COMMUNITY
We have an abundance of fertile working land in our section of the county.  If we want that land to continue working--as farmland, water source protection, flood control and wildlife habitat, we have to take a stand for it now.  For the last twenty years I have worked to protect working land and open spaces.  For the last three years I have chaired the Washtenaw County Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee (ALPAC) and also chair the Northfield Township Land Preservation Committee.  I support the renewal of the Natural Areas Preservation Program and the Washtenaw County Conservation District millage that will be on the ballot this year.

Hand-in-hand with conservation of working and natural lands are healthy urban areas and hamlets.  Areas with existing infrastructure bear the burden of disinvestment when developers build just outside where corn grew last year.  Encouraging affordable infill development creates healthy economic growth that benefits us all, whether we live in town or out in the country.

Whether in the rural areas or the more urban areas, residents need jobs that pay their bills, and optimally, give them satisfaction. I support policies that encourage small businesses to prosper, including the remediation of contaminated lands, talent development programs such as Michigan Works! and the efforts of Destination Ann Arbor. Many County services address quality of life:  parks, land preservation, water quality, transit, child development and mental health services.  For those who are struggling to find a decent job or make ends meet, I work to remove barriers to economic, educational and health security. I meet with residents regularly to learn about the opportunities and challenges they experience to ensure that the work we do at the Board of Commissioners is relevant and responsive to our community.