Anne Haynam is seeking election to the office of Hiram Mayor as a write-in candidate.
1. Why are you running for office, and what previous experience makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?
Our Village is in fiscal crisis in large part due to the troubled relationship between Hiram Village and Hiram College. Neither the financial woes nor the broken relationship with the College happened overnight and we need new leadership at the Mayor level in addition to a fresh perspective on how to problem solve.
In addition to being a graduate of Hiram College and former Assistant Athletic Director, I've lived in the Village for 24 years and am a small business owner as well as mental health counselor. I'm currently serving on the Economic Development Committee and have previously served on the Beautification Committee.
I understand the culture of the College and how we can return to operating as one community that values, respects, and thrives together. We need leadership willing to mend and build relationships and engage in innovative problem solving - which means we need a change at the Mayoral level.
2. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in this position?
Quite simply, change. We've accepted mediocrity for far too long. We have many assets around us both in and outside the Hiram Village. We could better capitalize on them both from an economic development standpoint as well as regarding quality of life.
3. What are three policy initiatives you plan to focus on if elected?
Restore a collaborative working relationship between the Village, Hiram College and Hiram Township.
Work with Village Counsel toward fiscal responsibility, support of police/fire services, and economic development.
Engage the residents in community building
4. What can local governments do to encourage young adults to stay in Northeast Ohio?
Keeping young adults involved through grass roots efforts to strength communities and creating avenues for them to have a voice is important. Both young and old need to be more engaged and feel as though they have a voice in where we are going.
5. Will you support nondiscrimination policies that protect individuals regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression? If so, how?
As a leader in our community it's important to be mindful and active in regards to explicit and implicit bias. Diversity is an asset in our community and we need to support differences including policies as well as having our leaders be involved in supportive programming.
6. Do you support reasonable regulations on firearms in the United States? Please explain in detail.
I support background checks, waiting periods, red flag laws and other reasonable regulations as a first step in addressing gun violence. I also support the need for ongoing research in this area.
7. What will you do to actively engage young adults in local government?
I've already attended the Hiram College Student Senate and would continue to engage with student leaders to have a voice in their community.
8. Describe your vision on public safety and your plans for crime prevention?
It's an asset to have police and fire stationed in the Village and I'd like to keep it here and not farm out services to the sheriff or other fire departments in the area. A local presence and interaction with residents is an important step in prevention.
9. What should your locality be doing to ensure racial equity and eliminating bias in community policing?
It starts with education, continuing education, accountability, and engagement with residents.
10. The Environment
Experts agree that a key to reducing the effects of climate disruption is to reduce our dependence on, and use of, carbon-based fuels, including oil, natural gas and coal. Please answer the following questions related to the environment in detail.
10-A. Should local governments play a role in phasing out the use of fossil fuels by our municipalities? If so, what role should a local legislator play?
As Mayor I will advocate for continued upgrades and efficiencies including exploring access to solar energy both at the municipal level as well as encouraging residents to explore solar. In the past year I added solar panels to my home and believe local leaders play a role in connecting incentives to those that can use them.
10-B. Do you support the use of "Fracking" (hydraulic fracturing) to extract oil or gas within your city, or would you support a ban on Fracking?
The Hiram Village is a beautiful community and we should be directing resources toward renewables.
11. In June of last year, the United States Supreme Court overturned the landmark case Roe vs. Wade, which guaranteed a persons right to safe and legal abortion access. What role should local government play in advocating for access to safe and legal abortion services?
Part of one's civic duty is to support civil rights and safety. The issue of reproductive rights cuts to the heart of a woman's health and autonomy. As we rebuild our community in Hiram, we can be mindful of individual differences in beliefs while also not forcing our beliefs on others. When neighbors talk to neighbors we can find more mutual respect on tough issues like this.
12. The state of Ohio has continually cut funds to local governments over the last decade. How do you plan on operating within the confines of an already reduced local budget, without cutting critical services to tax payers?
There's no doubt that we have a budget crisis in the Village of Hiram and getting the College, Counsel and the Mayor's office all on the same page will set the stage for more creative problem solving. We need to rethink land usages, how to get more people to visit our Village, how to make use of a college that is empty in the summer, highlight the nature trails, etc. We currently have a lot of assets that we aren't using and need to develop more. As Mayor I will work to represent our community as a wonderful place to work and live.
13. What can be done to create and/or attract new businesses with good paying jobs and benefits in the City? How can we encourage new businesses, and existing businesses, to become an active part of our community?
Economic development starts with running our local government with professionalism. We need to operate zoning consistent with best practices and be more flexible to allow cottage as well as larger businesses to see Hiram Village as an option. Again the relationship with the College is important as they own much of the land/buildings that could be opportunities.
Existing businesses need to feel that there is an overall plan happening to create foot traffic not only during the academic year but also in the off months when students aren't on campus. The Hiram Township is also a working relationship to develop. For example, we can start to see our natural resources as an asset for foot traffic via trail systems for hiking/biking.
14. Should the City reduce the cost of services by contracting out or privatizing government services? Why or why not?
We currently are on this track unless we are able to address the stale mate with the College to help fund our safety team and secure more resources via economic development. I support an all-of-the-above strategy to keep the services we have and restore some of the services lost the past couple years that are meaningful to residents (i.e. leaf and brush pick up).
15. Do you feel that housing in your City is affordable and available for young people and families? If not, what will you do to address this issue?
Hiram Village has a variety of housing and with access to the College, it should be a fantastic, thriving place to live. Yet far too many residents don't feel connected to each other as well as to the College resources. We can become a college town that is cohesive and supportive of each other.