Steve King shares his ideas with hometownlife (Livonia Observer)

Excerpts from 16 Livonia City Council candidates share their views  (published 7/28/15) 
What is your specific plan to help bring more residents, especially young families, to the City of Livonia?  


King – Young families are most interested in vibrant neighborhoods and good schools. The city and school district must do a better job of working together. The city stood on the sidelines while the district closed schools and lost thousands of students. I believe the city could have played a stronger role in preventing this and must be more involved moving forward. I would like to start a program I call operation renovation that would purchase foreclosed and dilapidated homes turning them into showplaces. A downtown at Five Mile and Farmington similar to Kellogg Park in Plymouth could be the anchor for new family friendly development.

What can be done to continue business development in the city, especially along the industrial corridor along the railroad tracks, as well as Plymouth Road?

King – Livonia is not small business friendly and that needs to change. A culture of service has to permeate all departments in the city with the new mayor leading the charge. As a city we need to decide what industries we want and then actively pursue them. Oakland County went after technology and biomedical and is the most successful county in the country. That is what we need to emulate. We need to consider vertical farming, 3D manufacturing, bioengineering and alternative energy companies to enhance our current industrial base.

What do you think of the idea of creating one downtown or several smaller downtowns in Livonia? How would you go about doing that?

King – I spoke about a downtown during my last campaign and I think it sparked some interest that led to a field trip and fact-finding mission of sorts to a far away city that someone thought was like Livonia. I believe the outcome was, as it is with most government initiatives, a consultant would have to be hired and endless meetings would take place that would not result in much. That will not happen if I am elected. I will do the ground work to make sure it’s right and actually make it happen by getting our citizens engaged in the process.

What would you like to see changed about city government?

King – I would like to transition to an open-source government. That is that any idea from any source and anyone is given a hearing. I would like us to implement a mindset that every program or proposal have a technical and sustainability component. For instance doing things digitally as opposed to using paper. And always looking for a way to use less finite resources and energy. I think Dave Varga’s position as chief of staff or whatever it is called should be retooled to be an ombudsman. The first contact for any issue a citizen may have and the follow-up to make sure the problem has been solved.

Steve King reminds Livonia residents to vote this Tuesday, August 4th.  Vote Steve King!

Press Release: Steve King Endorsed by Home Town Life - Vote Steve King for Livonia City Council - Tuesday 8/4/2015

Steve King Endorsed by hometownlife O&E Media

Voters can’t go wrong with any of these 9 candidates

11:45 a.m. EDT July 22, 2015

A perennial candidate, King is probably best known as the frontman of Steve King & the Dittlies classic rock band. King served on the Livonia school board and ran unsuccessfully for city council and the state House. On the school board, he thought outside of the box and was not afraid to vote against the administration’s recommendation if he didn’t agree with it. A graduate of Bentley High School, King is passionate about the city and says he would work to create downtown space, specifically at Five Mile and Farmington. 

hometownlife O&E Media

Addressing Basement Flooding with Education, Retention & Insurance

Addressing Basement Flooding with Education, Retention & Insurance

EDUCATION
I have attended every public forum afforded me during my run for Council. Unfortunately the forums are structured in such a way to allow for 60 second responses to often complex issues. The following is a more detailed response to the question of the basement sewer backups that affected so many of our neighbors. Events such as the flooding were devastating but also provide an opportunity to educate the public on flood risks, and how to minimize them through the use of sewer back flow valves and sump pumps.

What the city can do: Prepare a map showing relative risk for basement flooding, so residents can determine their own course of action based on their level of risk. Offer local businesses space at city hall to provide information on those products.

RETENTION
Water backs up into basements because the amount of water entering the storm system is greater than the system can move. This water can be managed by mandating low flow gratings on storm drains. This affects the speed at which water enters the system allowing more time for the system to purge. The downside is additional street and parking lot standing water, but water on the pavement beats water in the basement.

What the city can do: Install these grates in higher risk areas. If already installed, monitor them to make sure that they are kept free of debris to help keep standing water to a minimum.

INSURANCE
Flood insurance does not cover water coming up from the drain, nor does standard homeowners insurance. However, some companies offer a sewer and drain endorsement that does. Coverage can be expensive, in excess of $5.000, but losses can be far greater than that.

What the city can do: Research which companies offer this insurance and the cost for an average household. Provide this information to the public via the city’s website and the Livonia Observer. Hold a flood “open house” and offer those companies the opportunity to show residents the policies they have to offer.

Livonia Observer: Voting records, cutting waste discussed at council forum

Eight candidates for City Council highlighted their voting records as well as how they would work with their council colleagues and cut waste from the budget in a candidate forum sponsored Thursday night by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce at City Hall. ...


King said he will listen, learn and lead. He also read a quote taken from a Chinese proverb to reflect his philosophy on the council.


“A man who asks a question is a fool for a minute; the man who asks no questions is a fool forever,” he said. ...


Candidates were also asked about cutting waste in the budget.


King said he didn't look at studying the budget as cutting waste, but more of what he called a “more effective use of resources.” He thought the city should look at car usage. 


King questioned the purchase and installation of a new boiler in the old courthouse. “I thought we built a new courthouse because the old one was so bad,” he said. “And here we are, putting money into the court.” [more]

Steve and Friends

Fighting for Livonia's future with "Wolverine."

Welcome to my blog

As a school board trustee I was the only member that had a blog that allowed for open communication with stakeholders. This is a continuation of that transparency as I seek a seat on City Council. As in the past feel free to post or comment on this blog.

Steve King Livonia School Board closing remarks