Present occupation: Kalamazoo City Commissioner, community volunteer

Education: Bachelor of Science – EMU

Background & Experience: Serving third term as a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, 8 years on the Kalamazoo Public School board. Currently on the Community Healing Centers board, the Residential Opportunities, Inc. board, the Kalamazoo Center for Youth and Community board, the capital campaign for Pretty Lake Vacation Camp and am a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer. Past service: YMCA board, Kalamazoo Communities in Schools board among other volunteer activities.

Campaign website address (if applicable): www.barbmiller.com

Questions on Selected Issues - Please be brief; use phrases where possible; adhere to the word limit.

1. Why are you running for Kalamazoo City Commissioner? What is the most significant accomplishment you hope to make during your term on the Commission?
   
   I love Kalamazoo and I believe in this city. We are a caring community. I would like to see Kalamazoo continue to grow and thrive. I enjoy working with city staff, they are dedicated and hard working. They are our greatest asset. Accomplishments over the next two years would be to work towards consolidating services (where we can) county-wide, and continue my work to keep our Parks and Recreation doing the good work they already do. Both of these issues need strong commitment and dedication and I am willing to do the tough work it will take.
   
   
2. What are the most positive characteristics or qualities of Kalamazoo—ones that attract people and businesses and keep them here? How should the Commission capitalize on them?
   
   Kalamazoo is a generous town. We have WMU and K College, the Kalamazoo Promise, our foundations and the arts. Successful small and large businesses contribute to local jobs, taxes and goodwill. The communities in the county are coming together to find ways to work together, we can be a shining beacon for other communities to follow our lead. These qualities make it easy for us to let new people and companies know all that we have to offer. We can capitalize on attracting new businesses by streamlining regulations.
   
   
3. What are the roles of the city and commissioners to ensure that children residing in the community are safe, healthy and educated?
   
   We can and do support our children of all ages through various Parks and Recreation programs. We have summer youth camps, leadership training and a summer work program. I am working on a committee to get more youth services on the eastside of Kalamazoo, it is exciting and much needed work. I support our public schools and Communities in Schools and the great work that they do. Commissioners should be present and encouraging of the work these organizations are doing.
   
   
4. What is the condition of the city infrastructure—basic physical structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, utilities, etc.)? What actions are needed by the Commission in the coming two years to protect or improve them?
   
   Most of the city’s structures are in fine shape. We have been good stewards when it comes to maintaining our buildings. The water and wastewater system pays for itself over time. Our biggest problem is our sidewalks and roads. Winters are tough on our roads, our capital improvement monies often fall short of our actual need. Decreasing the capital improvement monies causes us to patch instead of replace which hurts in the long run. We must no longer start new projects unless they are funded through grants, donations, etc.

The following series of questions were asked of city commission candidates by the Kalamazoo Gazette

1. Why should voters elect you to the Kalamazoo City Commission?

I was born and raised in Kalamazoo. My husband and children have been life long members of this community also. I have been active in my children’s schools, my church and my community. I believe in Kalamazoo and want to see it continue to succeed. I have actively participated in KPS bond issues, justice issues and have served and continue to serve on many boards. I ask tough questions of city administration. I was on the Kalamazoo Public School Board for eight years and I am finishing my third term as a commissioner. The commission is intended to be non-partisan, I am. I will continue to be independent of partisan politics. These combined experiences have shaped me and provided me with a broadened perspective on city issues and budgets and how best to use our resources.

2. What are your top three priorities for the City of Kalamazoo?

The challenge that comes with a dwindling budget while trying to keep up the quality of past city services. We should strive to keep our infrastructure and public safety force at current levels. Our staff is dedicated and and I know that they will try their hardest to continue providing quality services. We should consolidate emergency response into one county-wide service, and work towards county-wide consolidation where it makes sense. This would entail all townships and cities cooperating.

3. The city faces a $6 million budget shortfall over the next two fiscal years. What easy of the budget represents the best potential for cost savings? How can this be accomplished?

Generally, the largest budget item would be the obvious place to cut. In the case of our city, the public safety department would take a big hit. We cannot afford for that to happen. Our citizens need to know and feel that they are safe in our city. We have chosen to cut 10 percent across the board and even that will be hard to do. We are also looking at an early retirement incentive. This has the potential to prevent layoffs. The city offers so much to so many and we need to continue to provide past services on a dwindling budget. We will ask more of our staff and we are asking our citizens to understand that there may be delays in services. I have absolute faith in our staff that they will continue to provide quality services.

4. Are there any city services that should not be subject to cost cutting? If so,what are those areas and why should they be protected?

There are no "sacred cows." We must look at all areas for potential cost cutting. We must keep on the front burner however, the ability to provide top quality public safety and infrastructure that our city residents and businesses have come to expect.

5. On this year’s ballot, voters will be asked if the city’s charter should be amended to make the use of an ounce or less of marijuana by anyone at least 21 years old the least law enforcement priority in Kalamazoo. Do you support or oppose this charter amendment? Please explain your position.

No, I don't support this initiative. Under state law, neither the Michigan Attorney General nor the Governor could prevent the issue from being put on the ballot and the Governor actually wrote a letter saying that he disapproved of the proposal. Our city attorney and Police Chief have concerns about this issue as well. I don't see how an officer would be able to decide what is considered a "least law enforcement priority" when pulling someone over. There is a real potential for lawsuits against the City if the proposed language is added to the Charter.

6. A long-discussed tax measure to fund an arena in downtown Kalamazoo will not be on the ballot this November. But the issue could resurface. Would you support the use of city money — either through direct investment or tax breaks — to fund the arena project?

I supported the ACW project when it was first brought up. I saw no problem putting it before the voters. My only hesitation was what might be expected of the city in terms of infrastructure or ability to assist in the project. From what I have heard, some of the infrastructure issues have been addressed by the developers. A tax break would be easier than assisting with infrastructure issues but, one way or another, the city needs to generate more revenue. I still support the arena idea but, obviously, would prefer that it come with some kind of tax generating revenue. Just dreaming big- what would Kalamazoo look like with an IKEA or a Whole Foods Market in that place? I know Kalamazoo has the people, initiative, talent and resources to go after something like that.

Paid by Barbara Hamilton Miller for Kalamazoo City Commission, Gordon C. Miller, Treasurer 2523 Winchell Kalamazoo, MI 49008