Gordon Grant

Fourth District - vote for one
See questionnaire here.

1. Sidewalks
2. Recycling laws, overflowing garbage containers
3. Skunks, birds and animal control
This response is intended to address questions 1, 2, & 3.
If we do not have the applicable ordinances in place then I would encourage the Mayor and his administration to bring [them] forward and I would support their initiative.
If we do have the applicable ordinances in place then I would encourage the Mayor to have the building safety office enforce them.
4. Sale of small liquor bottles and single cigarettes
As I understand it, the state has statutes that regulate our tobacco and liquor. Again, if the Mayor and his administration bring forward an ordinance I would study the merits of the ordinance.
5. Dealing with less state support
The city administration should cut taxes and fees, prioritize spending, stop borrowing, and develop a plan to pay off our $150,000,000 general obligation bonds (debt).
The city administration should consider a new municipal model that is more cost effective which offers a different approach on how we do business, what city services we should provide, and assets we should own; including, all of our business type services; water/gas/sewer, steam plants, storm water utilities, street lights, parking activities, and golf courses.
6. Economic development in Central and East Hillside and Lincoln Park
We need to enforce our building safety codes. A lack of code enforcement causes blight which breeds an increase in crime, discourages neighborhood pride, hinders business development, and prevents job creation. I will look into creating a task force to initiate a grass roots clean-up block-by-block, and challenge neighbors, local churches, Lincoln Park Business District, the Mayor, the Police Chief, and the Fire Chief to commit the resources to help.