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| Maureen Miller Brosnan | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 15 2009, 08:46 PM (323 Views) | |
| Administrator | Sep 15 2009, 08:46 PM Post #1 |
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Administrator
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Discussion and information about Maureen Miller Brosnan here. Website Chamber of Commerce Video http://www.livonia.org/candidate_videos/maureenbrosnan.asp |
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| Administrator | Sep 15 2009, 09:47 PM Post #2 |
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From League of Women Voters voter guide....... http://www.lwvnww.org/files/vg_9-09_livonia.pdf Maureen Miller Brosnan 11320 Arden, Livonia, MI 48150 I wish to once again serve as your voice on the Livonia City Council because I believe Livonia is at a crossroad. We can either rest on our laurels or step up to the challenge of leaving our children a city that is more prosperous, safer and smarter. As a member of the Livonia City Council from 1995-2003, I served as president and vice president, and kept Livonia’s tax rate the lowest in Wayne County. I brought advanced life support services to all Livonia residents, along with one of the nation’s largest indoor playgrounds. I also led a street repair and replacement program that is a model throughout the State. These were huge accomplishments, which set the course for future stability. But the economic climate has changed considerably, and it is once again time for strong leaders to step up and chart a course for Livonia’s future. Formerly executive vice president of one of the nation’s largest association management firms, I am now a full-time volunteer serving on the St. Joseph Mercy Health System board and Michigan State Transportation Commission. My husband Sean and I grew up in Livonia, we are raising our three children here, and like you, are invested in the belief that Livonia’s best days are yet to come. Priorities 1. Balancing the budget – The City’s current cost containment plan takes the easy way out by making across the board cuts. It will take a strong leader to focus on funding core services and reducing or eliminating non-essential services. Asking the police and fire departments to take an across the board cut, while the law department is overstaffed with a parttime department head making a full-time salary, is a good example of where I would begin to make those tough decisions. 2. Protecting the integrity of our neighborhoods -- Our spirit of community and strong neighborhoods make Livonia special. We accomplish that by maintaining exceptional public safety services and a low tax rate. I will work to strengthen our neighborhoods by partnering with the schools to launch a Youth Corps pilot project where students volunteer to help with landscaping and exterior improvements on homes of residents in need of a little help. The program will be done in partnership with landscape companies, businesses, and the city. 3. Keeping and attracting business in both our commercial and industrial areas -- I will work to reduce the red tape that slows down the business approval process by initiating a program called Redevelopment Ready Community so we are uniquely poised to condense project timelines, reduce risks and cost to investors, and win needed investment in our city. |
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| Anna Krome | Oct 25 2009, 12:23 PM Post #3 |
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Brosnan Is Back BY ANNA KROME The interview is taking place at Maureen Miller Brosnan's 80-year-old Rosedale Gardens home, which she's shared with her husband, Sean, for 17 years. It's artfully decorated and neat as a pin. The tea is served in a china pot at a bench-style large wooden table that is sizable enough for her three active children--Marie, 14, Brendan Rory, 12, and Eleanor, 7. Brosnan, 46, who won Livonia's city council primary in September, is an experienced and politically mature contender with over 15 years of public service behind her. She is known for her broad perspective and intelligence. Brosnan first held office in 1995, at age 32, when she became only the fifth woman to serve on city council in 50 years. At that time, she was appointed to a vacant council position, besting 24 applicants, and went on to serve for nearly nine years until 2003. She says what inspired her to serve was the mentoring she received from some of Livonia's most noted politicians--Ed McNamara, Mike Duggan, Bob Bennett, Bob Bishop and Joe Taylor, to name a few. "From each of them I learned many different things about what makes a good public servant. But while each of them shared a different strength with me, they all commonly shared a belief in the role of an elected official as a servant of the community," she said. The Central Michigan University graduate is a former full-time journalist and former owner of her own public relations firm. Today, Brosnan holds volunteer positions, such as serving as a member of the State of Michigan's Transportation Commission and a board member of St. Joseph Mercy Health Care System. "I can afford to give my time like this, and I feel privileged to work with health care and transportation." She's proud of her work with these organizations, as well as her efforts for other groups, including the Livonia Economic Development Task Force, the Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast and as chair of the Greenmead Garden Walk. The candidate speaks her mind directly and answers candidly when asked about the infamous 2007 campaign against her in the mayoral race two years ago. She says, "That was $50,000 of negative campaigning." In the 2009 race, Brosnan says, "We're targeting bipartisan core voters and working the phones. I'm on the phone and walking door-to-door every day, reaching out to voters. You always run as if you're in last place. "We're smart. The economy is tough and there are not the resources to be exorbitant in this campaign. I'm relying on my family to help me." And, almost on cue, Brosnan's father, Mr. Miller, arrives to the barks of Finnegan, the family dog. Mr. Miller's been putting out signs and making phone calls to voters. Brosnan handles her father with much grace and kindness. It's obvious that this is a family that works well together. So what are the voters telling her when she meets them? "You peek into people's lives. They will stand and talk and they say they like their community." On current Livonia topics, including Mayor Kirksey's former plan for reducing snow plowing, which rocked many vocal citizens: "I will do whatever I can to maintain