South Bend candidates say how they would help council Dist. 3, a diverse array of areas
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, are available at Vote411.org.
Early voting for Indiana's Nov. 7 municipal election begins Oct. 11. 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.
In South Bend's Common Council 3rd District, current President Sharon McBride is challenged by Republican Sonia Perez.
Sonia Perez
Occupation: Deputy clerk for St. Joseph County
Website: soniaperezdistrict3.com
Campaign phone: 574-904-1780
Facebook: facebook.com/VoteSoniaPerez
Sharon McBride
Occupation: Director of St. Joseph County Community Corrections DuComb Center; President of South Bend Common Council
Email: sharonlyvettemcbride@gmail.com
Campaign phone: 574-514-3743
What is most unique about the district you seek to represent? How will you promote your district's needs while working with other council members?
Perez: The 3rd District is very unique. It’s home to Potawatami Zoo, which has over 200,000 visitors a year! Making it he most visited place outside of Notre Dame in northern Indiana, the 3rd District is also home to historic River Park (which was once it’s own town!) that is still home to dozens of small, family owned businesses and still retains a lot of it’s historic character. I’ve lived in the 3rd District for the past 9 years since I moved here from California, so I can tell you first-hand the great things about my district and the things we can improve on. The 3rd District has a wonderful mix of people, from college students to families to single person and multi-family housing. With the diverse mix of people, businesses and incomes we have a very many things going for us and an equal amount of challenges that are in critical need of bein
McBride: District 3 is unique both socially and economically. When I was elected to serve, my first action was to bring the various neighborhood associations, stakeholders, and businesses together to seek their input. This district has two institutions of higher learning, two high schools, one intermediate school and three elementary schools. Most recently, we welcomed the United Way’s 1Roof Neighborhood Community Center. In addition, the district is home to the Potawatomi Zoo. Another attribute of the district is the partnership between 466Works, SOAR Neighborhood Association, and the City in building affordable housing that has a tremendous impact on reshaping the neighborhood. I will continue to be present, responsive, and a voice for the District while continuing to support my colleagues to enhance the quality of life for all.
What is the best way to curb crime? Should we increase police staffing, technology and budgets? Or should we redirect resources away from policing? Explain your reasoning.
Perez: I believe we should increase our police presence, working with our police officers to make our city safer, I don’t buy into the “us versus them” school of thought we have seen pushed at the national level. Being a police officer is a thankless job, they do so much good for our community. These brave men and women wake up everyday not knowing what to expect but know that their duty is to protect and serve us. I’d like to see an increase in staffing, but we also need to focus on resources to help our youth with lifelong learning activities, classes, sports, and educate them so we can direct them in a positive and healthier environment for them to grow up in and have a lasting positive impact. Unfortunately, we can only do so much, and a lot of these crime issues we see stem from the home.
McBride: The Council has provided funding needed for our police department to become fully staffed. The Council has also provided the department with the latest technology, making it one of less than a dozen departments with a state-of-the-art virtual crime center. Simultaneously, the Council has also provided record funding to social services to help reduce crime by providing social services and wrap around services to those dealing with mental health and addiction. The Council, city, police department, and the residents must all work together and continue to tackle crime in our community. Lastly, we must focus on our children. There must be open dialogue with our youth to find out their barriers and address their concerns by allocating resources to minimize those barriers.
Many recognize a disparity in economic growth in different parts of the city. What steps will you take to ensure economic growth and development is more widely distributed across the entire community?
Perez: If you are a business owner, will you invest in a neighborhood with high crime or low crime? If you are a home builder will you invest in areas with poor schools? If we lower crime and improve schools then investors will naturally invest in our neighborhoods. We have a great opportunity with the new battery factory and other factories that are coming into the area. If we bring crime down and help schools we wouldn't have economic growth issues.
McBride: I have and will continue to advocate for development in all areas of the city for equitable resources throughout all districts. In District 3, I have been a strong advocate for investing in the Miami and Michigan Street Corridors and bringing businesses into the area to uplift both neighborhoods. For example, I listened to my constituents and Randolph Park is now a fully operational park that is safe for kids and families to gather and play. This would not have happened without continued dialogue with the neighborhood association and members of the community. I will continue to advocate and support the curb and sidewalk allocation program, traffic calming, infrastructure, and affordable housing, especially in disparaged neighborhoods.
What can the city do to address the issues of children and adults living in poverty and/or homelessness in the community?
Perez: It’s a complicated topic with complicated issues with complicated solutions. The problem I have seen is we have a “one-size fits all” approach to the solutions of poverty and homelessness. Every situation is unique, every person is unique. Partnering with our private sector who specialize in these solutions is important (Oaklawn, Beacon, etc.,) to tackle these issues is key. But we also must make sure we aren’t throwing taxpayer money at programs that don’t have clear and concise plans without benchmarks and goals. Too often government programs become rife with corruption where money allocated for a cause ends up in the pockets of those working within the program and very little services are delivered for those who it was designed for.
McBride: In addressing the issue of homelessness, poverty, and children there are multiple factors that affect this population. We need to focus on the systemic issues and address the causes that create poverty and homelessness. I will continue to allocate funding to our neighborhoods across the city. The Council has committed to funding the Motels4Now program with wrap around services for people who experience substance abuse and mental health crisis. The city has partnered with SB Heritage foundation and built Oliver Apartments, Hope Avenue, and the Youth Service Bureau (YSB) development that focuses on youth homelessness. I will continue to be an advocate for some of our most vulnerable residents.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend candidates speak to issues facing Dist. 3 and rest of city
