John K. Bennett
Q: Where can people go to learn more about your biography? If not readily available online, please describe in 150 words or less, your relevant experience, public offices held (if any), involvement in environmental causes, and membership in any environmental organizations. If you currently hold office, describe any votes or actions demonstrating concern for the environment.
Community
Q: If elected, how will you work with Detroit residents to ensure that they benefit from and partake in the decision-making surrounding local development projects and that potential adverse impacts of those projects are identified, measured, monitored and mitigated? Moreover, how would you work to put more power into the hands of residents to maintain and revitalize their own communities and to access vacant land through the DLBA?
A: We have to not only enforce the ordinances that are on the books that maintain that Detroiters should have a seat at the table like the community advisory council. We need to enforce and enhance zoning laws to keep unwanted businesses out of our communities. We also need to include Detroit contractors at the forefront when job bids through the city come about. I intend to have an office in my District as well as my own community advisory committee to guide and direct.
Q: If elected, what budget appropriations would you propose to increase investment in needed social and environmental services to help improve the quality of life and health of Detroit residents?
A: Job training and placement is important to improving or sustaining the quality of life for Detroit residents. I think it’s also important to recruit first responders who live in the city and incentivize them to stay. I also would like to see city workers/retirees have and maintain healthcare.
Public Health
Q: What long term solutions do you see for addressing vehicle speeds and making our streets safer?
A: I think speed bumps are a start. We have to get drivers to slow down in residential areas especially. This may require strict enforcement for a period until people get the message. I’m not inclined to partake in finding drag racers a place to do this activity. If that is to be done, that should not involve the city of Detroit in any way. What’s done on private property is less of a concern unless someone’s life is in danger or they are harmed in any way. This along with the pollution issue in 48217 are serious areas of concern that need addressing however the air quality issue is not something I foresee landing on city councils desk. That said the body power over ordinances and contracts which could indirectly affect that issue and they also have some influence over the board of zoning appeal
Q: How will you work to reduce the negative health impacts of air quality on the residents of Detroit?
A: Protecting our air quality with enforcement of stricter laws for polluters and big corporations, not just paying fines but producing lower emissions is important and where council can weigh in on those issues I will be in full support.
Q: If elected, what actions will you take to work toward safer, healthier, and more affordable housing for all Detroiters?
A: Detroit has thousands of vacant abandoned homes. Those that can’t be saved should be demolished thereby bringing about cleaner, safer environments for families. Those that can be saved should be refurbished and families in need of housing should be allowed to rent to buy and provided assistance from the City to purchase that home. If we rehabilitate these structures we can rehabilitate the neighborhoods that they’re in.
Energy
Q: What are your priorities to reduce emissions and lessen the impacts of climate change in Detroit during your term in office?
A: Anyone who is a polluter, particularly contractors should be forbidden from participating in a contractual relationship with the city of Detroit. One of the solutions to expanding renewable energy is through energy freedom. Energy freedom seeks to expand microgrids, community solar, get rid of the cap on net metering, as well as improve rates that customers receive for power sent back to the grid through rooftop solar. It gives people more freedom on how to spend their hard-earned money by empowering them to make decisions about the energy they use.
Q: What are your plans for helping the city transition to renewable energy and how will you ensure that the cost benefits and increased resilience that come from the use of renewables is made accessible to low-income and vulnerable communities across Detroit?
A: My focus would be having the most impacted and displaced residents in the forefront of learning and receiving direct access to sustainability. Big corporations not taking accountability for reducing carbon emissions are participating in this negative impact. We have to hold them accountable.
Recycling
Q: How can the city increase recycling, composting, and the use of post-consumer recycled materials, while addressing the city’s litter and illegal dumping problem?
A: When we had the incinerator we still had a problem of illegal dumping, even with bulk pick up. Stricter enforcement and incentivizing people not to dump is an option.
Jobs
Q: What steps would you take to prepare the local workforce to take advantage of and be part of the movement toward a green economy, through qualifying for good paying infrastructure and clean energy jobs, amongst others?
A: Job training and placement. Also incentivizing and inviting green companies to set up shop in Detroit, hire Detroiters and do relentless follow up to ensure that they are meeting the agreement as outlined.
Water
Q: How will you ensure that clean water is accessible and affordable to all Detroiters?
A: Adopting a water affordability plan because water is a human right and everyone has the right to have access to clean affordable water. Create policies that protect our water and ensure the people will have oversight.
Q: How will you help municipal agencies and property owners integrate Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) across the city to manage stormwater and reduce drainage charge fees for property owners?
A: I need to research this question.
Optional
Q: Please identify the top environmental concerns to you personally, identify the environmental issue in your community that is the most pressing, and what you would like to do as an elected official to address this most pressing concern.
A: Quality of life; safety. We have to make our city safe thereby raising the quality of life. Everything starts with safety.
