Interview: Christina Montague Wants to “Return” to the Washtenaw County BOC
by P.D. Lesko
Democrat Christina Montague wants to represent Ann Arbor on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. A politico who served on the BOC for 12 years, she is running to “return” to the BOC and wants to represent District 7—the seat being vacated by Barbara Levin Bergman. This is from Montague’s campaign web site:
Many answers to local challenges are found in increased efficiencies within government, partnering between agencies, and pursuing more enhanced public-private partnerships. Also in looking at fair and equitable health care and pension reform for new employees just entering county government.
My focus as a County Commissioner will be ensuring accessible, responsive, and responsible constituent service. In addition, I will make sure residents/constituents of the district are well represented on the Washtenaw County Board Of Commissioners.
I am a problem solver. I examine the problem or issue. I do my homework. I aggressively research all of the options and their outcomes. I consider the best possible solutions. And then I vote my conscience.
What makes me the best qualified for the job? I am for the PEOPLE! I have decades of experience working directly for the citizens of Washtenaw County and for the residents of the district on the issues and concerns that matter to them. I am a forward-looking person, who plans for, anticipates, and is prepared for the future. And I have the demonstrated ability to work across party lines to get things done.
My political philosophy is one of believing in “good government” that strives to be as effective and as efficient as possible in fulfilling its legal mandates as well as implementing thoroughly thought out discretionary projects and programs that have been identified as priorities by the community.
This information is followed her phone number and email address.
Her opponent, Andy LaBarre’s campaign web site has a contact form. Don’t call Andy; Andy will call you. There is no phone number for LaBarre or even an email address on his campaign web site. Despite that difference, LaBarre’s web site is populated by similarly upbeat prose. He is for the “small businesses” in the county and “economic development.” He will work to bring “jobs to Washtenaw County.” He’s for human services, and wants to protect the environment. Evidently no one told him the county’s air and water need to be first cleaned up and then protected. He supports immigrants, parks and gay rights. Read his campaign web site and you get the impression that Andy LaBarre is for puppies, rainbows, unicorns and would cure cancer if you’d just give him enough time and money.
Christina Montague (standing, left) formerly served on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, and as the President of the Board. She was a member of the Michigan Education Association for 32 years and a former member of the UAW. Yet Andy LaBarre is the candidate with all the endorsements of the local Democratic Klan members, as well as support from local affiliates of the UAW and AFL-CIO. Why? It’s simple: Montague is a candidate of the 99 Percent. Andy LaBarre, on the other hand, is a smooth, savvy political operator. He’s calling in favors and running for office on the connections he made while working as a staffer for Representative John Dingell. Politically, LaBarre is the 1 Percent Poster Boy local Dems want to see seated on the Board of Commissioners, because they know he can be counted on to play ball. They’re not so sure about Christina Montague, a black women who has plenty of education, as well as over a decade of prior experience in elected office. She doesn’t drink beer with Ann Arbor County Commish Conan Smith, and won’t need him to tell her how she should vote.
Christina Montague tells voters she will be “for the people.” Montague is also a political candidate of the people: her run is being financed by donations from individuals in District 7, where she’s campaigning. LaBarre, on the other hand, like his former boss Dingell, has raised funds from PACs and out-of-District donations, such as a $500 donation from the Airline Pilots Association Director of Governmental Affairs, whose office is located in DC.
A2Politico caught up with Christina Montague via email.
A2Politico: Why do you want to return to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners? Why now?
Christina Montague: I will be the voice for the people and utilize my years of experience as a Community Leader and seasoned Ann Arbor Public Schools Social Worker with a reputation for doing a good job. I am a former County Commissioner who served 12 years on the Board. I had the honor of my fellow County Commissioners electing me as Chair of the Board. I am committed and have a vested interest in this community. I know what makes County Government work and I know what the needs are. I have worked with the State and Federal government to bring those “hard to find” Federal dollars back to Washtenaw County. It’s about developing and maintaining relationships and I have them.
A2P: The Washtenaw County Board has a member currently seeking re-election, as well as members who are no longer serving, who took per diem money that an outside audit concluded they were not entitled to take. Are you willing to stand up for county taxpayers and demand the missing money be returned?
CM: If it has been found that the per diem money should be returned, arrangements should be made to return the money in a timely manner.
A2P: You’re running against a candidate who’s a political insider, and who has the support of the retiring incumbent, do you see your candidacy as one of an underdog?
CM: My background, experiences and expertise set me apart from someone with endorsements. I’m a forward-thinking person, and I’ve done it (served on the BOC) and have been asked to do it again. Return me to Washtenaw County Board Commissioners — a proven leader as your County Commissioner for District from 7. Not only will I work for District 7, I will work for Washtenaw County, the State of Michigan and our wonderful country the United States of America.
As a former Chair of the Board of the Washtenaw County Commissioners, I possess invaluable local, state, and national expertise and experience with obtaining federal project dollars for projects that have benefited Washtenaw County.
