Council Positions 1, 3, 5, and 7 are up for vote this November.
Position 1
Sean P. Kelly
Sitting mayor. No response submitted. Contact: seanpkelly17@gmail.com, www.VoteSean.comPosition 3
Les Burberry
Sitting council member. No response submitted. Contact: les.burberry63@gmail.comVictoria Schroff
No response submitted. Contact: victoriaschroffmv@gmail.comPosition 5
Syd Dawson
Sitting council member. No response submitted. Contact: syddawson1@gmail.comRichard Axtell
Contact: richaxtell@comcast.netDo you have any direct experience with disability?
Yes. My eldest son is on the spectrum. I, too, have a disability related to military service. My youngest son now has a disability as a result of a life threatening illness. I also co-founded the Clark County Veterans Stand Down in 2009, which included services and housing support for homeless and needy Veterans and their families.
1. HOUSING: How would you make affordable housing available to people with developmental disabilities?
To get the cost of housing down, we have to focus on the zoning and the inventory within the city, this starts the discussion of value. For people with disabilities who are unable to function on their own, we have to look at assisted facilities and expanding options to bring in providers. I was successful in expanding services in Clark County, and the success pondered on a relationship between the provider and the person needing the assistance. Increasing this helps reduce the economic burden on the individual.
2. SHELTER: How would you ensure people with developmental disabilities have a safe place to sleep and stay?
As I mentioned before, it takes an institutional approach. This also includes including churches into the discussion to formulate places to sleep and clean up. Tent living is not the answer, but introducing facilities and alternative housing options with the ability to have the individual contribute to the operations of the housing creates that relationship to expand services.
3. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: How would you ensure people with developmental disabilities are receiving case management and the support needed to escape homelessness?
People with developmental disabilities may not be able to function on their own, as in the case of my son. Bringing in family members (if any), community social services, and alternative institutions (such as assisted living facilities), will increase the capability for the individual to find a pathway to success. This was done in Clark County with a dedicated case worker and the courts when an individual veteran was arrested. The case management started at the time of booking and the individual was given the option of contributing to the community through the services provided, as a means of getting the arrest expunged.
4. SAFETY: How would you ensure the safety of people with developmental disabilities in police interactions?
Safety starts with education. The police and other government representatives can try and persuade through surface level "niceness," but to get to the issue at hand, there has to be an intervention with those who have a development disability. What also needs to be discussed is the safety of citizens when we are dealing with a developmentally disabled person, meaning that whether the violence is mass shootings or individual acts of violence, the intervention starts when there is a recognition of the disability.
5. SAFETY & JUSTICE: Would you support cross-training among professionals in the courtroom, police departments, victim assistance agencies and schools to prepare the justice community for situations involving people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities so they can receive equal justice?
I always support cross-training.
6. ACCESS & ACCOMMODATIONS: How would you ensure access to straws in public areas?
We have to get to the root of the problem. If there is an intervention, people who are looking for straws in public places as a result of an inability to drink the standard way, would be moot. The responsibility is for the city to address homelessness and other needs for help. If someone is dehydrated, EMS providers can respond and provide aid through IV based rehydration, then refer to medical support. I had this done to me when I was a heat casualty in the desert during my military service.
7. JOBS: What would you do to increase job prospects for people with developmental disabilities?
This is where we need a pathway approach with case management. My son cannot hold a job, in part due to the employers not understanding his disability. Just like my son, structured forms of jobs (e.g. farm work, institutional-based employment, residential-based employment, etc.) is found to be more successful for employment options. Bringing in community colleges, private and public employment systems, and supportive systems can help in that pathways approach to getting a person employed. Similar to the Goodwill model
8. SAFETY: How will you ensure your city's streets, sidewalks and intersections are safe and accessible to everyone?
Here in Maple Valley, we have a trail system that parallels the major roads. Additionally, we have ramps and sidewalk access for those who need the assistance. In areas where we may need to focus, I support additional considerations.
9. TRANSIT: Do you think Lyft, Uber and other ride-share companies should be required to include wheelchair accessible vehicles in their fleets?
Yes. This is without question
10. TRANSIT: What will you do to expand transit service and improve reliability?
We're actually trying to expand transit in our area at a more global level (meaning for everyone in Maple Valley). I would partner up with King County to facilitate pushing Lyft, Uber, and all licensed transportation organizations to commit to providing a percentage of their vehicles as dedicated to those with disabilities.
