South Bend voters will pick new city clerk; here are their answers to questions on the job
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 Wednesday. 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.
There will be a new South Bend city clerk, as Democrat Bianca Tirado will face Republican Tina Wilson for the job.
Tina Wilson
Occupation: Esthetician - owner
Email: votetinawilson@gmail.com
Website: votetinawilson.com
Campaign phone: 574-220-7208
Facebook: facebook.com/tinawilsonforsouthbendcityclerk
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?
Wilson: My first task at hand would be getting to the root of the divide between the Clerk office & Common Council. A house divided cannot stand. When governing parties are united & the authorities are in cooperation, it creates a stability that causes the entire community to flourish. Currently there is a lot of fingers pointing happening, but real change & strength comes from accountability. As your next City Clerk, I plan to focus more on providing solutions that works not only for our community, but for members of both the Clerk office & Common Council. Egos must be set aside because we have a duty to serve the people of South Bend first. Additionally, I plan to reduce how much of taxpayer dollars we are spending by being more efficient at completing the duties of City Clerk without requiring hiring outside contractors.
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?
Wilson: Owning & operating a business has given me the education & experience that I feel gives me the ability to effectively work well with others as your next City Clerk. The commitment I have to excellence & world class service, along with the ability to foresee issues before they even arise are benefits I plan to bring to the Clerk’s office. Many individuals of South Bend can attest to me being “Transparent” & “Authentic”. These are character traits I live & value, not only to who I am as a person, but how I conduct business. I may not always deliver what you want to hear. But I will deliver the truth & the best solution possible. And I find in most cases people respect that.
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 have a proven track record collaborating 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 train my staff at a high level and to have communication skills in order to maintain relationships with the Common Council, City Administration in order to meet the needs of our residents.
What specific steps will you take to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the clerk's office?
Wilson: One step is utilization of technology. Technology has increased at a tremendous rate over the last 15 or so years. We have so many tools available to be able to record information more efficiently & faster that what is being used today in the Clerk office. I ensure more rapid turnaround on posting meeting minutes & videos. Also, being more responsive with answering questions or concerns. We must meet people where they are at, so I plan on utilizing social media more, engaging more to allow the community a space to feel heard. Our community needs to know that we are in fact listening. I commit to creating a better work culture between the Clerk office staff, as well as Common Council. It’s a privilege to be able to serve people. I’m confident in my approach & my ability to change the narrative and getting us back on track.
Tirado: Due to my experience, I will protect the integrity and ensure the accuracy of public records through thorough oversight by keeping an accurate record of Council documents and provide minutes on file in a timely manner for public review. We will connect and assist in navigating the Council legislative procedures (e.g. tax abatements, rezonings, special exceptions, public vacations, annexations and other Council business) that promote economic development and job creation in our City. I will work with our Council to use and understand the latest in technology by investing in a minute/record keeping software to make a keyword searchable option and PDF’s for citizens to view previous and current Council legislative business.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Q&A: City clerk candidates on how to address issues facing South Bend