However, we cannot warehouse human beings.  The United Sates has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with 1% of our national population in the prison system. 

We need to think much more creatively about how to best re-integrate offenders into our community once they have completed their sentence.  This effort needs to begin while the offender is in jail, and it needs to continue after the inmate’s release. 

I will be writing more about  this issue in the next few days.  But the forum was a great learning event - and there is a great deal more for us to learn!