Elections 2013: Rose Johnson

NAME: Rose Johnson<br /> <br /> OCCUPATION: Small business owner<br /> <br /> Candidate for Mayor of Gainesville<br /> <br /> 1) Why are you running for this office? <br /> <br /> In 2012 when I was asked to run for mayor I begin to think about why it would be important for me to run, right now at this point in time and my mind raced back to my teen age years growing up in Newtown. I thought about my mother and how she took care of my two brothers and me, living in that three-room shotgun house with the outside toilet in the 70s. I remembered how cold it was in the winter time to have to go outside to try to just take a bath. I thought about how my mother worked at the "chicken house" for 25 years but didn't seem to mind because we weren't just surviving in that three-room house, it was our home and to us it was a beautiful place. When we stepped out the door all around us was a community of people who loved and cared about who we were and what we would become. <br /> <br /> I also thought about how my classmates and I were taught by our teachers at Fair Street, Butler and Gainesville High to lead by example; and, how their examples of leadership and their instructions have really been the guiding principles that have helped to shape my life.<br /> <br /> I believe it is these values, and many like them that stirred within me a deeply rooted passion to serve humanity at an early age and to work to improve the quality of life for people everywhere. Running for office in 2013 is an extension of my life's work in public service.<br /> <br /> 2) Is this first time you have run for political office? (If "no," please explain.)<br /> <br /> No, I ran for State Representative for District 40 in Atlanta in the late 1980s and for City Council here in Gainesville twice in 1990 and 1995.<br /> <br /> 3) What qualifications for the office do you bring to the campaign?<br /> <br /> -20 years experience working with diverse populations<br /> -20 years experience working with communities to improve police community relations<br /> -15 years working in philanthropy, public and private foundations and government grant making<br /> -25 years experience working with non-profit organizations from start up to sustainability<br /> -25 years experience working with the faith community developing partnerships to meet the needs of disadvantaged families and children<br /> -15 years experience working with communities on disaster relief and recovery<br /> -20 years experience in Voting Rights and Redistricting<br /> -Specialist in race relations and reconciliation <br /> <br /> 4) What do you see as the biggest concern/issue facing the city of Gainesville? And, please explain your answer.<br /> <br /> The biggest issue facing the city from a planning stand point is continuing to work to meet our future transportation needs. As we prepare for population increases on into 2020, build upon our reputation as a regional trade center and expand our tourism programs, being able to meet roadway and major corridor demands will be critical.<br /> <br /> 5) Are there any specific goals you have in mind that you would like to accomplish if you are elected? And, please explain your answer.<br /> <br /> There are three specific goals that I have in mind that involve: economic development, housing and neighborhood preservation, and disaster preparedness. <br /> <br /> Economic Development- It is vitally important that we continue to develop strategies to reduce the jobless rate among young people, 55 and older and the chronically unemployed. I also look forward to working with the council members and the Economic Development Council to help improve opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses; women owned businesses and service disabled veteran owned businesses. <br /> <br /> Housing and Neighborhood Preservation- In the area of housing, I look forward to supporting staff in their current work and am hopeful that one day there will be enough available housing stock inside the city to begin a move back campaign to encourage people who once lived here to move back into the city. <br /> <br /> Preserving and protecting traditional neighborhoods is also essential. Continuing to work toward a goal of developing programs that express the idea that the pride of all of our neighborhoods is the cornerstone of what makes us a great city is so important. And when people come to town who want to see why we value protecting our neighborhoods and are working diligently to revitalize existing housing stock, we eagerly showcase the Northside and the Southside, the Eastside and the Westside to say look at what we are doing and listen to the plans that we have for our future. When we boast about the history of these incredible neighborhoods, their distinct cultures and the things that neighbors love about where they live we become connected to each other in more meaningful ways. <br /> <br /> Disaster Preparedness- As a city with a history of three major disasters; a fire, cyclone and tornado we can only be as effective as the community of people who understand what our disaster plans are. Disaster preparedness must be moved to the top of our priority list. We must encourage citizens to meet with emergency management staff and for emergency management staff to expand plans to meet with communities; so that when disaster strikes those with means and those with less means are not just victims of a storm but also participants in the recovery process. <br /> <br /> 6) Do you favor the city's continued used of the "islands" annexation policy it has been using in recent years? And, please explain your answer.<br /> <br /> The City of Gainesville must have a uniform annexation plan. However, its implementation and enforcement strategies can be more thoughtful and sensitive to the concerns of commercial property owners. <br /> <br /> All throughout Gainesville's approach to doing business, creating incentives for businesses to move here, there is a message being promoted we want to work with you, we value your business and we value your investment in the community. It is important that the same sentiment and approach be extended to county business owners who have been or will face island annexation. <br /> <br /> I am not in favor of a business owner being forced to annex. If the major concern is double taxation, we have a highly skilled staff that could probably develop incentive opportunities that may make the issue more palatable to commercial business owners. Similarly, when the city begins to address issues of island annexations for residential properties, more thought, consideration and forums for community education are necessary to carefully consider the impact on the city school system and to assess how voting strength may be impacted. <br /> <br /> 7) Do you favor eliminating left turns on Green Street? And, please explain your answer. <br /> <br /> Because of my concern for the businesses that would be directly impacted by eliminating left turns, I favor looking at peak period traffic options that could address traffic flow issues when drivers are headed to work, school and trying to do business along Green Street. <br /> <br /> 8) A number of other suggestions and questions have been raised during a series of meetings this year dealing with the transportation issues facing the city. Short-term and long-term, what are the answers in your opinion? <br /> <br /> Even though widely publicized, one of the shortfalls of the process was the lack of citizen involvement. Before moving forward with short and long term suggestions, we should incorporate additional/different kinds of opportunities for citizen participation particularly in areas where suggestions directly impact residential communities.<br /> <br /> 9) A suit involving the city and Hall County over sales tax revenues was recently settled. Overall, how would you assess the relationship between the city and the county? <br /> <br /> I assess the relationship between city and county as promising. At all levels from the city council to county commission, from county manager to city manager, from staff department heads to employees from both governments interfacing with each other on a daily basis, there are different levels and degrees of relationships to consider. There will always be issues that are tenuous and have the potential to strain relationships but the willingness to discuss and disagree, then move to an ultimate place of finding common ground makes the potential for future relationship building more promising.<br /> <br /> 10) Do you favor changing the city's at-large voting system to a by-district system? And, please explain your answer.<br /> <br /> I am in favor of district voting. At-large voting dilutes minority voting strength and makes it virtually impossible for voters under the at-large voting system to elect the candidate of their choice. Voters by district should have the right to elect their own candidate, and their right to exercise their will should not be hampered by voters in other districts who don't have the same interest or and concerns. <br /> <br /> 11) What should the city be doing to ensure that its long-term water needs are met? <br /> <br /> To make sure long term water needs are met, the city should continue to follow the recommendations of Public Works staff and the Army Corp of Engineers to make sure conservation goals are met each year.