Candidate Profile: Erin Byrnes For Dearborn City Council

Erin Byrnes

Age (as of Election Day)

35

Position Sought

Dearborn City Council

Party Affiliation

Our race is nonpartisan

Family

n/a

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

n/a

Education

Master's Degree in Education, City University of New York; Bachelor of Arts Degree in Women's and Gender Studies, University of Michigan-Dearborn; Diploma, St. Alphonsus High School.

Occupation

Educator, University of Michigan. Ten years at U-M, fifteen years total in the field of education.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Dearborn City Council Member since 2018.

Campaign website

erinfordearborn.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for re-election to Dearborn City Council to enhance quality of life across the city by ensuring great neighborhoods and high-quality city services. I am committed to building a Dearborn that works for and welcomes everyone, and during my first term I have advocated for environmental justice and greater inclusivity.

Dearborn faces numerous challenges including upgrading our infrastructure, promoting economic development and enhancing our public and mental health resources. I am committed to finding solutions to our most pressing issues, and have a track record of being responsive to residents and working with others to get things done for Dearborn.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Dearborn is the intersection of public health and public safety, brought into sharp focus with the recent flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Investments in our infrastructure are key, and will keep residents safe and healthy as we investigate ways to enhance our sewer system while updating Dearborn’s climate action plan to account for and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for greater public health education and direct services throughout our city, and Dearborn must be prepared to offer on-going support in this area. Air quality is another key public health and safety issue and during my first term, I supported an ordinance to address pollution that disproportionately impacts our South End neighborhood. Residents who are routinely exposed to fugitive dust and other pollutants not only have their physical health put at risk, but have also been forced to leave their homes when incidents occur at nearby industrial facilities that require emergency response. We must pay direct attention to these issues and allocate funding to keep residents safe and healthy, and support our first responders who manage the impact of these intersecting issues.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As an educator, I am trained in dialogue facilitation and work regularly with people on opposing sides of an issue. During my first term on City Council, I have seen how important this experience is when it comes to managing conflict and addressing hot button issues. My time in the classroom and at the University level has provided me with the tools necessary to promote social justice and advance equity across our city by taking multiple view points into account, and listening to the needs and concerns of residents.

Dearborn is my home, and I bring a unique perspective to the table having lived in New York City during graduate school and having worked in Ann Arbor for the past ten years. I use what I've learned from both of these experiences when considering how to enhance our business districts, how to attract new residents by making our city more pedestrian-friendly and our neighborhoods more vibrant, and how to provide a safe environment for all who live, work and play in Dearborn.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

n/a

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about tremendous challenges in Dearborn, and as a Council member I worked with my colleagues and elected officials at various levels of government to provide up-to-date information to our residents. I obtained a grant from the United Way that provided 700+ seniors living in our five senior housing buildings with PPE, and voted to fund Dearborn's Consolidated Vaccination Center that administered 70,000+ vaccines to people in Dearborn and neighboring cities. I also used social media to share updates around public safety measures, case numbers and guidance from the CDC as it evolved.

Looking back, I would have worked with our Department of Public Information more closely to host Zoom town halls along with my Council colleagues, as everyone was isolated at the onset and information was rapidly evolving. I was proud to work with City staff to launch the "Mask Up Dearborn" campaign, and would have done that even sooner, knowing what I know now.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am committed to diversity, equity and inclusion work and will continue to be a vocal advocate for these efforts moving forward. Addressing climate change and making Dearborn a local leader in mitigating the impacts of it, is something I am very passionate about. I will work to update our climate action plan, and seek out funding for innovative projects that allow us to harness solar and wind energy, and manage rain water.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

During my first term on City Council, I have responded to outreach from thousands of residents to find answers to their questions and solutions to their problems. I am committed to listening to and working with others for the betterment of Dearborn, and will always have our city's best interests at heart.

Prior to being elected to City Council in 2018, I was selected as a Michigan Political Leadership Program Fellow and worked with folks from across the state and the political spectrum over the course of a year to learn about the key issues facing our state. As a Council member, I have a fresh approach to problem solving and use my prior training to develop strong working relationships with others in city government.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice ever shared with me was to ask questions first, rather than making statements. Leading with questions allows for an open exchange of ideas and information, whereas leading with statements often puts people in a defensive mode leading to a breakdown in communication. I have found this to be true during my first term on Council, and keep this piece of advice in mind often.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like voters to know that I am committed to moving Dearborn forward and they can count on me to be honest and responsive.