Milford Times sent the same set of questions to all candidates who are running for the Ward 2 City Council seat currently held by Councilwoman Lori Connor who did not register to run for another term. Kim Wills provided her responses to the questions. The answers are in the candidate’s own words to questions gathered from members of the community. The election is Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Public Works Office, 180 Vickers Drive, Milford. Only residents registered to vote in Ward 2 will be able to vote as all other seats are unopposed.
Personal Commitment and Background
Do you as a prospective city council member have the time to commit to carrying out your duties, considering your occupation, business involvement, family and social commitments?
I am currently retired. My husband, who was my main responsibility, passed away earlier this month. (I had paid care aides who sat with him during important meetings and engagements. This allowed me to be active while ensuring his care.) I am now a widowed, financially stable woman who has even more time and determination to spend on my community.
What experience do you have in working cooperatively with people you don’t agree with or dislike to resolve difficult issues?
I have worked with the community of Milford to address the homeless community. That has very different viewpoints and requires a deep commitment to working together to help those who are in need. I was a stable middle of the road to be heart and brains while calming those who were at either extreme on the issue.
As an Officer of the American Legion, I have worked with all types of people. The military taught me to work towards a goal and not against each other, The American Legion goals keep that mindset intact.
Can you share with the public your history of involvement in the Milford Community and how it has prepared you to serve on City Council? How does this involvement qualify you to serve on council. Will you vote for or against something that you feel is the right thing for Milford even though you may be pressured to vote otherwise?
I spoke against the Pallet Village coming to Milford. After the meeting, a few of us spoke to Juddson (Springboard Director). We exchanged the facts on the issue of homelessness in Milford and the struggles of not having wrap-around services in Milford. He stepped back from pursuing a Village here. I went on to work on the issue and housing the homeless using state and federal resources already available.
I worked with several of the Council and did community field trips with a few others. It involved working with code enforcement, developing a working relationship with the behavioral unit and police department, working with businesses in town on their issues with them, while also making sure the homeless were treated with respect and love.
My involvement with the various aspects of the City as well as the coordination of community members and businesses as the Chair of the Milford Homeless Action Committee is just a small part of my resume that makes me qualified to run as a great candidate.
All issues that I would vote on as a Council member would be as a representative of the people in Ward 2. The vote I would give would not be my personal vote but their vote that I am casting. I have a proven history for not being pressured into doing
Growth and Development
As Milford continues to grow, how do you plan to manage future development while maintaining the city’s character and quality of life?
Stopping a child from growing up is as unobtainable as stopping growth in Milford. We are a great place to live and the secret is out. The character of the town, to me, is the feeling of neighbors, the knowing the cashier or waitress by name, and enjoying the activities with the generations of your family. Milford is working hard to keep that feeling alive. Many groups are working to keep the downtown active, thriving and bringing in tourists.
The quality of life is here. I live in an older section of Milford that has streetlights, kids riding their bikes and neighbors who sit on their porches. The small-town feel is still here.
Do you believe current zoning regulations are adequate, or do they require changes? Additionally, what is your stance on high-density housing versus single-family development, and where should each be prioritized within the city?
The current zoning regulations are adequate. Milford cannot legally stop a developer from building townhouses or single family homes on property that is zoned for such if the plans meet the regulations. The issue most have is the variances that seem to be plenty. I would love to see more plans that don’t have as many variances.
I would like to see more high-density housing, as opposed to more single-family developments. The cost of housing is making it hard for the median working families to afford a home. I know the stigma of Section 8 housing and rental properties is a factor. I watched the discussion of a denied housing project quickly turn into Section 8 scare. The fact is we need more low income and HUD housing in Milford. The waiting list for an apartment in Milford is years. We need to address this issue. I keep hearing the phrase affordable housing, but we need to address the layers of affordability.
I do not feel that as a Council member that we can demand any type of housing be put in certain areas. It is based on the zoning and availability of land.
Economic Development
What strategies would you prioritize to attract new businesses to Milford while still supporting existing businesses?
I would like to work with the economic development director. A list of stores that median income, population and education level requirements that meet Milford demographics would be a great starting point. I constantly see we need XYZ store online post. The criteria for XYZ is beyond Milford’s criteria. We need a reasonable expectations list and see if we can persuade those stores that would add to the town to build here.
The small businesses that we all love will still be patronized. Milford stores all have a unique personality. They aren’t just a store front; they are pieces of our town. I think Milford residents would support both. With all the new stores in recent years, I have not seen stores closing at the same rate.
How do you feel the city can encourage diverse economic growth beyond retail?
As stated above, we need to know our demographics and how they match to larger store chains. Every store has a minimum criterion to invest in an area. The economic development department can and does reach out to stores. As the needs of the residents arise, a store will fill the gap. Luckily, Milford has an abundance of mom-and-pop type stores and entrepreneurs. The best way that all of us can help is by shopping at our existing stores. Shop Small isn’t just a slogan, we need to make it a priority.
