Let's Talk About...
Here's where I share my perspective on the issues facing Summit.
Don't let me do ALL of the talking - I want to hear YOUR THOUGHTS! Email me!
Let's Talk Downtown
Downtowns and malls throughout the nation are struggling with how to
address pressures from online retail. But a vibrant downtown is not
only vital for landlords and their business tenants – it is important for
all Summit residents. The greater the share of the city budget that is
covered by commercial taxes, the lower the share that must be covered
by residential taxes. Moreover, a walkable and historic downtown is
attractive to homebuyers, works to shore up property values and
improves our quality of life.
Summit has a great downtown, but there is always room for
improvement. The time is now to be proactive, rather than reactive.
I have tangible, pragmatic ideas for helping our downtown thrive. My
running mates, Marjorie Fox and Matt Gould, and I have developed a
position paper with our ideas for the downtown. Here are the
highlights:
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Create an Economic Development Committee on Common Council
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Look at tax incentives that encourage commercial property owners fill vacant storefronts
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Create a business concierge to identify new businesses and help them get started in Summit
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Streamline the permitting process for new businesses
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Encourage residential use of upper floors of downtown buildings
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Utilize public spaces in the downtown for cultural events
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Consider changes in the Development Regulations Ordinance (DRO) to allow for entertainment uses in the downtown
Let's Talk Taxes
Yes, I am running as a Democrat. No, I do NOT want to raise your taxes.
As I walk door to door to meet you and hear your thoughts, it is clear that Summit’s high property taxes are a big concern. I’ve heard it from Democrats, Republicans and Independents. And I am listening.
Keeping Summit affordable will be one of my top priorities on Council. An economically and demographically diverse population is one of Summit’s key assets. I am committed to making sure senior citizens, young working people, families and empty nesters all have a place in our community.
I will approach our high residential taxes as follows:
1. Commit to fiscal responsibility in the spending of our tax dollars. I take the responsibility of spending your hard earned tax dollars seriously. On issues of spending, I promise to do the research, ask the hard questions and evaluate all decisions on two principles: Is it necessary? Does it provide a common good to Summit residents? One recent decision I disagreed with was Council’s decision to borrow more than $300,000 for decorative cobblestone paving on Beechwood Road. Click HERE to learn more.
2. Strengthen our existing commercial tax base. Actively supporting downtown businesses is a win-win. A vibrant downtown makes Summit a great place to live and successful, thriving businesses bring in more tax revenue. If you haven’t seen it yet, please take a moment to read this position paper This is What We Stand For: Bringing New Ideas to Make Downtown Summit Thrive.
3. Support thoughtful redevelopment in the Broad Street corridor. Summit’s planning board recently moved forward with designating this corridor as an “Area in Need of Redevelopment.” If approved by Council, it means that we can look at redeveloping this area with multi-use properties encompassing retail, entertainment, apartments and parking to extend the downtown business district. Well-planned and thoughtful development in this area could bring additional tax revenues to Summit’s coffers and take the pressure off residential taxes.
4. Continue to foster a working relationship with Union County. This may sound simple, but it’s important. Why? Because Summit’s Council has no control over the taxes that are paid to the county. In the past, demands made by Summit residents and past Councils have not been successful. The way to move forward is to work collaboratively with the county to ensure that Summit county taxes come back to benefit Summit residents. Mayor Radest has been instrumental in bringing county money to Summit in the form of a grant for the new Senior Center, a commitment to re-turf Glenside Fields, monies toward the completion of the Tatlock tennis courts and the finalization of the lease for the Transfer Station property.
I am committed to keeping Summit affordable with reasonable residential property taxes, tax money coming back into Summit from Union County and thoughtful spending. As always, I welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing from you.
Let's Talk Safety
Specifically, Pedestrian & Traffic Safety
One of the reasons many of us live in Summit is its walkability. We walk in our downtown, in our neighborhoods, to the train and to our schools. In meeting you, I have learned that pedestrian and traffic safety are among your top concerns. I am right there with you. All four of my children walk or have walked to school every day. I walk downtown daily, and my husband walked to the train for many years. Additionally, two of my teenagers now drive (yikes!). Keeping Summit walkers and drivers safe is a great example of why local politics matter. On Council, I pledge to prioritize pedestrian and traffic safety, work with the Summit Police Department, and together create a safer walkable and drivable Summit.
As a former prosecutor, I have forged strong working relationships with police departments. The Summit Police Department (SPD) is a gem in our community, and I’ve already met with Chief Weck to begin to understand the issues we face. Last spring, SPD formed a Traffic Safety Unit to gather information and address traffic safety issues in our City. I am committed to the initiatives undertaken by the SPD, as well as proposals under the Master Plan that encompass measures for improving pedestrian safety by increasing sidewalks and bike lanes.
The Summit Police Department has identified the “3 E’s” as the key to addressing pedestrian and traffic safety:
Education
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Conduct traffic studies in congested areas
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Reinforce safe behaviors
Enforcement
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Increase police presence in identified traffic areas
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Issue more summonses for traffic violations
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Focus on reducing testing while driving
Engineering
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Widen intersections as a traffic calming measure
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Install four-way stop signs where appropriate
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Also consider speed tables, flashing lights at crosswalks and motion activated stop signs
Council’s role is to evaluate and approve spending for these types of initiatives. As with all decisions I would make on Council, I will be looking for the most cost effective solutions with the biggest impact on the largest number residents of Summit. I will be looking for ways to reduce unnecessary or decorative spending, so we may instead concentrate your hard-earned property tax dollars on your top priorities
Let’s keep Summit’s walkers and drivers safe, together.
Let's Talk FDK
I Support Equity in Education for Summit
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Our current tuition-based full day kindergarten (FDK) was instituted as a pilot program in 2013 after universal free FDK was narrowly defeated in a Board of Education vote.
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The pilot has expanded so that today more than two-thirds of Summit kindergartners are attending the tuition-based FDK program.
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The costs of FDK are $7,175 for full payment, $2,400 for reduced lunch and $850 for free lunch students, and these costs are TOO HIGH for many families.
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My opponent stated that all families who want FDK have it, and that the program is "virtually free for families in need." These statements are just not true, and prove that he is out of touch with many families living in Summit.
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Factors have changed since the tuition-based FDK system was created, including school aged demographics, common core requirements and demand for FDK.
Public school students should not be disadvantaged based on their families' ability to pay for public school programs. It is time for the Board of Education to reevaluate FDK!