BARBARA DOMER: Valparaiso City Council District 3

Most of us believe every person in this city and every part of this city deserves the public resources that bind neighborhoods and neighbors together — safety, infrastructure, acceptance, schools and parks, to name just a few.  Our interactions with our city government should leave us feeling satisfied that a real person worked to solve our issue.

As your representative in City Council, I am taking a leadership role in making this great city a safer, more affordable and welcoming community. I have heard about issues important to you and my top priorities are summarized as infrastructure improvements, city government transparency and civic engagement. My platform follows:

1. Support increased funding for infrastructure improvement.  I heard you when you said that we ALL deserve the resources to maintain the infrastructure of ALL our neighborhoods. 
2. Task the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission to fund down payment grants to police, fire fighters, teachers and other essential workers. These occupations keep this city running and serve a vital role in our community.  These essential workers should be able to live in the community they serve.
3. Task the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission to explore opportunities to find ways to retain young adults/graduates and veterans in the city.
4. Task the Valparaiso Redevelopment and Economic Development Commissions to target economic development by creating good paying jobs in the community.
5. Call for an evaluation of the city purchasing practices and expect all consulting services contracts to be publicly discussed at regularly scheduled city council meetings.
6. I expect the 2016 Valparaiso Responsible Bidder’s Ordinance to be followed. You can expect a “no” vote from me if not.
7. I support using project labor agreements to establish the terms and conditions of employment for construction projects. GOOD PAYING JOBS LIFT UP COMMUNITIES.
8. I support closing the gender pay gap for city government employees.  I will be a change maker by contributing to the development of a healthy workplace culture.  My conduct as a public official will be guided by the 2006 Ethics Ordinance.
9. Demand a more transparent hiring process for city employees.
10. Support resolutions by the city and school board in informing Valparaiso parents of their responsibility of secure storage of firearms in their homes.
11. Support Valparaiso recognizing the month of June as Pride month, taking one small step towards making this great city a more inclusive, welcoming, and equitable community. The city must prove to be a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community in a geographical ethnically diverse region of the state/country and be welcoming to all! Walk the talk!
12. I will be accountable to residents by sharing information in an open, honest, consistent, and dependable way.  District 3 residents can expect semi-annual town halls.
13. I will listen and lead by supporting issues shaped by us all. Every voice will be heard, not just the wealthy, well-connected or loud ones.
14. Valparaiso School Board of Trustees: I would support a study of the pros/cons of elected vs. appointed board positions.
15. Diversity/Inclusion- The city must prove to be a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community in a geographical ethnically diverse region of the state/country and be welcoming to all! Walk the talk!
16. Accessibility – Equity, equity, equity! This city has the responsibility and obligation to provide the “step up” to the residents who require this in their day-to-day activities! I am supportive of requiring access ramps for all downtown buildings. Why can’t people who are fortunate enough to have the full use of their legs walk up a ramp to enter a shop/restaurant?
17. Annexation of County land into City Property- I am opposed to non-contiguous annexation; I believe that law was passed in Indiana for political reasons. I support thoughtful annexation and would expect robust discussion when requests come forward. It is not all about the AV!
18. Valparaiso Police– I fully support hiring more social workers to the department.
19. Valparaiso Fire- top notch
20. City Utilities- I am supportive of a feasibility study on accessing water from Lake Michigan. Valparaiso is in the Lake Michigan watershed!
21. Taxes-I pledge to be a good steward of the people’s money to be used only to achieve a prosperous and functional municipality.
22. City District Maps – Establish independent commission for city redistricting. Thank you to Councilman Cotton for engaging the League of Women Voters of Porter County who demonstrated the maps could be drawn by the citizens for free!
23. Voter Access – Mobile voting unit visits to high schools during early voting. Let’s engage our youth. E-learning days on election day is not a motivating force for young adults to get out and vote!
24. Valparaiso Parks – (1) ALL city parks MUST be accessible and compliant to ADA requirements. It is hard to believe in 2023 this is not the situation. (2) Install rain gardens to be maintained by city parks department. Rain gardens filter pollutants from pavements where runoff drains into the Salt Creek Watershed and eventually, into our beautiful fresh water Lake Michigan!