Christine Scales
District 4 Republican candidate
1. What do you offer as a candidate?
My Council record
of achievements reflect positive changes made in the quality of life in
District 4 neighborhoods. The blighted Keystone Towers have been demolished. I
helped shepherd through the city, a developer's goals for revitalization of the
Phoenix-Meadows into the new holistically designed East Avondale Meadows
community on East 38th Street. Construction for a long desired pedestrian/bike
path on 62nd Street between Keystone and Allisonville
begins soon. Other long awaited sidewalks and street resurfacing projects
have been completed or are still on the calendar. Personal meetings with
residents at their homes, my relentless pursuit of city officials to find
solutions to problems have offered constituents an unprecedented level of
service from their Councillor.
I am one of the few City-County Councillors who devotes full-time hours and attention to
what is considered a part-time job. As an empty nester and employed in no
other capacity, I have the time to make myself available to constituents at
their convenience-not mine. Not having another job also allows me the
independence to vote in the best interests of citizens, not clients or other
powers which might apply pressure for a particular vote outcome. All this and
more makes me a proven servant-leader, not a self-serving leader.
2. What does your district most need from the City Council?
What District 4 most needs from the
City County Council is a continuation of what they have been receiving from me
these past few years. They deserve and should expect,
hands-on attention and involvement in their neighborhoods and the immediate
addressing of concerns and problems-which I consistently give. They need
to know their councillor will have the courage to
stand up for them and their interests, even when it might put them at odds with
their own party or invoke retribution from other power interests. The
recognition by three major community groups for outstanding service, and my
reputation among all political parties as an independent thinker when it comes
to voting on Council proposals, makes me the kind of elected official voters
need.
3. What's your opinion of the 2012 budget proposed by the
mayor?
At the time this question is being
answered, the 2012 budget has been proposed but not finalized. Hearings
regarding each city agency's budget are still underway. Given what is known at
this time, I believe some shifting of budgeting priorities must occur. Until the
final vote on the budget takes place, I and a majority of north side residents
and firefighters will continue to fight to keep ladder truck 21 from being
removed from the 71st and Keystone fire station. The ladder truck is a vital
apparatus and its impending removal puts the lives and properties of all of us
living on the north side at greatly increased risk. The public's safety must be
a higher priority than various other educational travel costs or consultant
fees.
4. What is your position on a comprehensive smoking ban?
With 95-98% of all public facilities
already served by no-smoking policies, I believe that further time, money and
effort in achieving a 100% ban, could be better spent
on other issues of importance.
5. Do you think the city needs more police officers?
Yes-and I will continue working
towards those ends.
6. Do you support increased funding for public transit?
Yes
7. Do you think the streets and sidewalks in your district
are in good shape?
In the past three and a half years,
District 4 has enjoyed more resurfaced thoroughfares, residential
streets, new and repaired sidewalks than in the past 20 years. There is
more work to be done, and I will continue being the 'squeaky wheel that gets
the grease" so that District 4 residents continue to receive their goodly
share of the limited pot of infrastructure dollars.
8. Name one project that would most benefit your district.
I would like to see a complete
overhaul of drainage systems for various District 4 neighborhoods.
9. What question do you wish we'd asked?
How would you compare and contrast
your qualifications to be Councillor vs. those of
your opponent?
