Michael is committed to the Mercer Island First Response teams that provide immediate care and protection of life and property on Mercer Island.
Q: What are your thoughts on defunding first responders
A: Michael believes that First Response teams should be Mercer Island centric, not off-island shared resources. When emergencies occur, time is critical. Having and taking care of our First Response teams will ensure that Mercer Islanders receive the care and protection needed to quickly save lives and protect property.
As Mercer Island grows and our community evolves, it’s possible to expand our retail sector and deliver development that maintains our community identity. This requires input and engagement from our community, negotiation and leadership with developers, and collaborative efforts all around.
Q: What are your thoughts about added development?
A: Michael believes in expanding downtown growth using concepts that match the character of our city. Michael will approach city growth in a systems design manner, evaluating traffic and school patterns, density, and most of all, hearing the voice of Mercer Islanders and your input.
Q: Does Michael support the expansion of retail business on Mercer Island?
A: Supporting a strong retail business base on Mercer Island creates a vibrant, diverse community, keeps Islanders on Mercer Island, and boosts our city tax revenues. Once elected to the City Council, Michael will be focused on working with local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to create new retail opportunities that enhance the character of Mercer Island.
Michael enjoys the Mercer Island Park system as much as every Islander does. He will work to ensure that the Parks system stays vibrant and accessible to all Islanders
Q: How does Michael feel about the preservation of parkland?
A: Public property is invaluable and should be preserved for future generations. Michael does not support selling or reducing any public assets or parkland and will support adding assets to the City’s portfolio.
Michael has spent his career making data-driven decisions. You’ll see him taking that same approach with the city budget. Michael will work with the City Council and City Manager to ensure data-driven decisions are made and that full transparency of city expenditures to reduce costs and maximize the return to Mercer Island citizens are known.
Q: Is the city really facing a deficit? How would you manage it?
A: At this time, no, we have positive funds! Smart and consistent future planning needs to happen to ensure the funds are allocated and spent wisely.
We have a unique opportunity to raise fiscal awareness and move forward with a well thought out, balanced spending plan. Raising taxes should not be the first step to balance the budget nor should it be the first idea to surface on fiscal discussions, it should be the last. Before we add this burden to Mercer Island residents, Michael wants to ensure all city expenditures are reviewed to identify possible cost reductions and more efficient ways to run our city.
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