Candidate Profile: Jami Van Alstine For Wayne County Commissioner

Jami Van Alstine, a Romulus resident is running for Wayne County Commissioner District 11.

Age: 46
Party affiliation: N/A
Family:Children: Marcus, Tristan, Sophia; Grand-children: Skyler, Maeve
Occupation:System Administrator (22yrs); Historical Archaeologist (2yrs)
Previous elected experience:NA
Family members in government:No
Campaign website: http://jamivanalstine.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The COVID economy

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am focused on empowering individuals and businesses and changing the status quo

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have over 20 years of successful project management experience supporting Michigan's automotive industry

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
Remove unnecessary regulations, reduce red-tape, and reform occupational licensing requirements that prevent individuals from starting or growing business. Government needs to be a partner. Additionally, distribution of emergency funds should be allocated to small businesses first. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and critical partners in our communities.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
As commissioner I will focus on critical oversight of the Sheriff's Department; Prosecuting Attorney's Office; Corporation Counsel; Community Corrections; County Clerk; Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; and the Wayne County courts, including Circuit, Juvenile and Probate to ensure accountability at all levels of our criminal justice system. I will advocate for the end of qualified immunity and work to reduce the number of ordinances and regulations that trigger law enforcement interactions with community members.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
Reviewing and reducing property and other county based taxes without impacting essential services by reviewing the county budget and contracts. Residents in our communities are already dealing with higher unemployment, shuttering businesses, and the negative effects of this pandemic. We need to provide relief to as many residents as possible.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Being neither a Republican nor Democrat I will bring a non-partisan perspective, a change from the status quo. I believe individuals are better able to identify and articulate their needs than government is in anticipating them. So, I am focused on actively seeking input and listening to 11th district community members to ensure that the commission is responsive to their needs.