By RAUL GARCIA JR | Lansing News Wire
The Lansing News Wire had a chance to catch up with Ross Yednock, 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: Lansing resident, 17 of the last 21 years. I’ve spent my professional career working on public policy including: public administration, community economic development, poverty reduction, housing, and financial services. I’ve worked in the Michigan Senate and House, Attorney General’s Office, Dept. of Insurance and Financial Services, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and volunteer for area nonprofits. I’m also a real estate agent focused on first-time and first generation homebuyers. When the Charter passed and after talking with people across Lansing, I filed paperwork to collect signatures to get on the ballot. I was the only candidate to try this, but it was important because the Commission must engage voters (not just people “in the know”) about the city, its charter and our future. I collected +/- 300 signatures, but I felt justified by the encouragement I received to file with a fee. I’m running to ensure voters voice’s are at the core of the process.
Q: What professional or community experience do you bring to the table that makes you well-suited for this role?
A: I have 15 years of experience working in a variety of governmental policy positions and 13+ years working in the private, not-for-profit sector working on policy and advocacy around financial empowerment initiatives. I’ve been a licensed real estate agency since 2016 and a volunteer for different community-based nonprofits in the Lansing area. In addition to this professional experience, I also have an academic background based in policy (B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University) and a Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University.
Q: What motivated you to run for this office?
A: The charter is the foundational document for our city and it should be done the right way. Commissioners should be void of personal or political agendas and seek to actively engage Lansing residents. My biggest fear, which we are seeing take place, is that special interests would try to bankroll a slate to push their agenda, or lack thereof. I don’t want to see this happen. I want to make sure that the commission is for ALL of Lansing, not just those with political ties and money.
Q: Can you articulate your vision for the city and the key issues you hope to address if elected?
A: Overall, I want Lansing’s government to be more responsive equitable for Lansing residents, communities and neighborhoods. The quality of one’s life in Lansing, and the prospects for one’s future should not be determined by where one lives, or grows up, or who they may know, rather the prospective of one’s future should be based in who they are and what they want for their own future.
Q: What are the top three priorities you would focus on if elected?
A: Overall, active public engagement resulting in greater checks and balances and transparency for our elected officials. Specifically, I would like to look at the make-up of our Council between wards and at-large seats, ultimately resulting in greater ward representation. I would also like to see more voter engagement and look at moving city elections to even year cycles. I also want to make sure that the council and different boards and commissions are effective.
Q: How do you plan to address specific challenges facing the city, and what are the relevant issues from your point of view?
A: Through citizen engagement and looking at best practices from other cities in Michigan and across the country. Like many places, Lansing continues to see growing economic inequality, rising housing costs and stagnate wages. These are not Charter issues, per se, but the Commission should look at how policymakers have addressed/are addressing these challenges and what role the Charter has had in either a beneficial, or negative way.
Q: How do you plan to engage with and involve the community in decision-making processes?
A: Make sure the Commission does its work and holds in meetings in different locations, and at different times across the city. If the Commission just works out of City Hall, then that is a problem. The Commission must intentionally engage Lansing residents where they are and not expect them to come to the Commission.
Q: What strategies do you have for ensuring that all voices in the community are heard and considered?
A: In addition to the previous answer, I would encourage commissioners attend different neighborhood groups on their own time and make a commitment to continue their campaign efforts through the entire process.
Q: Can you provide a brief overview of the current city charter and its key provisions?
A: It establishes the legislative, administrative and judicial branches of Lansing’s government. It provides for an elected mayor (administrative) and council (legislative). It also creates different departments which are run by people appointed by the mayor.
Q: What specific aspects of the city charter do you believe need updating, and why?
A: As I addressed earlier, I think the composition of the council and ensuring it both is more responsive to residents and can provide a greater check/balance over the administrative arm of city government. These are two issues that have come up throughout my discussions with voters over the past several months/years.
Q: Can you discuss any experience you have had with drafting or amending legal documents, such as ordinances or charters?
A: Throughout my 25 years working in the policy and advocacy arena, I have worked on more legislative efforts than I can remember. This has included drafting legislative, drafting articles of incorporation and budgets.
Q: How would you approach analyzing the potential impacts of proposed charter changes on the community?
A: One thing lacking in a lot of older policy documents and legislation is a lack of using an equity lens when they were crafted. That is one thing I would want to make sure the Commission does in this process to minimize disproportional impact of different communities and demographics. If Lansing is to be better for everyone, we must make sure that we intentionally look for ways to decrease disparate impact and increase equity.
Q: How would you handle conflicting viewpoints within the charter update committee or the broader community?
A: At the outset, the Commission should recognize and respect the intentions of those elected to serve, as well as residents engaged in the process. There should be no hierarchy of status between commissioners and residents. This work is far too important to let personal agendas lead over what is best for our community and city.
Q: How familiar are you with local government laws and regulations?
A: Between my MPA and real estate work, as well as my background working the state legislature and I have gained a strong understanding of local ordinances, and how governments work.
Q: Can you highlight any specific innovations or improvements you would like to see in the updated charter?
A: Again, better representational representation and changing the cycle of elections are two things that would both improve accountability and save the city money. I also would be interested to see how other charters have looked at increasing equitable outcomes.
Q: What are your favorite notable personal achievement:
A: It happened after I left the nonprofit, but seeing the State of Michigan fund the VITA program in 2023 was a 13+ year passion project of mine.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies:
A: Home improvement for my place, or helping others on their projects… walking around the city and along the river trail… legos… hosting gatherings centered around grilling or BBQs.
Q: Favorite Book:
A: Fiction: Graham Greene’s The Quiet American Nonfiction: Richard Rothstein The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
Q: Favorite Movie, or TV Show:
A: Too many… but The Wire, Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo, Arrested Development, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Lego Movie, Ozarks.
Q: What is your favorite food:
A: Smoked Brisket with sides of beans, cheesy fried grit and mac n’ cheeses.
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