Candidate Profile: Elaine McLain, Birmingham Commissioner

BIRMINGHAM, MI — There are three open seats for Birmingham Commissioner in November's general elections.

To help readers make informed choices, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Elaine McLain is running for Birmingham Commissioner. Here's how she filled out her profile:

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Age (as of Election Day)

63

Position Sought

Birmingham Commissioner

Party Affiliation

Nonpartisan Position

Family

Proud to have a son and two daughters, living all over the world.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None of my family members work in politics or government.

Education

RN, BSN Nursing (Psychiatric Specialty), Life and Health Insurance Licensed State of Michigan (6 yrs)

Occupation

Veteran Life/Health Insurance Agent (6yrs), OPTAVIA Health Coach (6 mos)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Appointed Chairman: Birmingham Area Cable Board (15.5 yrs), Board Member and Founder: Michigan Alliance for Community Media (formerly MI National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors, 11 yrs), Board Member NEXT Senior Services (6.5 yrs) and Meals on Wheels assistant driver for Bham/Bev Hills, Bingham F, Franklin.

Campaign website

www.campaign4elainemclain.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I decided to step up from an appointed Birmingham position to an elected position when 3 experienced Commissioners announced their retirement. I have professionally served the public with the leadership and respect necessary to get things done. Managing a team of 13 collaborative volunteers and a municipal budget in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, is more important now than ever. The Commission MUST continue to incorporate citizen feedback into the 2040 plan. Common sense balance for desperately needed infrastructure and transparent growth for neighborhoods, municipal programs and businesses is key. We all need confidence in the process to move forward.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I've said from day one, that health, safety and infrastructure are our first community priorities. Both my BACB team and the NEXT Board have kept the most vulnerable connected throughout the pandemic. Irresponsible expansion on challenged existing infrastructure is unwise and dangerous. I will continue to hear residents, not just listen, and build consensus. This will be done with a civil and respectful inclusive tone. Any descent into divisiveness and provocative distractions, take away from the peoples’ work getting done. I will call it out.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I don’t comment on other candidate choices. I stay in my lane and only associate with ethical independent candidates of honor. I have lived my public mission and calling to serve as a 63 year lifelong resident, parent, caregiver, homeowner, entrepreneur and volunteer leader. All content is my own. I DO NOT ACCEPT POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE CONTRIBUTIONS. l have declined multiple PAC offers of funding and support, since before filing in July. This core value ensures my highest level of legitimate independent and nonpartisan engagement. What I bring to the Commission is the civility, transparency and experience necessary to solve problems together.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Our City Commission has worked hard to bring a workable 2040 Plan iterations to the residents. Despite best efforts, internal group dynamics and partisanship have interfered with public confidence. As I’ve walked every neighborhood, I hear and see residents’ chronic miserable frustration. This is an exceptional community with inexcusably embarrassing roads, flooding, grid failures and mobility safety concerns. Rights of way issues are a mess. These are real life issues that need collective Homeowner Association, city staff and Commission partnership. We have resources, a fund balance and the creativity to do it now. In fact, awaiting another failure creating liability, is unacceptable and expensive. Let’s streamline meeting agendas, include the public, empower subcommittees and make action plans with existing departments paid to get the job done.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

As a medical professional who personally lost my most precious family member during Covid, I support the Commission restrictions based on the Oakland County transmission rates. The City was preemptive, clear and transparent with safety guidelines and fair application. They had a hotline staffed by a Public Health RN. I continued to Chair the BACB throughout restrictions via Zoom, with public involved. The newest hybrid approach is inclusive and accessible for all citizens. We must be safe to protect the youngest, oldest and most at risk among us.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

1) Continuing dialog and solicitation of public feedback for 2040 plan, is pivotal. We need balance. We only have our experienced City Manager for about 15 months. He manages all our young staff team, is liaison to the public/Commission and has the historical precedent appreciation necessary. The search for his replacement is a priority, day one.
2) I’ve already highlighted infrastructure (fiscal responsibility) and health/safety. This obviously includes Senior Services/NEXT, as our population ages in place. 3) Finally, we must restore respectful discourse from the front of the room. We are all neighbors first. We will follow the the Open Meetings Act: it is the law. No offline discussions or voting in blocks for personal agendas or under undisclosed influence. I have run a pristine public meeting for over 15 years as BACB Chairman on live TV. I’ve led an advocate team, responsibly managing a municipal budget with transparency. Our results speak volumes about our values.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a Psychiatric RN, I’ve been a committed professional with special experience handling group dynamics and difficult behaviors. I still support and refer informally. After raising our children, I began a new career in Life and Health insurance (Medicare next year), finding the right fit for families in crisis and their realistic budgets. I’m currently a Health Program Coach for Optavia, based on the Johns Hopkins model. I live the personal mission of outreach to those at risk and personal work-life balance.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never let others’ poor choices or behavior define your path. Aim high and work hard. Lift others up and remain goal oriented.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I crave collaboration to solve problem we all face.