HomeMy WebLinkAboutCarol Voisin
Application for Council Seat 6
Carol Voisin
Interest in Council Seat 6:
Having termed out of Council Seat 1 after serving two full four-year terms as an Ashland
City Councilor, I left office with several unfinished projects that I'd like to see through to
completion. One of my longstanding priorities serving on the Council was guiding citizens
through the intricate legislative processes that Ashland government presents, and continuing in
this effort further motivates me to submit my application. My knowledge of issues,
personalities, and governing processes is especially crucial in these extraordinary times; even
small communities like Ashland are sure to be impacted by decisions made in our nation's
capitol. I bring eight years of crucial experience on the City Council, experience that is needed
in these challenging times.
What do you think are the biggest issues facing the city?
The most immediate issue is balancing the city budget for the next two years with the
demands of PERS, 10x20 ordinance, departments requesting additional personnel, CIP
prioritizing, and the funding of citizen services. A long-term issue that needs addressing is
revision of the Comprehensive Plan. We need to develop a 21St Century plan via a process in
which citizens are invited to participate in setting the vision and direction for our community.
Affordable housing for those who work in Ashland is at crisis levels. The Affordable Housing
Trust Fund can be an instrument that begins to tackle the crisis, once revenue streams are
identified to monetize the Fund. Finally, before hiring a new City Administrator, I feel the
Council might consider the pros and cons of a city manager vs. city administrator form of
government. Including public discourse in this deliberation would be crucial to determining
whether we might need a change.
What is your primary motivation for seeking the vacant council seat?
My motivation is to continue bringing a progressive, critical-thinking approach and
perspective to the actions of the Council.
What community and city activities have you been involved in recently?
Most recently, I served on Ashland's City Council for eight years while teaching Ethical
Thinking at Southern Oregon University. I served as liaison to the Tree Commission, The Ashland
Historic Commission, the Band Committee, and the Ashland Water Advisory Committee. I served
on the Housing Commission, the Facilities Planning Commission, and the Affordable Housing
Trust Fund committee. I participate in several citizen-organized groups to address local issues
and am a current member of Ashland's chapter of the American Association of University
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RECEIVED JAN272017
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What is the role of a city councilor?
The simple answer is to serve the citizens of Ashland. The complexity emerges in
balancing multiple competing interests. Ideally, a city councilor carries the community's values
into policymaking processes and balances citizen needs and priorities with those presented by
city staff. Whether repairing or building new infrastructure or addressing social issues such as
homelessness, a councilor's job must be to stay in as close touch as possible with the people
and to balance their concerns against the strictures and limits imposed by city government via
law and statute and its view to the broader public good. A councilor listens to citizens but also
hears their larger concerns and ensures that those concerns guide decision-making; citizens
inform the Council, and Council directs staff, not the other way around.