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Meet Your Chelsea Mayoral Candidates

On Nov. 2, Chelsea voters will choose a new mayor and three city council members, all for four year terms.

In addition to what they answered for Chelsea Update, here is the link to the recent Candidate Forum.

Running for mayor are Cheri Albertson and Jane Pacheco. In alphabetical order, below are the questions they were asked and their answers. The City Council candidates are in a separate story.

Cheri Albertson.

Cheri Albertson

Occupation: MS/MSW/Ph.D. Psychology/Clinical Social Work/Social Research

Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a city commission and if so, please explain how it’s prepared you for service to the City of Chelsea?

2000/2021 – City Council

How long have you lived in Chelsea?  Since 1981

Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all Chelsea residents?

Sitting on Chelsea City Council is an important public and community service.

Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign, i.e. why are you running for city office?

1.To work toward restoring community cohesion.

2.Identifying and maintaining a stewardship that is community focused.

Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address those two issues listed above.

  1. Restoring civility requires a commitment from Council toward our community members – and our community/residents will hopefully share in this commitment. To set aside “partisan” differences and recognize City Council is by both definition as well as structure, “Non-partisan”. This meaning the entire community is the focus of City Council.
  2. Maintaining an open and transparent governance that is both recognized as such and is well utilized by every person residing within the City of Chelsea.

In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.

In addition to significant and uninterrupted Council experience, my professional work has also provided important opportunities for recognizing the importance of the individual voice – this meaning “listening” rather than “telling”, “asking” rather than “telling”, “encouraging” the individual voice rather than becoming impatient.  Chelsea City Council should demonstrate itself as both proactive and response.

What are your top priorities as an elected official?

To maintain an unwavering ethical approach to governance.

To maintain an unwavering ethical approach to the management of public monies

To maintain an unwavering ethical approach to civility, transparency, and the voice of the public.

Are you familiar with, and have you read the City Charter and the Council Rules?

Many times. I was elected to the Charter Commission and participated in creating this important document. The City Charter of the City of Chelsea is as important to Chelsea as the Constitution of the United States is to the U.S., as the Constitution of the State of Michigan is to Michigan. 

The City Charter is the document that provides for the well being of Chelsea, identifies what structure Chelsea City government should look like, what Chelsea City government can and cannot do.

Council cannot abrogate nor disregard the tenants of this document. 

Council Rules are derived from the City Charter and are provided to aid both Council and the public in understanding governance policies and procedures. But additionally important – both the Charter and Council Rules are meant to encourage and maintain the highest ideals of governance as well as collegial and respectful interactions.

The Ethics provided at the start of the City Charter were identified first, and were something I suggested. This is to ensure that current and future Councils would review and be reminded of the importance of ethical behavior that is both visible to the public but also reinforcing of the inherent trust, respect, and nobility associated with holding an elected position within the City of Chelsea.

Is there anything you’d like to see changed and if so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes. 

Maintaining Chelsea as a great place to live, work and play.  Changes evolve with the needs of the residents. Being open and flexible in governmental approaches to change allows for the individual voice to be heard as well as the voices of group level stakeholders.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your candidacy? 

GO CHELSEA!!!  Thank you to all Chelsea residents.


Jane Pacheco.

Jane Pacheco

Occupation: I have worked in commercial real estate, non-profit management, local food systems, youth development, and social justice advocacy. Currently, I am a self-employed consultant.

Do you have any previous elected or appointed experience to a city commission and if so, please explain how it’s prepared you for service to the City of Chelsea?

In 2013, I was elected to Council and then reelected in 2015 and 2019.  The wide scope and breadth of issues involved with governing has allowed me to hone my critical thinking and problem-solving skills while never ceasing to peak my interest in learning new things.  

I understand the process of municipal government as evidenced by my multiple years of experience with the City visioning and subsequent budget processes, as well as time spent as a liaison on City committees like the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority, Chelsea Area Planning Team/Dexter Area Regional Team, Transportation Working Group, and Healthy Communities.

Additionally, the success of the policy work I’ve helped to pass; including a new, more transparent and accountable City commission application and appointment process, a Non-Discrimination Ordinance and Human Rights Commission, and a continuing trial regarding a more equitable voting process for appointments, is proof that good government benefits all of our community members.

How long have you lived in Chelsea? I grew up here, went away for college and work, and moved back in 2003 to raise our family. So most recently, I’ve been a resident for 18 years.

Do you have any current public and/or community service experience? If so, please explain what that is and how it would assist you in representing all Chelsea residents?

I have been, and continue to be, involved with several groups within the community. From numerous parent volunteer positions with sports, scouts, and school; to working with teen changemakers and adults focused on youth mental health issues; to advocating for human rights issues – these connections help me understand how we are at our best when we work together.

In my eight years on council, I’ve heard from a lot of people concerned about many different things. Whether the comments were critical or complementary almost every correspondence had something in common – they all shared a vision of what is possible in our community, what folks would like to see happen, and some suggestions on how to get there.

Should I be elected, I will continue to work to make sure we are including as wide a representation of our community in decision-making as possible, including seniors, youth, and everyone in between. We all should be part of the process to co-create the communities in which we live, work, and play.

Please briefly identify the top two issues of your campaign, i.e. why are you running for city office?

  1. One of the biggest opportunities we face is how to model the art of presenting a variety of different views while behaving respectfully toward one another, otherwise known as civil discourse. It is not something people innately know how to do. We must be open to learning and practicing, and even failing and trying again. I believe community leaders and members, can and will, move forward together if we commit to trying.
  2. The aftermath of last summer’s peaceful protests saw an explosion of community response. The city held over 8 hours of listening sessions, several work sessions, and has engaged professional agencies to help guide us to understand how to look at the opportunity to improve our systems with a growth mindset. It will be a top priority to work with all Councilmembers and the community to engage with the professional recommendations and determine a path forward that works for Chelsea.

Please summarize in a sentence or two how you plan to address those two issues listed above.

I think it is important to seek and model good examples of civility in community. I am a fierce advocate for civic engagement and civil discourse, having facilitated both teen and adult classes, workshops, and book groups about these skills. I will use my learned skills to set a professional, respectful tone on Council and encourage the same throughout the community. 

It will be a top priority to work with all Councilmembers and the community to engage with the professional recommendations and determine a path forward that works for Chelsea.

In a sentence or two please explain to voters why you are the best candidate for the position.

I think that my involvement in the community, coupled with my experience on Council, gives me a current perspective and the historical context needed to lead thoughtful, forward-thinking decision-making in the best interests of all of the members of our community.

What are your top priorities as an elected official?

In addition to the two issues addressed as top priorities above, another opportunity would be to continue the city’s commitment to nurture relationships with regional partners. I currently sit on the Chelsea Area Planning Team/Dexter Area Regional Team, in part because I believe that, in addition to taking care of people and infrastructure within our city, it is to our benefit to work with neighboring communities regarding issues that cross regions – like transportation, housing, equity, mental health, and economic/community development. I believe that the best solutions will only be created through collaboration.

Are you familiar with, and have you read the City Charter and the Council Rules?

Yes

Is there anything you’d like to see changed and if so, explain how you would go about initiating those changes. 

During my time on Council, I’ve worked with colleagues to address issues and policies that I thought could be improved upon. The process for initiating any sort of council discussion is the same for all council members.

Annually council hosts a public visioning session to set out short and long term goals. Council also hosts a mid-year vision review. Outside of those two set sessions, council members (as well as citizens) are able to bring forward agenda items for discussion and/or decision by filling out an Agenda Item Summary form, available online at the city website.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your candidacy? 

I am excited for this opportunity and look forward to serving the community.

 

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