What role should incentives play in economic development and how would you ensure they benefit residences as well as new businesses?
Many incentives have designated guidelines. If individuals are allowed to receive the incentives, the City needs to ensure the programs are put out to the public in proper channels. The City is currently pushing the Senior Citizen tax break. All incentives should be shared in the same way.
In what ways would you support downtown vitality and small businesses as an economic driver in Milford?
I personally love the Downtown activities, festivals, and Farmer’s Market. The city’s partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Milford Inc is a vital part of driving people downtown. Having monthly activities downtown as well as proper advertising on social media formats would help ensure the drive to shop downtown. In a time when you can shop in your pajamas, being a destination to go to is a social media coordinated effort that has to be constant.
I love the connections the stores have of posting each other’s business regularly. It helps the stores connect and brings people to shop multiple places with each post. Most of the businesses sell different wares so the free social media postings help the community without hurting their businesses. I would love to encourage more businesses to join in the love shares.
Retail Marijuana
Milford currently prohibits marijuana sales within city limits; however, there are vape shops operating that sell unregulated THC products, and the city may be facing legal challenges from a dispensary that believes it was previously grandfathered under earlier regulations. Given these factors, do you support revisiting or modifying the city’s current ban on marijuana sales?
I believe the current solicitor should make a determination as to the situation currently being discussed. All information needs to be shared as to who gave the “legally clear” determination. As a Council person, I would want to know why anyone would give that distinction to a business applying to do business that has not been approved by the Council.
A workshop was had concerning the marijuana issue. The Council has the ability to revisit the issue. I would encourage them to take the viewpoints of those who gave feedback at the workshop, via email or by phone concerning this issue. The will of the people should be displayed by the votes cast.
If so, what specific changes would you consider, and how would you address concerns related to regulation, fairness, public safety, and consistency in enforcement?
I would like to see the THC that is not regulated be regulated. It is unfair to a business who is trying to follow all the proper procedures be unallowed while another business can be loopholed into profiting from the same type of product.
I would rely heavily on the Solicitor to inform the Council on the legal route that can be followed to make the sales fair. All parts of the Marijuana Bill need to be readdressed.
As a Veteran and American Legion member, the fight to change the status of Marijuana scheduling was part of the fight for veterans. The Executive Order is changing the laws, and we need to be in conformity federally.
Parks and Recreation
As Milford continues to grow, what is your vision for expanding parks, recreational spaces, and family-friendly amenities?
I think the biggest thing we are missing in the new phases of development is a community playground. Open spaces and trees are important but having a playground as part of the neighborhood would be a valuable asset. Sidewalks should be included so bike paths and running areas would be automatic. The developers are making sufficient money to include these amenities as part of their plans.
The current parks and recreational areas all need some work. The Boys and Girls pool, little league fields, and almost every area needs some work. The addition of the bathrooms by the play area and pickleball courts have been needed for several years.
We need to use grants, aid and tax dollars with financial responsibility in mind. Would you add a new addition if your main house needed major repairs? The Milford Parks and Recreation Department should be allowed to run the same. The Director is willing to go after grants for the needed repairs but is sent on other ventures repeatedly. The fix for the “Riverwalk hole” was an easy vote. It took over a year for a must fix vote.
We need to value the effort of our Parks and Rec crew. The parks are constantly maintained, and we truly need to fix what we have before we build more.
Are there specific types of facilities—such as playgrounds, walking trails, bike lanes, or community recreation areas—that you believe are currently lacking and should be prioritized?
The areas of recreation that most people are asking for on social media are business based. Mini golf, splash parks, arcades, etc. are more in line with economic development. We have multiple parks with playground equipment, basketball courts, pickleball and walking trails.
I do believe with the influx of new Milfordians that the businesses will come.
How would you approach planning and funding these improvements, and how would you ensure they are accessible, safe, and beneficial for residents of all ages?
The connection with our Representative and former Mayor Bryan Shupe should be utilized to help ensure that Milford is applying for and receiving any grants or funding source that could be used to improve the parks we have.
The Can-Do park and the new play equipment at Bicentennial Park are designed to be utilized by all ability levels in part. The pickle ball court, Riverwalk and activities put on by Parks and Rec are for all ages. I believe that Milford is doing a great job with Parks and Rec,
Additionally, how do you see investments in parks and recreation contributing to Milford’s overall quality of life and long-term growth?
I think improving the current parks and recreational spaces would benefit Milford. It is one thing to have a pool but to have a pool that can be used regularly is an improvement. Adding soccer fields by the Boys and Girls Club is a feasible option I was told in a conversation with Parks and Rec. during the talk of other parks. Putting money into the Little League field and its parking lot would help improve the League.
I believe that reinvesting in these types of projects would improve the overall feel and quality of life for all of the residents.
Long term growth would be affected positively. Prospective buyers look at Boys and Girls Clubs, availability of water classes for seniors, playgrounds, and fields for their children to participate in youth sports.
