James Dell’Orco is one of four candidates running to serve on Saline City Council starting in January of 2020. Three seats are up for election on the upcoming November 5, 2019 ballot.
Earlier this month, Saline Journal invited each individual to share his thoughts with our readers on a specific series of questions. Responses from Mr Dell’Orco appear below. Responses from the other candidates will appear in separate articles this week.
Saline Journal: “What would you list as your top four priorities for Saline City Council in 2020?”
James Dell’Orco:
- Infrastructure— Address deficiencies in water/sewer in parallel with road improvements
- Growth— Contemplate long term impact of any and all future development
- Affordable Housing— Let us not settle for ‘it can’t be done’
- Outreach— ‘A democratic society depends upon an informed and educated citizenry,’ Thomas Jefferson
Saline Journal: “Is there a ‘proper’ length of time for a member of City Council to serve? If so, how long would you recommend, and why?”
James Dell’Orco: “I feel a four-year term would be more conducive to effective leadership. There is a learning curve for new council members to become adequately familiar with procedure and by the time they are really starting to settle in they have to run again. High turnover rates and lack of experience can indeed lead to deficiencies in local governments.”
Saline Journal: “Reconcile the following aspects of Saline: Autonomous shuttle assembly, downtown car shows, new car dealerships.”
James Dell’Orco: “Autonomous shuttles are going to be more visible in smaller cities throughout America in the years ahead. They will provide a much needed service to citizens and create jobs in the clean energy sector right here at home.
Downtown car shows are an incredible opportunity to join together as a community to celebrate our heritage in building the Motor City.
All of the big three (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) have a place to do business right here in the Saline area, providing vehicles to all, built in large part by hard working blue collar Americans represented by vital labor unions that help to ensure a decent quality of life for the middle class.
There is a demand in the community such that all three of these aspects can work together to benefit the other as well as the broader needs for the community as a whole as we strive to move forward.
Saline Journal: “To what extent, in what ways is it appropriate for members of City Council to participate in locally-oriented Facebook Groups?”
James Dell’Orco: “Social media has become the primary instrument in which people rely on to receive important information and communicate with the general public.
I feel that irrespective of the mechanism that residents use, any elected official should feel compelled to respond with answers, input and updates whenever possible whether that involves social media or more conventional means of communication.
That being said, I feel it’s also vitally important to keep those that are less familiar with the digital age (Senior Citizens) just as informed as the younger generations.
Saline Journal: “How would you assess the City of Saline in terms of preparations for dealing with a mass casualty event?”
James Dell’Orco: “I’ll be candidly honest here, I have not looked into the state of our city’s policies and procedures for dealing with such an event, and therefore would hate to comment with conjecture. I will have to look more carefully into the matter and respond appropriately at a later time.”
Saline Journal: “Which park would you choose for an October weekend campout with your least-outdoorsy relative? Explain.”
James Dell’Orco: “Mill Pond Park. It offers the most variety in terms of diversity of landscape and remains within walking distance to the downtown area if a city fix is in order. Camped-out along the banks of the Saline River nestled back in the hiking trails upstream of Mill Pond is picturesque in my mind, particularly this time of year.
And if by chance my less rugged relative starts longing for the comforts and convenience that city life affords, we can stop in for a coffee in the mornings at Carrigan Café or go for a burger and beer at Dan’s while taking in the Michigan football game.
Saline Journal: “If you could ask one question to the other three candidates, what would it be?”
James Dell’Orco: “Did you ever see yourself running for public office?”
Candidate-provided biographical sketch:
My family and I have lived in the Saline for just over a decade now. I’m the proud father of my daughters, Daphne, twelve, and Dahlia, ten.
I am Research Scientist at the University of Michigan Medical School in the department of Internal Medicine currently working on the neural control of glucose homeostasis and energy balance in the context of Type 2 Diabetes.
My wife, Dr Nichole Dell’Orco, PhD, works as a medical writer for the pharmaceutical industry. As a family, we are longstanding members of First Presbyterian Church of Saline and all of us have been enthusiastically engaged in the mission work opportunities afforded to us as part of that community.
My impetus to run for City Council is simply to give back to the community of Saline as Saline has given so much to all of us.
