Candidate Profile: Katie Schafer, 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.

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

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Age (as of Election Day)

41

Position Sought

Birmingham Commissioner

Party Affiliation

Non partisan

Family

Married to Scott, Children Oliver (6) and Elliot (4)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, BS, Psychology, 2002
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO, 2007

Occupation

Physician/Pediatrician. 14 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Multi-Modal Transportation Board, 2017 to current
Ad Hoc Unimproved Streets Committee, 2018-2020

Campaign website

katieforbirmingham.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am ready to move from an appointed position to an elected position because I believe that I have the requisite skills to serve our city as a responsible and respectful public official. Birmingham needs strong leaders with opens minds to consider current issues and navigate the planning for our future. Our city thrives on the deliberation of our elected officials, appointed board members, the city staff, and residents.

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

We must not take for granted the excellent city services that Birmingham offers and continue to work and enforce policies that allow this to continue. In addition, we have the responsibility of planning for Birmingham’s future by careful, cooperative, and truthful conversation and deliberation of the 2040 Master Plan. This planning with take place in concert with residents, elected officials, city staff and consultants. Birmingham’s neighborhoods are part of its charm and deserve to be cared for and kept safe. But this care must be taken with the delicate balance of allowing for growth and continued vibrancy of our downtown.

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

I think it’s best not to point out differences between myself and the other candidates, but rather celebrate the qualities that I believe will make me a great choice. For one, if elected, I will plan to work together with my fellow commissioners with the common goal of making all of Birmingham better. As a mom to two young children, a business owner, and the daughter of a senior citizen, I believe I bring a well-rounded perspective. I will bring my experience as a pediatrician and business owner to help advocate in a new role, not just for my young patients, their families, and my staff, but for all the residents of Birmingham. And as I do in my business, this advocacy role will take place while helping to maintain the budget and keeping Birmingham fiscally responsible. As a mom to two young children, I have the future in mind. And as a daughter to senior citizen who lives here too, I will keep a particular focus on decisions and initiatives as they relate to seniors.

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

I am not in the position to challenge any currently sitting commissioner. Rather, I have the great task of “filling the shoes “of those commissioners who have collectively spent the past 48 years giving of their time on a volunteer basis to serve our city. Toward that end, if elected, I will have the responsibility of continuing to study past and current park plans, Master Plans, and will have the honor of careful and honest deliberation of current issues with my fellow elected officials and city staff with input from our residents.

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

I believe the transition to a virtual meeting format for most of the pandemic, and now a hybrid format, was essential. It allowed for the continuation of vital discourse among our elected officials and board members along with engagement and input from residents, all while ensuring to keep the most vulnerable safe.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am a resident who cares deeply about the success of our city. I am a mom to two young boys, one of whom attends Birmingham Public Schools. I will work to maintain our property values so that our tax dollars will serve the City—a city that when governed well can maintain excellent city services, fund award winning schools and build and maintain beautiful parks. I am a business owner who understands the importance of ensuring the Birmingham is a welcoming community to business owners who want to bring their services here. And, as a daughter of a senior who lives in Birmingham, I am fortunate to have an intimate knowledge of the unique needs of Birmingham’s seniors.

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

As a professional and a business owner who has also spent time volunteering time on city boards, I believe I have proven that I work hard and I am dedicated to those things about which I am passionate. I have proven that I can listen and work cooperatively. As a physician, caring for patients and their families has taught me how to work with a variety of people, from a variety of backgrounds when sharing a common goal. In my business, that translates to the health and welfare of a child, as a commissioner---to the health and welfare of our community.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

As a resident physician,-in-training, I had the privilege of learning from physicians with experience far beyond mine, both in the care of patients and solving difficult diagnostic dilemmas. A wise pediatric intensive care unit physician, taught me “the eye does not see what the mind does not think.” In other words, you will not see a problem sitting plainly before you unless you are well versed in all the potential possibilities. You must always be well informed when important subject matter is at hand. In my role as a commissioner, that translates to understanding the documents put forth for study, hearing residents’ concerns and applying them to unique situations and always using that knowledge to ensure I am making the best decisions for our city.

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

My intention for serving our community is sincere in its nature. I will serve all of Birmingham as an honest, collaborative, and motivated advocate.