The Morgan Hill Times gave each city council candidate a slate
of 12 questions. Here are the answers from Michael Castelan. Also,
view a video of Castelan at http://blip.tv/file/4177399.
The Morgan Hill Times gave each city council candidate a slate of 12 questions. Here are the answers from Michael Castelan.
- What leadership qualities can you bring to the dais if elected?
Several leadership qualities are important for councilmember in order to be effective in this position. Impartiality, the ability to be able to fairly consider both sides of the issue at hand, is extremely important. I also believe in coming to the table prepared to make a decision, making sure I have all of the information about the issue that is available. And in the final stage of decision-making, I will bring the question to a close, guiding my fellow councilmember’s in ending the discussion when appropriate.
- What are your top priorities?
My top priorities as an elected official of the city are the safety and well-being of the citizens and financial conservancy and responsibility in dealing with the funds we have authority to administer.
- What programs and/or services would you cut or save to balance the budget and how would you pay for them?
This question depends on the situation prevailing at the time and the variety of factors involved in each individual program and community needs. There are too many variables involved to allow for a general answer of this question.
- Explain your approach to negotiating with employee unions?
The most important factors in negotiating with employee groups is to come to the table well prepared and with a willingness to compromise and negotiate.
- Do you support a two-tier retirement system?
Yes.
- How do you feel about RDA-financed downtown development plans, including the fate of the vacant Granada Theater building?
The RDA funding is in general a good theory, it just needs adjustment.
- How should the city address planning and developing in other parts of the city, such as the Southeast Quad?
Any planning activities in any area deserves the same attention to detail, there are no special areas.
- What is the city’s role, if any, in working with the school district?
The school district is a separate entity, but city and district officials need to work together cooperatively for future planning and development projects and public safety issues.
- In light of the Cinco de Mayo incident at LOHS, what steps would you take, if any, to improve race relations?
That is entirely up to the school district.
- What are your plans, if any, to attract new businesses to Morgan Hill?
We need to show prospective businesses that there is a reason for them to locate in Morgan Hill, that the community has a vibrant life, one conducive to supporting a wide variety of businesses.
- What prompted you to run?
After many years in the community, as a former business owner and someone who cares about Morgan Hill, I felt we needed a better mix of ideas in our government.
- Do you think changes are needed to the city’s speaker policy and council meetings, and if so what changes would you make?
No.
