Running for the Midland City Council at-large seat is Cheston Blank. In an interview with Midland Times, the candidate reveals his motivations, vision, and strategies for addressing key issues within the city.
MT: Can you provide a brief introduction about yourself?
I am 20 years old and a student at Midland College, though not currently taking classes for this semester. I was raised in Midland and have been here for 16 years. I spent a lot of my free time volunteering and am a member of the Midland Rotary Club.
MT: What motivated you to run for the Midland City Council at-large seat?
I want to solve problems because Midland is not safe to walk outside and I see a way to solve a lot of the issues we have had with the city for a long time. I also didn't feel confident that there would be a candidate who would touch upon the issues that I thought were important. I figured I should step up and be the one to advocate for those issues instead.
MT: What specific experiences do you have that makes you well-suited for this role?
As a lower-income individual and a college student, I have witnessed first hand how hard it can be to make a living. I have nothing but free time, and I have first-hand experience with our schools.
MT: What key issues do you consider the most pressing for the city of Midland, and what is your vision for addressing them?
I think our most pressing problem facing the city are onerous restrictions. The city puts restrictions on private property owners that contribute to car dependent urban sprawl and also increases the startup cost of building new homes and businesses.
Although it might be cheaper for developers to build on new land than to invest areas that people already live, it's not for taxpayers that have to foot the bill for all those new roads, infrastructure, pipelines, power cables, fire station and inevitable maintenance that we now have to provide in an absurd effort to provide city services to near rural densities. All of which redirects money that would otherwise fund services for existing residents, divesting from areas in desperate need of opportunities. The property taxes we get from these developments is not enough to cover the initial infrastructure cost and future maintenance. We simply can't afford it, and they just don’t provide an adequate return on investment.
With our infrastructure, if we can barely keep the roads in order as they are now, how can we expect to maintain miles of brand-new ones? Not only that, but outward sprawl on areas are mostly zoned for single family homes, and people are farther away from centers of employment and education, increasing residents' transportation cost.
MT: What strategies do you propose to promote economic development in Midland and ensure sustainable growth?
To promote economic development and ensure sustainable growth, the strategies needed include sprawl repair, tax reform, value added tax, and zoning reform. Like mentioned before, Midland’s potential is being strained by onerous regulations.
MT: What measures do you believe are necessary to enhance public safety in Midland, and how do you plan to work with law enforcement and the community?
We are currently suffering a large police shortage, so in order to enhance public safety, we need to hire more police officers to protect residents. I will support all law enforcement efforts to ensure Midland is a safe city.
MT: How do you plan to approach budgetary decisions and ensure fiscal responsibility for the benefit of Midland taxpayers?
To approach budgetary decisions, I plan on auditing, looking at the ROI on new and existing developers, and providing transparency by making all decisions clear.
MT: Are there specific areas where you see opportunities for budget optimization or reallocation of resources?
I believe we can reallocate resources to infrastructure to reduce unfairness to business and auditing by going over and reconsidering our financial decisions. Lets focus on our immediate needs and not just nice things. Although I would like to focus on the nicer things, now is not the time given we have so much liability to focus on.
MT: How do you intend to communicate with constituents and gather their input on important city matters?
Currently, I am active on Nextdoor, where I initially announced my candidacy. I've been answering peoples questions regarding my candidacy and my positions on policy matters on that platform, but I plan on reaching out on other platforms. I would also like to go directly to meet people face-to-face, as well.