public safety. We can do this with snow-plowing efficiency and working with the department. The current methods are outdated and never matched up with the new equipment." To the recent concern over cell-towers, which some residents say will be an eyesore? "Unless the community starts standing up and saying 'no,'--we can't ask for a little bit more than what we're getting," she says. For the courthouse and its location, Brosnan says that she wishes that the design and implemenation had been "...more green. It seems as if the only ones going green in Livonia are the [Felician] Sisters." Brosnan has specific plans if she returns to city council: "We must set the example of going green. The city is missing the mark. We're Tree City, USA. Livonia has more green space set aside than anywhere in the metro area. We've got the largest parks outside of Detroit. Young families will appreciate that and will want to come to a city that is environmentally conscious." Another concept? "My youth corps idea is to have young people volunteer and help the elderly with simple maintenance, such as trimming the bushes--doing some painting. When you walk up to someone's house, you can tell right away what they need. Some have criticized the idea, saying young people won't want to help. I disagree. We need to build up our infrastructure and this is one way to do that." Which brings the conversation to the city buying foreclosed homes, a plan that has brought both criticism and praise from the constituents: "I want to see a conclusive plan." On her reputation for being a serious, cooperative negotiator: "My goal is to be council president, and as such I will embrace each council member's individual agenda, and then move things along to sit with each of them and get a viable plan for implementing their agendas. Each council member has been elected because of their glimmers of brilliance, and I want to work with each of them." On term limits, Brosnan (who did not run in 2004, because of the city's consecutive term-limit rule) offers this take: "I don't agree with term limits, and yet I do feel that I've benefitted from stepping away from office for a while. I've had the 'regular' citizen experience and it's helped me to gain a new perspective." Government transparency is also a big issue with Brosnan. "It's always been my goal to have transparency." She adds, "The way meetings are run now--we rush through to the finish. We breeze through things and use language and lingo that the people may not be familiar with. I want to slow things down and ask the right questions." Like some other council members, Brosnan vows, if elected, not to take the health insurance or pension, which are available to every member of the council. On what she likes about the city right now: That includes the job City Treasurer Dennis Wright is doing with Livonia's businesses. She says, "He talks with business and I appreciate that. We've got to get out there and encourage a personal relationship with our businesses and pat them on the back. For example, the Bread Basket on Middlebelt is improving its facade. We need to thank them for doing that." If Brosnan does as well as the polls seem to indicate, Livonia will have a strong council member with plenty of experience negotiating and improving. "I believe each person brings their best to the table, and I can work with anyone," she says. I, for one, believe her. AK is a freelance writer. |
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Krome on Cars | |
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| Raise the standard | Oct 28 2009, 07:58 AM Post #4 |
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Having read Anna Krome's interviews with candidates it needs to be said: "thank you." You have presented material that paints a picture of each candidate. They are enjoyable to read, filled with valuable information, and a real help with gathering information about the candidates. Thank you Anna! |
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| pattyj | Oct 30 2009, 09:15 PM Post #5 |
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PLEASE.... |
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| Mrs.M | Oct 30 2009, 09:45 PM Post #6 |
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PLEASE...AND Thank YOU! Absolutely right! People need to remember their manners. Thank you for your time with the candidates that you've interviewed. Sometimes the questions of course at a forum are intended for 'certain' people and it's quite obvious in their answers. Edited by Mrs.M, Oct 31 2009, 09:35 AM.
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| Anna Krome | Oct 31 2009, 08:53 AM Post #7 |
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I'm lost here. What are you guys saying about me and the article I've written? |
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Krome on Cars | |
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| Anna Krome | Oct 31 2009, 08:54 AM Post #8 |
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What do you mean patty? I think you're being insulting to me, are you? |
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Krome on Cars | |
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| Xena | Oct 31 2009, 11:15 AM Post #9 |
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Thank you Anna. Most appreciate your interviews, but you know there's always that one negative person. |
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| injuneer | Oct 31 2009, 11:22 AM Post #10 |
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I wouldn't mind knowing what thought process you used to pick the candidates you interviewed. It seems to present a balanced picture you would interview all the major candidates instead of cherry picking certain ones. The McGrail interview certainly painted a rosy picture of the guy yet once he started speaking for himself on here it became clearer that he is hardly the 'man for the 21st century'. Just my opinion, i'm not trying to be insulting in any way. |
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| Mrs.M | Oct 31 2009, 12:26 PM Post #11 |
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I'd say the title of McGrail's interview was an attempt to get the reader's attention. Journalists try attention getting techniques. The interview took place in June, quite early in the campaign. The title didn't say a man for Livonia, just for the 21st century (and that's got a long life) Jimid needs to pay these reporters a bit more and they'd be able to interview more candidates. I didn't interview any of them so my article title is lacking a whole lot. |
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