Candidates: Cummings Answers Progressive Questions

Question 1
In 2008, College Station signed the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement to become part of the Cool Cities program. In doing so, we pledged that the community and local government will take action to reduce global warming. Do you agree with our commitment to become a Cool City? If no, please elaborate. If yes, what further actions do you propose to continue our progress towards meeting our Cool Cities Commitment?

No Comment Submitted

Question 2
Do you believe that pedestrians, bicyclists, and wheel chair users should have complete and safe access to all places of residence, commerce and employment within the city? If this is to be achieved, a number of measures would need to be taken to improve connectivity in College Station, such as creating more dedicated bike lanes and crosswalks and enforcing traffic laws that ensure the safety of these users of our roads.

No Comment Submitted

Question 3
College Station has a successful curbside recycling program in place, but there is still a great deal of recyclable material going into our landfill. Do you believe the city should be promoting further actions to reduce waste and encourage reuse and recycling?

No Comment Submitted

Question 4
Farmers’ Markets can reduce transportation impacts of food, support local farmers, create community connection, increase the viability of surrounding businesses, and project our community character. Do you support funding for a permanent farmer’s market in a visible, central location?

Yes. Location is the question here. A central public square would be ideal for a weekend market, but lacking that, it would have to be in a central location, accessible to autos, cyclists, pedestrians, etc. I like the idea, and am open to suggestions.

Question 5
Our community is sprawling to the south while more than 40% of the developable land within the city limits remains undeveloped. Urban sprawl drives up tax rates by increasing the cost of infrastructure and community services such as police, fire and ambulances. It also diminishes aesthetic appeal and increases traffic. Many cities have recognized the advantages of “Smart Growth” and taken measures to curb sprawl. Do you believe the city should take a proactive role in addressing this issue?

Yes. Primarily, I would try to create incentives to redevelop areas within the city more densely, through temporary tax breaks, and if applicable, green building credits, as well as removing some of the barriers preventing development. I would also like to see pressure put on land owners who allow their properties to sit vacant, unutilized, or underutilized to develop them or sell them to interests that would rather than sitting on them for years while the city grows unsustainably.

Question 6
While we recognize that City Hall needs to be expanded, the citizens of College Station voted last May against rebuilding at a site on Kranek Tap Road. Expansion at the current location could meet the city’s needs while also taking a positive step toward increasing building density in College Station, thereby decreasing the pressure for sprawl. Do you support the expansion of City Hall at its present location?

Yes and no. There is some logic in having the city offices located alongside the other municipal services, and I do support the move. There would have to be a responsible plan for use of the current property once the offices are relocated, however. Whether that be selling it to offset the costs of the move, or allocating it for something such as a farmers’ market, as in question 4 would need to be resolved before I could fully support the move.

Question 7
The first Paragraph of the fourteenth amendment reads:
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Do you agree?

Yes.

Question 8
Locally owned, independent businesses can provide economic stimulus, develop human resources, reflect community character and encourage tourism. Yet College Station has encouraged large retail development by national chains by giving out financial incentives, thus creating unfair competition for locally owned businesses. Other communities have taken measures to level the playing field, including stopping the provision of incentives to outside competition and putting restrictions on the size of retail outlets that can be developed. Would you support these or other types of initiatives to promote local, independent businesses?

Yes. I like the idea of limiting the size of retail outlets, but something about it just feels wrong to me. However, creating restrictions on street setbacks for retail outlets that effectively eliminate mega sized parking lots and the chains that require them can achieve similar results. Santa Fe, NM has enacted something along these lines, I believe.