Democratic candidate for county council District 1 Interview

You’ll hear Jim’s thoughts on:

• How to organize the county to be more livable, navigable, etc..
• Building infrastructure and then developing
• Citizen input in the zoning / land-use planning process
• Public Financing of Campaigns
• Pedestrian and bicyclist safety focus
• Shortening trips - co-locating commercial / residential
• Montgomery County’s Climate Emergency Declaration - the number one issue facing all of us - Jim says
• • Translating it to action; will take thought and serious dialog
  • Re-prioritize the planning process to make the climate emergency a number one priority
  • Divestment doesn’t help the county get to zero emissions, but it is a great symbolic gesture
• On Working Families
• • People should be able to work a 40 hour job and have a life
  • Jobs should pay a living wage
• On Elections
• • Open primary system - where the two candidates that win the most votes, regardless of party, make it to the final election in November
• Education
• • Expand preschool / early childhood care / education is important (funds permitted)
  • Early childhood educators get paid the least
• On Minimum Standard of Living
• Tackling the Budget Gap
• On Power Centers in Montgomery County
• On Community Input into the Decision Making Process
• • Bring more stakeholders into the planning process
• On a Regional Approach to Metro