Elections / Voters Guide / Melinda Day

Melinda Day
for Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners District 8

Republican

Melinda Day

Occupation:
Graduate Student Research Assisstant
Education:
BS from the University of South Carolina, Magna cum Laude, Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa
Currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Michigan
Community Involvement:
Leukemia Society Light the Night Participant

Questions & Answers

QUESTION: Should the county continue to invest $125,000 a year in SEMCOG?

From my understanding, SEMCOG does benefit the county in regards to water resources, but other than that it has been a disappointment. What needs to be discussed is not the light rail project between Ann Arbor and Detroit (although historically these type of programs more often than not end up as money drain) but rather are we seeing a return from SEMCOG that is greater than our $125,000 investment. Next, we need to ask whether or not that money could be used elsewhere with a greater rate of return. As of now I would seriously consider cutting involvement. SEMCOG is about regionalism first not Washtenaw County. With revenues down I believe that this money could be better spent directly in the county rather than on a board that has trouble meeting commitments.

QUESTION: What do you want voters to know about you?

I am not a career politician. I am a concerned citizen that understands that it will be citizen politicians that will be the ones to correct the problems caused by the "elite" political class.

QUESTION: What is your long-term vision for Washtenaw County?

I would like to see Washtenaw County as an economic haven for the state of Michigan. This county should be a place where people and businesses want to move into not leave.

QUESTION: What is your stance on a county land bank authority?

I do not like the idea of the county government becoming involved in real estate speculation. It is not the government's role to be in charge of foreclosed properties. The current land bank proposals have no clear exit strategy and are underfunded. The county doesn't have the means to increase that funding, and to believe that funds would come from the state is rather optimistic. In addition, the land bank doesn't get to the heart of the real issue. Instead of asking what we should do with taxed foreclosed properties, we should be asking why there are taxed foreclosed properties in the first place. We need to look into improving the economy of the county and look into the county tax structure so that we can keep families in their homes.

QUESTION: What is your take on the county's budget situation and what are your priorities in addressing the fiscal challenges facing the county?

The county budget needs to remain balanced. Just like with our families, the county government should not be spending more than what it takes in as revenue. This can be done by utilizing intergovernmental agreements to make the county government more efficient. In addition, previous budgets need to be reviewed to determine where there are overlaps in services, and we need to focus on state mandated services first.

QUESTION: What makes you uniquely qualified for the office?

As a scientist I come to the table with the ability to think critically. We need someone in office who can look at an issue, understand the core problem,and then carefully think through the issue and every possible solution. This is something that I do on a daily basis.

QUESTION: Where do you stand on expanding the Road Commission?

I am not in favor of expanding the Road Commission. I find the timing of this proposal to be misguided. Right now the county has seen a drop in revenues and expansion of the Road Commission would represent an added cost when we can least afford it. There have been discussions regarding lowering the compensation for the members of the Road Commission so that the expansion would be financially neutral. That would be a decent solution, but that leaves me asking can that actually be done? The members of the commission hold 6 year terms. Compensation levels would have to be changed at the time of a new appointment. That would mean that the expansion would have to be phased in with a period of time where certain members of the commission are being compensated at a greater rate than others. What we should be looking into is opening up an all volunteer committee for the Road Commission that would allow for the diversity that is the main reason behind this proposal.

QUESTION: Why are you seeking office or re-election?

Government largess at all levels has created a poor economic environment that has negatively impacted all people, but especially people under the age of 30. I look to the future and I am concerned that I will not have the same opportunities to succeed that my parents have had. It is that concern that has motivated me to run for county commissioner.