Steven Miller:
· AGE: 50
·
RESIDENCE: 2934 Monticello Drive.
·
OCCUPATION: Juvenile probation officer for St. Clair County.
·
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Port Huron mayor, 1995-97 and 1999; Port Huron
mayor pro-tem from 1997-99; school board for Blue Water Learning Academy.
·
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from Bethel College; associate degree from
St. Clair Community College
·
FAMILY: Wife, Kim; two children.
"How
do you like the work new city manager Bruce Brown is doing ? Please give
examples of what you liked or disliked so far."
"A few months ago the City Council removed funding for the EDA and hired their own Economic Development director. Do you support the direction this council has taken?" Submitted by John Edison Palmer 8-27-2009.
No response
During the pre-primary debate. A few of the challengers commented that too much time has been spent on "trivial matters." Specifically, over the past two years, what items up for council consideration have you considered "trivial?" Submitted by Jim Fisher 8-26-2009.
No response
The current city council drastically reduced the pay for the new city manager compared to the previous city manager, would you favor reducing the pay level for department heads and eliminating severance pay when they quit? Submitted by Chad Noetzel 8-12-2009.
No response
1. What strategy should the city employ for economic development?
"The
city needs to address the economic situation in a comprehensive manner. We need
to address our own needs with the use of the newly hired executive director of
industrial development. We need to promote our access to transportation and the
international border. The new Blue Water Bridge Plaza will afford us additional
marketing opportunities that we need to build on and promote. We also need to
work with the various governmental entities and organizations in the surrounding
area for the common good and job creation. The main advantage we have is the
water. This should be the marketing strategy."
2. What should be done to pay the debt from the sewer separation project?
"The
city needs to utilize federal stimulus money, as much as possible, to pay for
the (combined sewer overflow) work. There will be a number of stimulus resources
that will offset some of the cost. MDOT also will be picking up the bill for
some additional work that will be done. We can use the street money voters
previously approved to pay for part of the project and the CSO bill. What is not
covered will need to be financed by low-interest loans. There is no doubt that
we need to find every available resource to pay this enormous bill."
3. After economic development, what is the biggest issue facing the city?
"The biggest issue facing the city
is its financial health. The decline of revenue, jobs, residency and the lack of
opportunities for prosperity is causing residents and our young people to leave.
I have two daughters who make their homes outside of the Port Huron area due, in
part, to the lack of viable employment. I believe we must address this more than
any other issue. This will require marketing this area and its strengths to
create a job base for a young and vibrant community. Growth promotes more
growth. The strongest marketing points are the college, the waterways, Acheson
Ventures and access to international transportation."
4. What would you do with McMorran Place if you had the final say?
"The one thing that cannot happen is closing McMorran. Should McMorran close, it would lead to urban decline and blight downtown. Even though this is a recurring cost at this time to the city, the alternative is much worst. It was a gift given to us, and we need to make sure it remains viable. The most appealing idea is to expand the use of the facility. This, in itself, would generate money and stimulate downtown business. This would create an interest in downtown restaurants and businesses. The other idea would be a partnership with the county or private management group."