I am a social worker by training, with a sensible approach towards Human Services. I have a long and solid record of providing support for middle class families and children and being an ear and voice for senior citizens, the disable and our most vulnerable.
A2P: Former County Commissioner Kristin Judge and Commissioner Wes Prater worked together to put the county’s checkbook and credit card statements online. After Judge left the BOC, the drive the put financial information online stopped. Are you prepared to take up where Kristin Judge left off and continue to make sure that credit card statements and the county’s checkbook, as well as other financial information, gets posted to the county’s website?
CM: We who run for political office are servants of the people. I feel it is best practice and best policy for the citizens we represent to know when and how we spend the taxes dollars and funds they entrust to us to provide services and do the work of the County Government. Yes I support credit card statements and the county checkbook being posted on the county’s website.
A2P: Do you support the 4-Party transit agreement that would expand AATA service countywide in exchange for a hike in taxes?
CM: Regional transportations’ time has come and I support it. I feel it is only fair those local communities in Washtenaw County and border communities that currently benefit and will benefit from regional transportation to all contribute their fair share of the cost.
A2P: Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor have some of the dirtiest air and water in the U.S. according to EPA records. As a Commissioner, what are your plans to see that Washtenaw County tackles its environmental problems, including the Pall Plume, which is making its way toward the Huron River?
CM: I feel community environmental impact tests should be the norm. It is important that citizens have all the vital information about issues impacting their community. Keeping communities safe from oil spills, polluted drinking water and polluted lakes is more important to everyone. The environmental area is one that I will be actively involved in.
A2P: Looking at the current Washtenaw County budget, there is another projected deficit. What are your plans to close that gap? What are your ideas for revenue generation and for cuts?
CM: You have to focus and look inside the organization and see where we are spending the money. Knowing the history of ways to save by considering what has worked or what hasn’t worked in the past. Look at what services are mandated and what services not by looking at everything. Plan for the long and short and invest in the future by addressing the critical issues affecting our citizens right now. My experience in this community puts me at an advantage to understand the depth of the problems and gives me a quick start on developing the best economical and realistic solutions to those issues.
A2P: Why should Washtenaw County voters choose you? How does your experience as a former Chair of the BOC outweigh the political endorsements of your opponent?
CM: Sometimes with a lot of the same old endorsements you get the same old thing. I have a proven record of working effectively and successfully with democrats and republicans. As Chair of the Board you must lead and have the ability to bring commissioners together to work effectively who often have competing agendas. I don’t see ideas as democrat or republican. I see them as positive or negative and will they benefit the citizens of Washtenaw County.
What do I bring?
- An ability to enhance the debate—the discussions
- Help make better decisions
- I bring a different and important perspective way of solving problems
- I will use my experience; leadership and knowledge of the inner workings of county government to work vigorously represent the citizens of District 7 and the larger Washtenaw County Community.
A2P: On your website you write, “I am a local person with valuable local, state, federal, and international experience in public service and politics.” Can you give specifics of each kind of experience to which you point?
CM: My leadership in Washtenaw County and Michigan provided me an opportunity to be elected by County Officials nationally to the represent them on the Democratic National Committee.(DNC) While serving on the DNC I later was one of ten people selected out of group four hundred from across the country to serve as a Goodwill Ambassador in Taiwan. I was chosen by the Democratic National Committee and the Taiwan Embassy in Washington DC. We were guests of the President of Taiwan, and he held a State Luncheon in our honor. Our delegation met his top cabinet officials and also received a briefing from top military leaders. We met with political party leaders where we discussed China and Taiwanese relations. This international political experience was a life-changing experience for me, and I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunity.
In 2008 I was state-wide chairperson for Michiganders for Obama, which was a grassroots group supporting the then U.S. Senator Obama. Senator Obama’s name was not on the ballot in the democratic primary and after much research I came up with the idea of voting “Uncommitted” which garnered over forty percent of the primary vote. It was a big success to get people to vote “Uncommitted”. Major news outlets in the United States and Internationally interviewed me concerning the “Uncommitted vote” Some Examples: New York Times, Detroit News, Ann Arbor News, CNN, London Sunday Times
I have served as a democratic national convention delegate for the Presidential Campaigns for: Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry and President Obama.
I spent two weeks in New Orleans and Baton Rouge LA. as a Red Cross Hurricane Katrina mental health relief worker. I counseled men, women and children in a shelter for the homeless.
A2P: You support public-private partnerships. Can you point to local PPPs that you think worked out particularly well for taxpayers?
CM: Many involves Workforce Development, Community Services and Human Services. I was a leader in developing the downtown homeless shelter with onsite comprehensive services to more help more people move from homelessness to permanent housing.
A2P: Outline your vision for “fair and equitable health care and pension reform for new employees just entering county government” and explain why reform should not include current employees, for whom legacy costs are enormous.
CM: Changes in new employee compensation gives those individuals a choice if they want to work for Washtenaw County. Promises have been made to current employees and their legacy costs will need to be negotiated if any changes are made. It is important to work together with current employees to address ways to help the county meet its financial responsibilities.