Candidate Profile: Gina Phillips, Farmington Hills Mayor

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — Voters in Farmington Hills will vote their city mayor 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.

Gina Phillips is running against Vicki Barnett for Farmington Hills Mayor. Here's how she filled out profile:

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Age (as of Election Day)

51

Position Sought

Farmington Hills Mayor

Party Affiliation

nonpartisan.

Family

Husband: Steve Phillips 54 Journeyman Plumber for 30 years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no.

Education

Graduated cum laude from Oakland Community College. Studied Interpersonal and Public Communications at Central Michigan University.

Occupation

Sales and design for the past 25 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

none.

Campaign website

https://www.electginaphillips....

Why are you seeking elective office?

To support a positive future in our community.

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

The change in our community's landscape due to the upheaval which we recently experienced will need to be approached with common sense solutions. We will have buildings that need to be repurposed quickly and efficiently. I want to make sure that people now working from home and facing other work place changes have our utilities working optimally.

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

I bring fresh eyes to look at details. My approach to an issue is based on problem solving and efficiency.

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

I am not sure that our current mayor has failed. I would just take a more "boots on the ground" approach to problems. I enjoyed getting involved with the DTE staff and learning how things work so I could problem solve with them for solutions. If there are issues brought into our council I would approach them with zeal and take the time to get involved.

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

I think at our local level we haven't had much choice in addressing issues. I would like to see that changed.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Decisions made for our community be kept local.
Make sure that our residents and business' owners are heard.
Insist that our residents and businesses maintain maximum control over their property.
I dive into subjects and am not afraid to ask questions and persist to get answers that will work for our residents.

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

Running a business taught me about making decisions to propel forward in the best way possible. It taught me budgeting, problem solving, and delegating. I listened and adjusted to other's in order to motivate them to succeed. I gained skills for positive team building to grow excellent morale. Efficiency is my passion!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Bloom where you're planted.

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

I believe that the substantial range of different things I have done in my life speaks to my ability to understand and hear others. I have run a business and cleaned people's homes. I have taken care of newborns and a 98 year-old. I have gone to Tikapur Nepal on a mission trip and vacationed in Dubai. I believe it is my range of experiences that speak to my ability to handle a complicated job and appreciate other's view points.