Documents

League of Women Voters Candidate Questionnaire

General Election

1. What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking? (30 word limit)

Volunteer on Bloomington Environmental Commission, citizen’s committee on transportation planning, Community Action Program board; IU fiscal management experience. I’ve listened to hundreds of voters door to door and at events.

2. What is your plan for attracting high quality jobs to Bloomington? Which public and private entities will you work with? (100 word limit)

My plan is to create jobs locally by expanding and developing locally-owned businesses. We have such a wealth of talent among our population, including entrepreneurs, artists, service providers, and educators, that we can meet much of the need for solid, living-wage jobs through locally-owned business. I would work with inVenture, SCORE, the Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the city and county economic development offices, the SBDC, and other groups that share the common goal of developing and keeping good jobs in Bloomington.  

3. How do you define the city’s appropriate role in sustainability? (100 word limit)           

The city should lead by example, strenghthen regulations, and coordinate programs within the community. The city must reduce its own carbon footprint, control growth, and invest transportation dollars in safe pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit options. It could also require minimum energy efficiency standards in rental units and green building practices for city projects. The city should coordinate and encourage action on the part of local business and community groups to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, buy products and services locally, and give all residents the tools to contribute to Bloomington’s long-term well being.

Primary Election

1. What are your qualifications for the office you are seeking? (30 word limit)

Volunteer on the Environmental Commission, the citizen’s committee on transportation issues, and the Community Action Program board. Activist on living wage, peace, and civil liberties issues. IU fiscal management experience.

2. In your opinion, what are the primary challenges facing Bloomington? If elected, how will you address them? (100 word limit)

The primary challenge facing Bloomington is how to grow and evolve in a sustainable way. One aspect of sustainability is building a strong local economy. I propose we create a network of locally-owned businesses to engage in joint marketing and other collaboration. As a sustainable city, we must also give all residents the tools to be self-sufficient. Housing is not affordable for many residents, and the city must encourage or even require truly affordable housing in new developments. I also propose that the city coordinate the efforts of social service agencies so that they can gain efficiencies by working together.
 

Paid for by Isabel Piedmont-Smith