Janet Dillon is one of three candidates running to serve on Saline City Council. Three seats are up for election on the upcoming November 6 ballot. [1]
Earlier this month, Saline Journal invited each individual to share their thoughts with our readers on a specific series of questions. Responses from Ms Dillon appear below. Responses from Dean Girbach and Christen Mitchell will in Saline Journal later this week. [2]
Saline Journal: “What would you list as your top five priorities for Saline City Council in 2019?” [3]
Janet Dillon:
- Infrastructure. Prioritizing current, near-term and future needs together with realistic funding sources
- Quality of life. Remaining safe, welcoming and the highest level of amenities possible
- Financial stability. Long term and conservative planning without overburdening taxpayers
- Smart and deliberate economic development. Explore opportunities with a focus of future needs
- Conservation/preservation of green and open space. Being mindful of outdoor space that addresses all generational needs.
Saline Journal: “In what year were you first elected to Council? Since that time, what decision do you most regret? Why?”
Janet Dillon: “I was first elected to City Council in 2014 and subsequently for a second term in 2016.
As a body, decision making is our primary purpose. Some of those decisions are unpopular, and at times decisions have been made in error. To focus on the deficit of the decision is perpetuating the fault. I choose to look forward with a lessons-learned approach of how or what could have made that decision different.
Saline Journal: “If you were to choose one issue with which you’d like your name associated as a Council champion twenty years from now, what would that be? How did you, personally, advance that cause?”
Janet Dillon: “Non-motorized connectivity for the westside of Saline. [4]
Being the only council member to reside on the westside of the City, I have first hand experience with the deficiency of a proper, complete and safe means of non-motorized travel to Downtown. I was an engaged advocate for this important issue during the 2016 Michigan Avenue Project. Through thoughtful and persistent conversations, first steps were accomplished within that project. This matter continues to be in the forefront of my priorities and has now been incorporated into the City’s planning process. [5]
Saline Journal: “How important is it for any given member of Council to be ‘in sync’ with the voters? local businesses? Explain.”
Janet Dillon: “It is vital for a Council Member to be actively engaged and in sync with the community in which they represent. The means of engagement will vary, but the level of commitment must not waiver.
Through that engagement a Council Member must have a fundamental understanding of the priorities of the community. City Council is an elected position wherein the residents of Saline base their vote on their confidence, trust and connection to a candidate. Additionally, being ‘in sync’ with local businesses is also a responsibility a Council Member has to the residents of Saline. Council should encourage and help guide local businesses on a healthy path which is vital to the ongoing advancement of Saline.
There will be instances wherein opinions will differ, but the overreaching value structure must be kept intact.
Saline Journal: “Please describe your view of ‘history’ in terms of the future of Saline.”
Janet Dillon: “I was very fortunate to be a part of the 2016 Saline Sesquicentennial celebration planning committee. During that planning process, I had the privilege to encounter so many of the people of Saline whose families settled and built the foundation of our community. It is our obligation to retain and maintain that heritage for future generations. Saline is rich in historic pride and it is important that we not lose sight of that in future planning endeavors.”
Saline Journal: “With more than a dozen scarecrow creations once again adorning local store fronts, with which do you most personally identify? How so? [6]
Janet Dillon: “I am uncertain I could choose a particular scarecrow with which I identify, also as a yearly entrant in the contest, my opinion might be slightly bias. I would rather identify with the program as a whole. The scarecrow contest embraces what I love about Saline. It is individuals, businesses and groups coming together to support their community in a way that is fun, interactive and unique — all of the same qualities of Saline.”
Additionally, each candidate was offered the opportunity to put forth a question of their own and then answer it for publication here. Ms Dillon left this section blank.
References
- “City of Saline Departments and Elected Officials: Saline City Council” Saline.
- “Major Political Party Candidates Have Answered Questions In Races Of Local Interest To Saline Michigan” Dell Deaton (October 12, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Candidates were requested to limit their responses to ten words or less per item.
- Non-Motorized Transportation Plan 2017 (September 11, 2017) Saline.
- “City of Saline: Community Vision Tour 2020” Saline.
- “Saline Scarecrow Contest” Borer Family Chiropractic.
