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Soapbox Summer - Beth Bashert

Beth Bashert

Beth Bashert is running for a seat on Ypsilanti's City Council representing the 2nd Ward.  This is Beth's submission to WEMU's "Soapbox Summer" series.  

I am Beth Bashert, and I want to be your City Council Representative for Ward 2 in Ypsilanti.  
I’m proud to have lived in the same residence in the same neighborhood for over 26 years.  Our daughter and her family chose our neighborhood to live in and raise our grandson, one of the best signs of a great place to live I can possibly imagine.  

Over those 26 years, l’ve been a leader in the fight to secure public transportation, improve human rights, save green spaces, and elect our dynamic mayor. I believe that Ypsilanti has the opportunity to thrive and grow based on a new economy, one that brings together our strong neighborhood associations, our vital arts/music scene, and our diverse population as assets. I want to foster and encourage all of that. I support an equal and diverse city with opportunities for all residents and I want to be a part of making that a reality.
 As a campaign manager, as a fund development director, and as a professional community organizer, I’m proud of the work I have done.  Through that work, I have developed strong connections with local leaders and skills in communication, learned how to strengthen communities through work and changes, and developed a deep respect for the power of a community working together to effect positive change.
I hope to continue this work on city council.  

I am a leader and communicator. My track record is strong and I know that those skills will be assets to our city council. I bring people together and talk to anybody & everybody to bring about outcomes. I am a fierce and hard worker, honed by many campaigns; I am ready to step up and do the work that is necessary for our community.

 
Ypsilanti has some serious fiscal issues that have been building for years, due to a shrinking and limited tax base, as well as greatly reduced revenue-sharing from the state. In this environment, managing the debt of Water Street is a burden that must be handled. Our city has made many successful changes to reduce expenses and run more efficiently while building a vibrant community. The proposed Water Street Millage will help significantly, and getting the land developed/used will mean the job is likely done.

 
Limited staff straining to keep the quality of services high is not sustainable. Continually cutting is not a solution, it is a sound bite. To keep our community welcoming, our staffing and city needs to have the resources necessary to do the job.

 
Ypsilanti has assets in our strong neighborhood associations, our arts collectives, our youthful organizers, our exceptional diversity. We have a new economy that has been growing in our city for quite a while. Walkable, bikeable, community-based organizations, a burgeoning arts, food, and music scene, and a diverse, young community choosing our city as a place to build their families. Businesses are choosing our city and finding success and a welcoming locally-based economy emerging here. Some examples include the highly successful Rutherford Pool project, First Fridays events which fill our streets and businesses every month, successful businesses like the Eyrie, Cultivate, Mix, Bona Sera, The Rocket, Bower Bird Mongo, and this is just a partial list. Our diversity is an asset to be celebrated as well. We have a vibrant mix of race, ages, cultures, abilities, economic and educational backgrounds. My work has helped our city protect and celebrate that diversity and it makes our community strong and willing to work together to face challenges.

 
Elect me for city council on Aug 2nd and I will continue and build on that work for all of us.