Issues

Complete the Town Center Project

"I will find out where the 5 Million Federal monies to build a transit center money went and why the transit center does not exist today." -Denise McCluskey
 
Next steps for Town Center:

  1. Sell the property to local developers that will meet citizen's standards
  2. Pay off or down the monies borrowed and spent on the Town Center project - NO MORE BORROWING
  3. Account for the monies spent on Town Center to date
  4. Change the leadership at City Hall into a customer service environment that meets the needs of the citizens and not the City Council
  5. Conduct a valid and transparent performance audit of the city or show the real results of the last year's audit.
  6. Encourage the Town Center project through its challenges and market with businesses that are successful in a down turn economy

Economic Recovery-

Business Synergy and Growth

  1. Enhance the blighted business areas outside of the Town Center
  2. Regionally promote UP as a viable place to live and work and shop
  3. Work with local businesses to ensure their success and viability in UP
  4. Establish the infrastructure to encourage business traffic to UPEconomic Development that will encourage a regional customer base;
  • Change from business retention to business growth strategy;
  • Target employment opportunities for development;
  • Diversify business growth with an increases in the retail sector;
  • Improvements to the business sectors outside of the Town Center Project;
  • Lower the city's debt without increases to tax base.

 

Infrastructure-

Sewers- Citizens in our community cannot use their bathrooms due to failing septic systems.  This is unacceptable.  I will take an active and aggressive role in addressing citizen's needs for basic living needs to the County Council. 

  • Sidewalks in our arterial corridors for school children and citizens;
  • Infrastructure Improvements for a regional transit center;
  • Protect open space buffers to preserve our city's beauty, vistas and corridors;
  • A reasonable and cost effective solution to go from septic to sewers;
  • Work with the County Council for a solution to our septic system issues;

 

Public Safety-

Support Local Fire Department;

Maintain our safe streets and walk-able community;

Safe Street Program;

Support local police department.

 

Sustainable Community-

Further enhancements to Parks and Open Spaces;

Restoration of salmon habitat along Chambers Creek;
Saving Historic sites/areas for future generations;

Manage growth to preserve single family residential areas;
Support and encourage all art forms in our community;
Support and encourage a healthy lifestyle through our recreational services.