4 South Bend residents seeking clerk position share their positions on issues facing city
The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League, with local help from the ADP, operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues.
The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from a selection of contested races. Additional questions and answers, including from candidates who have no opponent in the primary, are available at Vote411.org.
Early voting for Indiana's May 2 municipal primary election began last week. To vote early, either fill out an application for a mail ballot at https://indianavoters.in.gov/MVPHome/PrintDocuments or vote in person. In St. Joseph County, there are two early-voting locations: the County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. in South Bend; or the Mishawaka County Services Building, 219 Lincoln Way W. in Mishawaka. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
Early-voting hours at both locations are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays (except May 1, when voting closes at noon.); 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays April 22 and 29; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30.
Democrat Dawn Jones is the incumbent South Bend city clerk. She is challenged in the primary by Bianca Tirado and Jason Banicki. The winning Democrat will face Republican Tina Wilson in the fall. Wilson's responses will appear in The Tribune this fall and are on vote411.org now.
Jason Banicki
Occupation: Sales floor supervisor
Email: jasonbanickiforcityclerk@gmail.com
Campaign phone: 574-274-9303
Facebook: facebook.com/jasonbanicki2
Dawn Jones
Occupation: South Bend city clerk
Email: dawnmj.dj@gmail.com
Website: dawnjones.org
Campaign phone: 574-367-0654
Facebook: facebook.com/djforsbcityclerk
Twitter: @djones4cityclerk
Bianca Tirado
Email: bianca@tiradoforcityclerk.com
Website: biancatirado.com
Campaign phone: 574-850-5545
Facebook: facebook.com/people/tirado-for-sb-city-clerk/100089281424482
Twitter: @bforsbcityclerk
What will be your top priority as city clerk?
Banicki: My top priority as South Bend City Clerk will be to upgrade both the hardware and software used in the office. Currently it takes the clerk’s office nine hours to transcribe three hours worth of council meeting minutes. With proper technology upgrades this task can be completed by artificial intelligence programs in a matter of minutes. Since generating meeting minutes for the committee and common council meetings are a large responsibility for the clerk’s office any efficiency gains made here will allow for the staff to be freed up to do additional work to improve transparency in local government.
Jones: I will build my staff infrastructure to accommodate the increased ordinances and resolutions processed. I will also add a technical position to improve our social media presence and internet interaction in order to increase the knowledge of our residents regarding municipal government and understanding of the importance of community engagement.
Tirado: When elected, my platform supports several long-term goals. In year one, the office will work diligently to create the structural and operational changes required to overhaul outdated initiatives and create timely processes and procedures. My top two priorities will be transparency and accessibility. For transparency: I will ensure that our residents and Common Council can access important City documents such as minutes and legislation. For Accessibility: Connecting residents to opportunities and resources that their City government provides. The City Clerk’s Office will address inclusive language barriers and will assist in both English to Spanish and Spanish to English translation of the Council Agenda and City records.
The clerk needs to work with office staff, consultants, project leaders and members of the public. How would you describe your communication and interpersonal skills? What specific experiences can you point to that you are a good communicator and collaborator?
Banicki: One of the reasons I have been so successful is my ability to work as part of a team and communicate clearly with all stake holders. The best example of my skills as a communicator and collaborator is a project I worked on at Lowe’s. We moved the location of a large portion of the product in the store including setting new racking and getting electrical work completed. I was a supervisor on this project that lasted seven weeks and had a day and night team. This required me to communicate workflow when there was little overlap, work with senior management to get the electrical contractor scheduled to complete the necessary work, discuss with corporate staff when plans did not fit our store, and work with the team on getting the work done. We finished the project ahead of schedule and under budget.
Jones: I have two degrees from IUSB, including one from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and am a professional writer. One of the criteria for receiving this renowned degree was community service. I've collaborated with several organizations, including the United Way, the South Bend Community School Corporation, the NAACP, the Urban League, Manchester College, IUSB, Stone Soup, and the United States Congress. I've collaborated with workers, star generals, national consultants, project directors, general contractors, architects, educators, superintendents, and college presidents, among others, to construct schools, develop curricula, and help build communities.
Tirado: In my five years of experience working in the City Clerk’s Office, I have worked closely with Mayor Mueller, President McBride and many members of the Council and is why I have their support. We have worked together to implement legislation that has kept South Bend moving forward. I am a team player, a collaborator and strong communicator. I prioritize, multitask and be a good listener working with Council members that can at times have different needs for their districts. It is crucial that our office is prepared to be a liaison and meet the needs of residents. We must also be prepared to connect residents with resources. As City Clerk, it is my priority to also train my staff to have good communication skills in order to maintain relationships with the Common Council, City Administration in order to meet the needs of our residents.
In the midst of tension between the South Bend clerk and common council, the hiring of outside consultants has drawn much attention and criticism. The incumbent facilitated the hiring of her daughter as a consultant. The council hired a consultant who now is a candidate for the office while continuing her consulting work. What factors should determine when taxpayers should pay extra for a consultant to do the work of the clerk's office?
Banicki: The primary factors used to determine if a consultant is needed should be: is the person necessary to complete the required work and does the person have skills or knowledge pertaining to the work that no one else in the clerk’s office does. Once a consultant is hired there should be periodic reviews to make sure they are completing the objectives of their contract and sticking to the contracted budget for the project. Any spending of taxpayer money needs to be fully transparent and so any funds being spent on a consultant should be brought before the full common council for public comment and the contract either approved or denied by a vote of the entire common council.
Jones: Chapter 2, of the Indiana Code, as city clerk I have the authority to staff my own office with what I need. The Common Council does not have the authority to staff my office. Therefore, the claim of hiring someone to do my job is false. Everything that is done in the office of the City Clerk requires my signature, a date stamp with my name, and the city seal. It would be illegal for a consultant outside of my office. The only people that can do the work in my office are those whom I deputize. We were paying a transcription service over $2,400 per month. By enlisting my daughter, I cut the rate in half. I enlisted my daughter's assistance because she is a professional writer and would be willing to work for less than the transcription service. She holds four degrees from IUSB, Manchester College, and Bethel University.
Tirado: The Clerk Clerk’s office functions as the administrative arm of the council. When basic administrative tasks are not completed, the Common Council has the authority to allocate funds for consultants to complete those tasks. I have the experience to make sure those basic tasks, like filing documents on time and properly posting notices are completed efficiently. As long as the duties are properly performed, it matters not who performs the duties but that they are met. As with any detailed or highly technical matter, outside consultants can be effective and a smart expense to assist with the needs of Council.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Q&A with residents seeking city clerk job on issues facing South Bend
