By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
The city of Phoenix is hosting a City Council election Tuesday, Nov. 5, to elect a mayor and four members of City Council representing municipal legislative districts across the municipality.
The city of Phoenix is divided into eight municipal districts whereas members of Phoenix City Council serve 4-year terms. For this election cycle, the elected representatives of these districts are up for grabs:
- District 1
- District 3
- District 5
- District 7
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:
Of Note: District 7 candidate Emilio Avila Solis withdrew from the race earlier this month, which was reported by Taylor Seely at the AZCentral.
1ON1 with Michael Nowakowski, Phoenix City Council District 7 candidate
District 7 candidate Michael Nowakowski — a former elected leader at Phoenix City Hall — responded to questions from the Digital Free Press focused on what he believes are the major issues facing downtown Phoenix and other areas found within District 7 boundaries — and, if elected, what he intends to do about it.
*From your perspective, what is the No. 1 issue facing District 7?
The No. 1 issue facing District 7 is the lack of equitable distribution of resources and amenities. While other parts of Phoenix are experiencing significant investments in new infrastructure, parks, and community facilities, our district has not received its fair share.
*Does this major issue align with what residents are telling you as you campaign for the upcoming City Council election?
Yes, residents frequently ask me why District 7 is not receiving the same level of investment and attention as other parts of Phoenix. This is the reason why I decided to run, because I get calls on a weekly basis asking for help with city issues. It’s not right that we aren’t receiving our fair share.
*For those who are experiencing homelessness, if you are elected, how will you help to serve both the vulnerable community and the interests of concerned community members?
If I am elected, I will address homelessness as both a safety and human rights issue. Our neighborhoods must be safe, and people experiencing homelessness should be treated with dignity and respect. In order to solve this issue, we must take the Team PHX approach, which is getting our community together with law enforcement and social services to create a solution that works for everyone.
*What do you think is the best way to help the city work with vulnerable populations to get to the root cause of the problem: to help provide positive change in this area?
The best way to help the city work with vulnerable populations is by going into the community and talking with people who need help. During my time on the council, I prioritized going out into the community and asking residents questions to learn more about what issues directly affect them.
By simply listening to residents’ concerns and asking follow-up questions, I’m able to identify the root cause of an issue. I can then better understand the issue from their perspective, and bring that perspective to the council to find a solution.
A great example of this is when Phoenix Rescue Mission expressed interest in expanding its services to 35th Avenue and Durango.
The governor and local officials wanted to put up a homeless shelter without first meeting with the local community, including business owners and nearby school parents, to listen to their concerns. Once we talked and figured out what was best for the community, we were able to deliver a great homeless shelter that everyone in the community could support and get behind. Phoenix Rescue Mission is a closed campus, which helps people experiencing homelessness and allows for residents to feel safe.
*If elected, how will you work collaboratively with the community and the municipality to help those in need in downtown Phoenix?
The role of a city council member is to be engaged and interact with the residents in your district.
I did this for 13 years when I was on the council. I hosted and attended baseball clinics, take-back-your-neighborhood events, movies in the parks, and other community events. During these community events, you make yourself available to the community to talk with you, to share information, listen to concerns, and to ensure that important issues are being addressed.
*What do you think City Hall can do better when it comes to communicating what is happening in downtown Phoenix, both from a positive standpoint and a critical one?
City Hall, just like all forms of government, can do a better job at sharing information and keeping Phoenix residents engaged.
We cannot expect residents to drive all the way into downtown Phoenix, to City Hall, and try to find parking to meet with their council members; the council members need to be accessible by going into the communities in their neighborhoods to meet with residents.
When I served as a council member, I would take the district office into the community. I would create office hours in our libraries, community centers, parks, and recreational areas to bring the city to the community.
