Michael Nowakowski talks priorities if elected at November election
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
Phoenix is hosting a City Council election Tuesday, Nov. 5, to elect a mayor and four members of City Council representing municipal legislative districts found part of the city of Phoenix.
Phoenix City Clerk Denise Archibald certified signatures gathered and all appropriate candidate filings Thursday, July 18, at City Hall, 300 W. Washington St., solidifying the 2024 race for Phoenix City Council.
The city of Phoenix is divided into eight municipal districts whereas members of Phoenix City Council serve four-year terms. For this election cycle, the elected representatives of these districts are up for grabs:
- District 1
- District 3
- District 5
- District 7
Phoenix City Council last September voted unanimously to accept a wide range of district boundary shifts to bring the eight City Council districts within reasonable bounds of population deviations defined by the local charter, which serves like a local constitution for the municipality.
Earlier this year, Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari vacated her District 7 seat to pursue a seat in United States Congress this November as Phoenix City Council last April appointed Carlos Galindo-Elvira to fill the District 7, which he now occupies but is not seeking election this November, records show.
Those in pursuit of election to the open District 7 seat, in alphabetical order, are:
Mr. Nowakowski responded to questions from the Digital Free Press focused on his motivations to run, key issues of the day and what he thinks separates himself from the group of District 7 City Council hopefuls. This is what he had to say:
*Why are you running for Phoenix City Council?
Residents in District 7 regularly approach me asking for help with city issues, and have repeatedly encouraged me over the years to return to Phoenix’s City Council. I am known for listening to different points of view, finding common ground, and getting things done.
We have all noticed that there hasn’t been much progress in District 7 during the past five years.
For example, the northwest Phoenix light-rail system has been built and finished, while residents in south and downtown Phoenix are still waiting for their part of the light-rail expansion to be built. This is only one of the many issues that residents of District 7 have personally asked for help with.
I’m running for Phoenix City Council because I want residents of District 7 to receive their fair share. Residents in District 7 deserve safe neighborhoods and parks, more high-wage jobs, increased opportunities for small businesses, more retail options, and more affordable housing.
*What unique qualifications do you have that separates you from the pack of candidates?
As a father of six children, I understand the needs of working families and respect different points of view. I’m a person who can bring people together from all different walks of life and find common ground. Once you find common ground, you build from that.
I am also the only candidate with 13 years of experience serving Phoenix’s City Council. I have had the honor and privilege of serving District 7 before, so I know its unique needs, challenges, and opportunities.
I work hard, roll up my sleeves, and get through the red tape. I’ve learned these skills through many different jobs I’ve had since I was young. At a young age, I worked in the field with my mother and was a busboy. I also worked for nine years at the Diocese of Phoenix serving in two different roles – assistant director of Youth Ministry and director of Hispanic Ministry. I have worked for the Cesar Chavez Foundation for 23 years as a general manager of a radio station. Through these experiences, I have learned how to be an effective leader.
*What are your top priorities for the city of Phoenix if elected?
- Homelessness
When it comes to homelessness, each person’s situation is so different. We need to get to the root cause before we can help an individual through the problems they are facing at this present moment of their life. - Safe neighborhoods
Keeping neighborhoods and parks safe is one of my top priorities. I will demand a community-based approach to address public safety emergencies with better training and a faster response time. - Affordable housing
I know how hard it is to own your own home for the first time, so we need to create programs for first-time homebuyers. We need to build more affordable housing and workforce housing for hard-working families.
*What are your thoughts on the city’s current infrastructure and how do you plan to improve it?
To elevate our city’s infrastructure, we must give the city’s Economic Development Department the necessary tools and incentives to attract businesses and investments that compete with other growing cities like Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, and Raleigh. Supporting this department will create an economic climate that drives urban growth and brings more high-wage jobs.
Addressing affordable and workforce housing is another essential step in improving our city’s infrastructure. It is imperative to find solutions that can meet the diverse housing needs of our population. This includes expanding planning and zoning permits to facilitate development and reduce unnecessary delays. We can create a more efficient pathway for developers by streamlining these processes.
Lastly, we must continue and grow our partnerships with universities, community colleges, and trade schools to ensure a quality workforce that will attract businesses to our city.
*How will you address the rising cost of living and make Phoenix more affordable for all residents?
Addressing the rising cost of living in Phoenix is a serious issue. It is unfortunate that the Phoenix City Council hasn’t made affordable housing a priority. The city council continues to approve developments with little or no affordable housing units for working families. We do not need more luxury developments. We need to focus on working families who currently need housing to prosper and grow.
I have always been an advocate for affordable housing on the council and plan on continuing that if I am elected. Creating a housing development fund to support nonprofits and affordable housing developers who seek to build homes in our city will be one of the steps I will advocate for to improve this.
I also plan to support and be vocal about important amenities like safe and clean parks, recreational/after-school programs, and libraries. These amenities provide safe environments for children whose families are struggling with affordable housing.
