Why are you seeking public office and what are your qualifications?

I seek reelection as Mayor because Bloomington is a unique community that we have an obligation to preserve and improve. Few communities in the nation feature the beauty, diversity, character, spirit and opportunity that paint the Bloomington picture.

By having the best quality of life and business climate, we will create and retain good-paying jobs, increase our tax base, and raise the standard of living for all our residents.

In working for the support of voters during my years in elected office, I have learned to listen and lead. I've gained an appreciation for just how unique Bloomington is in Indiana and the country. I love the fact much of our wellbeing comes from non-marketable qualities.

I love this city, the arts, the campus, the community, the way of life. There are many people just like me who love Bloomington for all the same reasons. We need a mayor who is going to work hard every day to build on what Bloomington is today and to provide leadership to set and achieve future goals. Not only will I bring forth new ideas, strategic opportunities and ambitious plans to lead Bloomington to a bright future, I am going to work every day with the citizens of Bloomington to accomplish these goals.

Bloomington has been a wonderful city. People come here to learn, to build careers, to raise families, and to retire. That.s why we need an active, engaged and hard working leader to ensure future generations have even more opportunities than we have today.

That is why I am running for Mayor of Bloomington!

Given the percentage of local business that is comprised of small business, what specifically do you plan to do to support and grow the small business sector?

I intend to continue working with existing businesses to help them increase productivity, expand their employment base, facilitate problem resolution, and simply have questions and calls promptly responded to by the city.

The Kruzan Administration has set out to foster economic growth, in part, through:

Advocacy: We dedicated staff to assist businesses in navigating government processes, alert business owners about construction projects, and seek Chamber input on policy matters.

Parking Reform: City government has undertaken the most sweeping reform in Downtown parking in two decades.

Business Climate: This election is about who will best protect the unique character and commerce of the community to keep it the kind of place people want to live, work, and visit. I.m ready to keep doing just that.

Regulatory Environment: We've worked for fairness and predictability in City Code decisions such as the sign ordinance rewrite. My goal has been to create the proper balance between public health and safety, the environment, and the growth of employment and wealth.

Workforce Development: The City has partnered with the Chamber, Franklin Initiative, MCCSC, Ivy Tech, and IU to ensure we have a skilled and dedicated workforce that complements the creativity and drive of our local entrepreneurs.

Small business is the engine that drives job growth. We should concentrate on growing better paying jobs and training the workforce for these jobs. We need to hear from small business on how local government can help them grow.

One area that is critical for small business is access to start up capital. Government needs to work with the private sector in solving this problem. Progress has already occurred with the efforts of BEDC and Jane Martin on creating a venture capital fund. However, many small businesses will not qualify for venture capital and still need access to funding. This local funding must come from private placements, banks, friends, and/or families. Government can play an important role in encouraging these options.

The business incubator and Certified Tech Park are important in developing affordable office space and shared resources. City government hasn.t been active enough in promoting this important initiative.

How would you promote job growth while still preserving a healthy natural environment in Bloomington?

A sound environment and community growth are not mutually exclusive. But without adequate attention, they can be. "Growth" does not just mean "more." It also means "better."

The quality of our living environment cannot be left to chance.

There are ways to ensure both preservation of a healthy environment and a growing economy. The most important place to start is in land use planning and zoning. Elected officials must work with residents and businesses to identify the environmental and economic growth goals of the community in order to enhance Bloomington.

Two key areas in which the city focuses are ensuring top quality construction of residential and commercial projects and preserving green space. Most families and employees of businesses seek to live and work in communities where these two components are priorities.

Bloomington's environment is an important aspect of our economic development efforts. Our urban forest, lakes, creeks and open lands draw people from all walks of life to our community.

We are all architects of our city's future. Balancing community needs with an understanding of our environment's limits will empower us to build a better Bloomington.

A healthy natural environment and a growing community are compatible.

Among the types of business we are likely to grow and attract are professional services, medical, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. These types of businesses are very much environmentally friendly.

Government must create the environment for people and businesses to create jobs. This will allow public-private partnerships to help generate jobs. This will also encourage local business to expand and will encourage new businesses to locate here. Additional businesses with quality jobs create competition for employees, which will help increase wages.

In addition, it is important for government to make sure the necessary infrastructure is in place for business. Infrastructure in today's environment includes telecommunications infrastructure. Access to funding is important for economic development so government should encourage venture capital and bank financing. In all these arenas, government must work with the private sector.

What is your vision for the downtown and what would you do to enact your vision (i.e. transportation initiatives, parking, art district, etc.)?

My dream is of a day when people live in, work in, and visit a Downtown Bloomington with readily available parking, reliable mass transit, 24-hour amenities, and the unique blend of BEAD, B-Line Trail, and Certified Tech Park.

We.re well on our way to that dream becoming reality on several fronts.

Parking: I spearheaded the parking study and, working with your Chamber, have had city government enter into a parking garage management contract, work toward better on-street parking plans, and begin planning a Trolley Bus system to link the varying parts of my Downtown vision.

Planning: During my first year as Mayor, the City initiated the Downtown Plan, which led to better planning provisions in the new UDO.

BEAD & B-Line & CTP: During my first mayoral campaign, I proposed a downtown arts district. That proposal led to the creation of BEAD in the same year our Certified Tech Park was established. BEAD.s purpose isn.t simply to promote the arts -- it.s to promote the arts as economic driver. Along with the City.s recent purchase and planning of the B-Line Trail and CTP designation, BEAD will make Downtown Bloomington a destination attraction for resident and visitor, alike.

