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	Alan L. Lewandowski, is a first time candidate for the Port Huron City Council.
1. The City Manager has proposed water rate increases in each of the next five years, Brian Moeller has stated that he would not support additional water rate increases, what is your position?
I do not support the large water rate increases that are planned in Port Huron's budget. I understand that some increases will be needed to pay for the project, but 66% in five years is excessive.
2. If you are opposed to the City Manager's Budget, how would you balance the budget?
I would have voted no on the 2007/2008 budget. I believe that further cuts need to be made. The city needs to become more efficient at how it spends the taxpayer money. Combining services, eliminating programs and finding ways to generate more revenue is how the budget problems will be solved.
3. For many years the leaders of Port Huron have extolled the amenities of our city and it's great potential, in your opinion, why hasn't that potential been realized?
I do not think that you can point the blame on any one person. It has been a combination of factors that has kept Port Huron from reaching its potential. As of recently, I would say that the economy has been the biggest factor. Along with the economy, I think the lack of people being allowed or trying to bring in new development has keep Port Huron from reaching its full potential.
4. Several of the challengers for council seats have expressed hesitation at being specific about budget issues, stating that the budget published on the city web page is not the real one, and that they are not "privy" to specific information that would shape their opinion. In the interest of having an open and transparent government, shouldn't the budget that is published be the real one?
See Question 5.
5. Candidate Al Wright found that the full detailed budget can be available to citizens if they pay approximately $200.00 plus time expenses for printing. Would you favor having the full budget available on the city's web page, or that the city would make it available on a CD disk for $1.00?
I see no reason not to publish the real budget on the city’s website. Any citizen who wants access to this information should be able read it. Al Wright has a great idea about putting the budget on disc. This would be a cheap and effective way to distribute this information. With the modern office equipment that I am sure the city has, it would not take long to scan onto a disc.
6. If Pete was your son, would you advise him to purchase in the city of Port Huron? If so, why? If not, what can be done to make Port Huron a more financially attractive place to live?
Yes, I would advise Pete to move to Port Huron, if he was willing to take a gamble. There is no doubt in my mind that the services you receive while living in Port Huron are better then other surrounding areas. The risk comes on what you think the value of your home is going to be worth in five to ten years. If Port Huron is successful in turning things around in the right direction, I believe Pete would gain more value out of buying a home in Port Huron compared to if he bought the same priced home in Marysville, Ft. Gratiot, or Port Huron Township.
7. The city has given tax incentives to encourage developers, manufacturers and businesses to locate in Port Huron, should they give tax relief to encourage common people to locate in Port Huron?
The tax rates are not the major reason people are not moving to Port Huron, or leaving Port Huron. Give people decent paying jobs and something to do and they will move back to our city. Excessive increases in "user fees" are hurting Port Huron more than the tax rates.
8. If elected, and you had sufficient support on the council, what would be your first priority?
My first priority would be to get Terra Land back as quickly as possible with their new proposal.
9. Televised city council meetings are intended to inform the public in a transparent manner, in your opinion, when should the council go into "closed session"?
Only when allowed by the open meeting act.
10. What changes in the city charter, if any, would you support?
After forty years, I see no reason why the charter should not be looked at to see if anything can be changed to help the city become more efficient and cost effective. I would be willing to look into all this, but not until after the bigger problem of solving the budget problem is done.