Election 2014: City commissioner, newcomer running to fill Kalamazoo County District 1 seat

KALAMAZOO, MI — A member of the Kalamazoo City Commission and a political newcomer are vying to replace a retiring Kalamazoo County Commissioner to represent the county's District 1 seat.

Carolyn Alford announced earlier this year she would retire after four terms on the county board. The district includes Kalamazoo's Northside, Eastside, Fairmont and Edison neighborhoods, as well as a northeast portion of Kalamazoo Township.

The candidates are: 

• Green Party candidate Sarah Molenaar, 40, of Kalamazoo, a home health aide. Molenaar has a bachelor's degree in social work from Western Michigan University and a master's degree from WMU in social work administration. Molenaar said she has been the owner and operator of Underhill Urban Farm and has worked as an artist and novice gardener. Molenaar she holds more than a five percent stake in Holistic Home Services and Thingamessugenahs. Molenaar cited community memberships as Kalamazoo People's Food Co-op and Renew Kalamazoo, among others. This is her first time running for office.

• Democrat Stephanie Moore, 42, has served on the Kalamazoo City Commission for four terms. Moore has an associates degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She is a consultant with Moore Consulting LLC. Moore is a member of the Kalamazoo branch of the NAACP, the Black Women's Roundtable of Michigan, the Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Mt. Zion Baptist Church and the Northside Ministerial Alliance. 

Moore beat three Democratic opponents in August to win her party's primary — Robert Barnard, Rico White and Vicki Buchanan DeVould-Cohn.

The winning candidate will join the Kalamazoo County Board during a time of upheaval, as it will lose at least six of its 11 members to retirement and runs for state office. The board will also be seeking new leadership since current Republican Chair David Maturen, R-Brady Township, and Democratic Vice Chair David Buskirk are among those departing at the end of the year.

Below are the candidates' responses from the MLive Voter Guide questionnaire. (Click here to read their complete responses.)

Why are you running for office?

Molenaar: "I am running as the Green Party of MI candidate for Kalamazoo County Commissioner – District 1 because the opportunity arose and I love a challenging opportunity! I have listened to individuals and families tell their stories of living in poverty, homelessness, violence, and impossible bureaucratic hurdles to access needed services and I would be honoured to be elected to work for them in Kalamazoo County. I bring a new energy and perspective to the County Commission that represents a majority of the non-voting citizens of Kalamazoo County – one of disillusionment with politics as usual. I offer an option worth coming to the polls for the citizens who have given up on voting or working with their local representatives. I believe that big money, war, and corporations are already too well represented in Kalamazoo County and that there needs to be a voice on the Kalamazoo County Commission that represents people's, not profit's, needs."

Moore: "I believe my passion, dedication and ability to connect people to resources and policy have helped to improve the quality of life for many in our great community. I want to continue that work. I have served our city with passion and enthusiasm working in the following areas: promoting strong community relationships for the improvement of health, safety and quality of life for all residents; serving as a liaison between local citizens and local authorities; supporting local businesses; and encouraging the creation of economic development opportunities within our community. My seven years experience serving the citizens of Kalamazoo on the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Economic Development Corp, the Friends of Park and Recreation board as well as a past member of the Transportation Authority board gives me strong skills and assets to support the ongoing work of our promise city."

What are your top three priorities?

Molenaar: "I believe that Kalamazoo County can be a global leader in environmental sustainability, housing first and equal opportunity for ALL residents. I will advocate for more contracting with organizations that are committed to creating sustainable and free energy in Kalamazoo County to reduce climate impact and poverty. I will support resolutions or policies that will end "Fracking" in Kalamazoo County. I will advocate for housing programs that make housing accessible to everyone. I will advocate for truly inclusive resolutions and policies that can end systemic racism in Kalamazoo County. I hope Kalamazoo will show the world how it is done!"

Moore: "My top three priorities are jobs, education and intergovernmental collaboration. These can be accomplished by Economic Development Opportunities – Job creation and the elimination of barriers to employment."

What is the most pressing issue for this office?

Molenaar: "Full community participation in local politics, transitioning Kalamazoo County to a sustainable economy with sustainable energy, and eliminating homelessness, poverty, and racism."

Moore: "The most pressing issue for Kalamazoo county is attracting business to the region and matching residents to viable employment opportunities to increase the quality of life in our community. Kalamazoo county has the 11th lowest unemployment rate in the state of Michigan for May 2014. The unemployment rate is between 6.1-6.3 percent. The labor force is continuing to grow but we definitely have opportunity to leverage the growth in this area and look at where we can have meaningful employment. We need to also make sure our children are ready for these career opportunities through college readiness efforts where they are academically prepared with the skill set they need to be successful. There is a direct link between education and employment. Opportunities regionally the county can foster as we are starting to look at economies and making sure this regions economy is healthy by partnering and collaborating with townships and cities."

Article originally found at http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/10/voter_guide_kalamazoo_county_d.html