By RAUL GARCIA JR | Lansing News Wire
The Lansing News Wire had a chance to catch up with Elizabeth Driscoll Boyd, candidate for the City of Lansing City Charter General Revision Commission election slated May 7. Here is what he had to say in Meet the Candidate Q&A:
Q: Can you briefly introduce yourself and provide some background on your qualifications for this office?
A: The city charter will guide Lansing’s future and that is why commissioners must conduct a review that is thorough, thoughtful, transparent, and without regard for special interests. I am a life-long resident of Lansing with degrees from Michigan State University and extensive decision-making experience from having worked with statewide elected officials of both political parties. While I have often wanted to seek public office, my professional and personal commitments have stood in the way. I now have the time to serve and that is why I am seeking election to the charter commission.
Q: What professional or community experience do you bring to the table that makes you well-suited for this role?
A: As noted above, I have worked for statewide elected officials of both political parties and as such, have been involved in critical decisions for the state of Michigan. Further, I have chaired several boards and commissions including the former governing board for the Lansing Center.
Q: What motivated you to run for this office?
A: I love our city and have always wanted to serve in come capacity, but professional and personal commitments stood in the way. Now that I have the time to serve, the decision to seek elected office (charter commission) was an easy one to make.
Q: Can you articulate your vision for the city and the key issues you hope to address if elected?
A: The role of the charter commission will be very focused. Commissioners will review how city government operates. For example, should Lansing move to a city manager-style of government, and should the size of city council remain the same? I believe Lansing should be a city where people want to live, work and raise a family. That is what should drive the commission’s work. Whether commissioners are concerned about issues like road improvements will be outside the scope of their work.
Q: What are the top three priorities you would focus on if elected?
A: I believe the charter review should be thorough, thoughtful, transparent and devoid of special interests.
Q: How do you plan to address specific challenges facing the city, and what are the relevant issues from your point of view?
A: I am going into this process with an open mind. If elected, I want to gather as much information about what has worked and not worked in our city government as possible and go from there. The commission’s review will take us where it takes us.
Q: How do you plan to engage with and involve the community in decision-making processes?
A: Commissioners will be representing city residents and so it is important that residents be heard. I see listening sessions to hear from voters. I see a website so voters can follow the commission’s work. Essentially, if elected my goal is to be as transparent as possible.
Q: What strategies do you have for ensuring that all voices in the community are heard and considered?
A: I believe I have outlined them above, but certainly abiding by the Open Meetings Act, conducting listening sessions and maintaining a website are starting points.
Q: Can you provide a brief overview of the current city charter and its key provisions?
A: There is insufficient space to answer this question but voters can learn the answer by visiting: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/4ee3747d-174d-4eec-9ef6-ab1b900b97dc
Q: What specific aspects of the city charter do you believe need updating, and why?
A: If elected, this will be the commission’s work. With that said, I am certain there are provisions that need to be updated to reflect the times.
Q: Can you discuss any experience you have had with drafting or amending legal documents, such as ordinances or charters?
A: I served as chair of a local planning commission for several years, which required familiarity with ordinances.
Q: How would you approach analyzing the potential impacts of proposed charter changes on the community?
A: I see this being part of the commission’s work but certainly this question must be answered.
Q: How would you handle conflicting viewpoints within the charter update committee or the broader community?
A: Time will tell. My expectation is that the nine-member commission will be diverse with commissioners willing to work with one another. As with any document review the name of the game will be compromise.
Q: How familiar are you with local government laws and regulations?
A: Having covered township government as a reporter and having worked for statewide elected officials who must address local issues, I consider myself very familiar with state and local government.
Q: Can you highlight any specific innovations or improvements you would like to see in the updated charter?
A: That is for the commission to decide.
Q: What are your favorite notable personal achievement:
A: There are many, but being named Pacemaker of the Year by the Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and becoming an accredited member of PRSA are among them.
What are your favorite hobbies:
A: Piano, Gardening, Reading, Walking
Q: Favorite Book:
A: There are many. A book I often encourage people to read is, “We Were the Lucky Ones.”
Editor’s Note: All of the candidates on the ballot for the City of Lansing Charter Revision Commissioner have been asked the same questions and have been invited to participate in the Lansing News Wire Meet the Candidate Q&A. The responses will be published as they are received until the election.
Tanya Garcia