Downtown Bloomington's restaurants, businesses, and shops are the soul of our great city. We have purposely established the Sabbagh for Mayor Operations in the heart of our city as a constant reminder of the importance for bringing new opportunities and increased employment to our downtown.

The following are issues that we need to resolve to improve the environment for downtown business.

• Downtown needs to be a major employment center and downtown businesses need parking for their employees and their patrons.
• It is important that we make it easier, not harder, for people to get to work whether by car, bicycle, Bloomington Transit, or walking. We must make sure that we don.t put up barriers restricting access to employment and employment centers.
• Approvals for building projects: the length of time required and number of meetings required for projects are a burden on businesses.
• Arts: we should encourage Bloomington to be an active arts community. It is important we engage IU in this effort.
• Downtown needs to be pedestrian friendly.

Would you propose a plan or support a CBU proposal for a second water line (36'') from the Monroe Plant along with associated pumping and storage facilities? Why/why not?

Yes. Earlier this year, I proposed one of the largest infrastructure investments in City history: a four-year, multimillion-dollar construction investment by the City Utilities Department to ensure that city and county residents have an adequate water supply through at least the year 2027. I continue to support an increase in our water treatment capacity and to construct a second, 36-inch diameter, line pumping water from Lake Monroe.

Yes, I would support a second water line. I also support the Chamber Task Force recommendation for preliminary planning of engineering and financial planning for pumping and storage facilities. Developing a plan for a second water line is a protection against future risks of disruption in our single water line. Water is the essential resource. Looking ahead, it is clear our current line will need augmentation, and a second line will not only accomplish this goal, it provides us with protection against interruption of supply.

Do you believe that the capacity of our water treatment facility is inadequate? If so, what would you do to rectify this issue?

There is no more precious resource to a community's future than water.

I've proposed increasing Monroe Water Treatment Plant capacity from 24 million gallons of water per day to 30 million gallons. My proposal would extend the water plant's maximum day capacity needs for the next two decades.

As this plan proceeds, we will be petitioning the State of Indiana to increase the community's "allotment" of water from Lake Monroe. This goal is all the more important given the interest shown last year in our city and county's water source by outside interests.

The report from the Chamber's Infrastructure Taskforce indicates there is adequate capacity at this time. However, there needs to be a long term plan for plant expansion in place. The report also states that CBU has adequate plant capacity reserved for the corporate limits that is currently unavailable in the fringe areas surrounding the city.

Do you plan to propose action for infrastructure improvements on east-west thoroughfares, namely the Second and Third street corridors? Why/why not?

Planning is already underway on much needed West 3rd and West 2nd corridor projects.

• West 3rd Street will be widened to four lanes and will feature bike lanes in both directions and sidewalks on both sides of the road. This construction will tie in where the City's 3rd/Kirkwood/Adams project left off at Landmark Avenue and will continue west to Franklin Road.

You can read more and sign up for e-mail updates at the Engineering section of the City's website, www.bloomington.in.gov.

• West 2nd Street will also see changes similar to those on W. 3rd. Design alternatives have already been submitted for public comment. There will be a need to consider differences in the nature of various phases of this project, especially where it runs through neighborhoods. The design process will take place in the next two years and require State review if we are to qualify for INDOT funds.

Public input has been and will be sought throughout both roads' construction processes.

We must think of Bloomington as a community, not simply a string of neighborhoods. We must allow our citizens the ability to move from one part of our community to another in a reasonable period of time. For some, this means bicycles. For others, it requires public transit and private automobiles. It is more than time we began a coordinated plan allowing citizens, workers, students the ability to move from east to west or west to east. We need thoroughfares to carry traffic so that neighborhood streets contain mainly neighborhood traffic.

Would you propose plans for infrastructure improvements that provide a good foundation to develop key areas in the community for new business recruitment?

Yes. In fact, the city budget I proposed this year represents our most significant infrastructure investment yet.

Strong and safe road and sidewalk systems are critical building blocks of a vital, sustainable economy. With my proposal, we will have increased street maintenance funds by 71% and paving funding by 148% since 2004. Sidewalk funding will have doubled.

Many significant roads projects have occurred during my first term as Mayor, and I.m seeking Council approval for another three, consisting of the Atwater/Henderson, Sare & Rogers Roads, and Country Club & Rogers intersections improvements.

We've targeted sewer extensions for economic growth-related construction, and I've called for a multimillion-dollar water treatment expansion.

I have also initiated an annual Neighborhood Capital Improvements Fund to support neighborhood infrastructure needs such as engineering & architectural designs for public improvements; land acquisition for open space, bike/pedestrian connector paths, streetscape & gateway designs and construction; green infrastructure, and upgrades to failing sewer or septic.

Finally, investment in BEAD, the Certified Tech Park, and the B-Line Trail (including purchase of the CSX Switchyard) are infrastructure improvements in and of themselves that will also spur further improvement in traditional infrastructure as well as in economic vitality.

I would focus on the Technology Park and North Park. Both have been initiated, and both are key to business recruitment in our community. Our record in developing the Technology Park has been slow and almost non-existent. Our history with North Park has been to shun it, rather than to work with the developer to create opportunities.

The lack of already zoned land with utilities limits our ability to attract larger employers that are needed for a well rounded business community.

Please list any additional information or comments here:

The issues outlined in this Chamber Questionnaire provide a roadmap for my administration and campaign. I seek to continue to help us face change with resolve and imagination. Resolve to preserve what.s special about our city and imagination to envision what it can be. I'd appreciate your support in doing so.