Ward 3 Candidate, Devon Gibson, answers audience questions from our Candidate Forum last week. 1. CBS is planning to air a show about Battle Creek. How would you try to impact the producers to show BC in a positive light? Devon Gibson: I would hope the producers would sit down and talk with people from town about our town before they start filming. I would push to be a part of any discussions. However, just the fact that Battle Creek is a city featured on CBS could turn into a positive for the city if it becomes a hit show. I think of the house that was used for the hit show, Breaking Bad. That house has become a tourism spot, which help out our local establishments. 2. Given the situation in Battle Creek with our demographics, employment and tax base, how will you attain your vision of Battle Creek in the year 2020 or 2025? Devon Gibson: My vision is one in which all residents of our city have their voices heard. In order to accomplish this, I will continue to do what I have been doing for the past several years. This includes going to community events and interacting with everyday people and listening to them and then working with them and city staff to ensure their needs are being met. One of the key demographics I want to reach out to is our youth. I worked with two city commissioners and helped in recruiting members for the city’s reboot of the Youth Advisory Board. I will work with this group to ensure they have a voice in the direction our city takes. When it comes to business, we have to make this city known for being more than the Cereal City. If our state learned anything in the last 20 years, it is that you cannot have your economy built around one industry. 3. Some residences on the north side are in poor repair. I called the city about one that had cars parked on the berm and junk of all kinds in the yard. Nothing was done. What kind of options do neighbors have when this type of situation arises? The house is still in disrepair after 10 years. Devon Gibson: I’ve always found the best way to get something done is to circumvent the bureaucracy at city hall. By attending your Neighborhood Planning Council meeting, you can meet your local code compliance officer and talk to the person who is going to actual drive around the neighborhood and ticket violations. As a commissioner, I will be there to ensure there is follow through from code compliance. Also, on a personal level, I would attempt to engage in a conversation with the person and see why they won’t clean up their property. Maybe they feel the task is too difficult and offer to help. I will often time shovel snow or rake leafs for my neighbors to find they often return the favor down the road. 4. Would you vote in favor of the Mayors Against Gun Violence initiative? Devon Gibson: Yes I would. The Mayors Against Illegal Gun Violence is not an ordinance, it is basically a proclamation with no real legal standing. It will not take away the guns of those (who are the majority) that are responsible. It’s safe to say we are all against illegal guns. It sends a good message.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:00:00 +0000