Candidate Profile: Karen J. Adams For Oakland County Commissioner

Karen J. Adams, a Commerce Township resident is running for Oakland County Commissioner District 7.

Age: 64
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Family:I met my husband and devoted partner of 40 years at the University of Michigan. We are fortunate to have our two daughters, Stephanie and Ashleigh, living near us. Both our daughters work in healthcare. Stephanie recently received her doctorate and is a nursing professor and a NICU nurse. Ashleigh's degree is in sociology and her vocation is working with the elderly.
Occupation:retired but active volunteer
Previous elected experience:elected to a school board, appointed to a planning commission
Family members in government:no
Campaign website: https://www.votekarenadams.com

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Infrastructure
Crucial to protecting our lakes and drinking water is maintaining and improving our water and sewer systems. Many residents in our district have wells, so protecting our aquifer is crucial, as is addressing the potential health and safety crisis posed by aging septic systems. Our roads are in disrepair and our public utilities, like electricity and Internet service, are unreliable. With so many people working remotely and children educated at home, reliable broadband internet is more crucial than ever. I want to bring District 7 into the 21st century. We are not getting the federal funds we deserve because they have not been requested in the past to help fund these improvement projects. I will work to apply for these funds as an investment in our community. These needed projects would create high paying jobs.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I pledge to be available, accessible and responsive to the people I represent and will promote transparency in county government. Above all else county government should work for all the residents, not a select few.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I will use my experience as school board member where I championed education and certification programs for the community, my position as an assistant borough manager, and my near-decade experience serving on a local planning commission, volunteer work I’ve done in my community for organizations like the Red Cross and Lions Club as well as my daughters’ schools, and my experience as a volunteer in the community. I am willing to do the research and the work to create effective and fair policy and am committed to listening to the concerns of constituents and responding to them.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
We must implement sound public health policies utilizing the expertise of the
health department to control the spread of the virus so that we may recover. We must support local businesses in implementing these practices. Through grants, loans and PPE kits, we can continue to support local businesses. Since I am running for a county office, I support expanding the services of the Economic and Community Affairs Department to help local business recover and access all the services available.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
We must realize that, if one of us is harmed, we all are. We must fight racism and injustice wherever we find it. We must be staunch allies with people who experience oppression. I will work with our state legislators, the county prosecutor, law enforcement, courts and the health department to address deeper issues like police practices, disparities in healthcare, housing and education, and other factors that disadvantage minority Americans. . We can, and we must create a better society for all of us, not just a select few.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
I will advocate for policies that protect our lakes and groundwater from contaminants like PFAS and harmful algal blooms, and I will seek out all available state and federal funds to aid in this effort. Together we can preserve our lakes so that our residents can enjoy them for generations to come and ensure that the water we all drink is safe.
Many residents in our district have wells, so protecting our aquifer is crucial, as is addressing the potential health and safety crisis posed by aging septic systems. Our roads are in disrepair and our public utilities, like electricity and Internet service, are unreliable. With so many people working remotely and children educated at home, reliable broadband internet is more crucial than ever. I want to bring District 7 into the 21st century.
Public health must be a priority. I support expanding the health department, ensuring adequate testing sites, and getting our front line workers the PPE they need.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want to work to restore faith in our government. I value strong leadership and effective management and I know that government can work well for people when it is actually led by people who know the issues, understand policy, and are careful with public funds. I am knowledgeable about local concerns, have experience crafting and implementing policy, and have always put people first when serving my community.