Candidate Profile: Vicki Barnett, Farmington Hills Mayor

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — Voters in Farmington Hills will vote for 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.

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

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Age (as of Election Day)

67

Position Sought

Farmington Hills Mayor

Party Affiliation

Nonpartisan

Family

Husband of 40 years: Mark Steckloff (69)
Daughter: Samantha Steckloff and son-in-law Brandon Sundheimer
Son: Jordan Steckloff, daughter-in-law Holly Hopkins and grandson Leaf Hopkins Steckloff

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My daughter, Samantha Steckloff works in State Government as a State Representative

Education

MBA: University of Michigan - Dearborn, 1991
BGS: University of Michigan - Dearborn, 1981

Occupation

Currently Mayor of Farmington Hills. From 1999 - 2013 I was a Financial Advisor with LPL Financial Services, Farmington Hills, MI

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Mayor of Farmington Hills: 2019 to Present
State Representative: 2009-2014
Mayor of Farmington Hills: 2003-2007
Farmington Hills City Council Member: 1995-2003

Campaign website

VickiforMayor.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I provide experienced leadership to address the urgent issues of flooding, CoVid-19 and severe electrical outages throughout Farmington Hills. I will address critical redevelopment issues, establish a Sustainability, Environmental and Innovations Task Force and a 2040 Visioning Commission to attract new businesses and young families to our city.

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

CoVid-19 has changed the way people work. We must upgrade our Master Plan to allow office buildings to be redeveloped to keep our tax base strong.

DTE has failed to maintain reliable electric power. I will pursue all legal options to require DTE to repair and rebuild our grid.

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

The critical difference is experience. The challenges of managing a mature community while maintaining a AAA bond rating require a Mayor be financially savvy and a consensus builder. I have these skills. I am a strong leader and public speaker who enjoys excellent relationships with state, county & local leaders – all qualities necessary to be the public “face” of Farmington Hills and effectively advocate for the City.

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

Our officials and city staff performed very well in the face of a global pandemic. We had a large stockpile of PPE, critical supplies and fully trained EMS responders. By March 6, 2020, I had issued a State of Emergency and closed down our senior, after school and other programs to keep our residents safe. We followed all Michigan Health Department orders and began to work with our school and business community to provide assistance. We also provided extra monetary aid to area non-profits and food banks. The last 17 months have been difficult, but our residents have been very cooperative.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

1. Aging infrastructure. Our electric grid and storm water systems are in critical need of maintenance and repair. We are working with DTE to upgrade and rebuild our power system and will develop a comprehensive approach to repair our storm drains, creeks and roads to relieve flooding.
2. Fiscal: It will take experience & good fiscal management to maintain service levels & our AAA bond rating without raising taxes. I will work with neighboring communities & school districts to plan joint projects, maximize our purchasing power & seek cost saving opportunities.
3. Economic Redevelopment: Covid-19 has changed the way we work, learn and live. We need to review zoning ordinances to maximize commercial redevelopment & create an economic master plan to attract new businesses and families. My proactive approach includes establishing a Redevelopment Board, a 2040 Visioning Task Force and meeting regularly with local businesses, School Boards & area Realtors to market our City as a premier location.
4. Public Health/Safety: Farmington Hills remains one of the safest cities in America, accomplished by creative community policing programs. I will continue to diversify our public safety workforce and provide high quality training to our first responders.

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

My past accomplishments include purchasing the Costick Center; creating model after-school programs; expanding our park system to include a nature preserve, world-class soccer fields, an 18-hole golf course, splash pad and cultural arts programs; forming the Citizen Corps Council for Emergency Preparedness to teach residents how to care for themselves during crises; receiving a Homeland Security grant to install a low power emergency radio station; hosting innovative environmental workshops; championing environmentally sustainable natural landscaping and our Gold LEED Certified City Hall; requiring new developments be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods; preventing oil and gas drilling in residential neighborhoods; and assisting County officials in building a countywide public safety communications network.

I have served as President of the Michigan Municipal League, Board Member of the National League of Cities and Vice Chair of the National Task Force on Interoperability (for Homeland Security),

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Treat every resident with respect.

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

I have been honored to serve Farmington Hills as a City Council Member, State Representative and Mayor. I am proud of my record and hope to have earned another vote for Mayor from our citizens.