| Premier Shutters & Blinds offers the best rates on custom window treatments in the area. If you're looking for custom shutters in St. Louis for your home, these are the people to go to! |
| Premier Shutters & Blinds offers the best rates on custom window treatments in the area. If you're looking for custom shutters in St. Louis for your home, these are the people to go to! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Exclusive Interview with Brinnon Morrison |
|
|
| Written by Will | |
| Wednesday, 16 January 2008 | |
|
Arnold Talk is dedicated to bring the residents of our fair town the latest and best information. I had the priviledge of interviewing Brinnon Morrison, who is currently running for a ward three city council seat. Many people on AT seem to think this ward desperately needs a change in leadership, but so far the incumbents are pretty firmly planted in their spots. It will be interesting to watch how this race goes. And now for the interview. ArnoldTalk: Brinnon, tell me a little about you. What do you do? How long have you lived in Arnold? Do you have family here? Brinnon Morrison: I am employed at an agricultural biotech company as a Global business analyst. I analyze processes and using a systematic strategic approach to determine what is needed to do that processes most efficiently and effectively. Previously, I worked at Sigma-Aldrich as the US Regional Compliance Manager. Prior to that I served four years in the United States Air Force. I have a Master’s Degree in Biology with emphasis in molecular microbiology. ArnoldTalk: Why are you interested in running for city council? Have you ever run/held public office before? Brinnon Morrison: I want to serve the Arnold community, this is a community with people who work very hard and I want to work with them to build a stronger community. I don’t agree with some of the decisions that have been made and I would like to make sure those bad decisions are not continued. I have never held a public office, however I am in and previously have been in leadership positions within the private sector and in the military. ArnoldTalk: How do you assess Ms Deckman's work on city council, and what would you do differently if elected? Brinnon Morrison: Ms. Deckman has served honorably and I wish her the best regardless of the outcome. Rather than compare and contrast I will state my views and allow the voter to make the decision they feel is best for the Arnold community. Hopefully, after reading this and giving it significant thought you will come to the conclusion that Brinnon Morrison is the right person for the job. Overall, I believe this city is in a unique position in its growth and development and needs leaders who put significant thought and research into issues. I would look at what is best for the city, what is best for individuals/businesses involved and if there is a gap between the two I would examine and attempt to find the solution that absolutely does not infringe upon the safety or freedoms of our citizens all the while providing the best possible long-term benefit to the city. I will be as transparent as possible in my reasoning behind the decisions that I make by making myself easily accessible for comments and input. While I know not everyone will agree with my decisions, I certainly want them to be heard. Recently an ordinance was passed that would fine an individual for statements that are believed to be cyber-harassment. While I feel an ordinance is needed against cyber-harassment to attempt to prevent such cases as the Megan Meier case, which is sad and sickening event. I do not feel this specific ordinance is the answer. There needs to be a lower threshold and specific wording targeting specifically adults who prey on children and minors or groups of minors who display repeated harassing behavior towards other minors. Then a higher threshold of harassment should be applied to strictly adult interactions especially since it appears this is going to be a citizen compliant driven ordinance. The wording is too vague and could potentially be used and applied inappropriately to those simply speaking out on the internet in message boards or other websites. Unfortunately, this ordinance will not protect children. Regardless, how will it be enforced and how is this going to be applied in the real world is the question that appears to have been ignored or missed altogether. Is this simply a way of shrugging our shoulders and saying “oh well we tried, see we passed an ordinance” when something serious does happen? Individuals in a position of authority need to know when they have reached their limitations and need further knowledge beyond their scope, this is a case where it is very clear that that limitation was breached and a rush piece of legislation was pushed through without downstream thought. ArnoldTalk: What is your standing on the use of eminent domain? What do you think about what Arnold has done thus far with their eminent domain use? Brinnon Morrison: This is an issue that is happening all over our country, not just in Arnold and those citizens are fighting back. Around 35 states have passed legislation to restrict eminent domain for third party private development. Additionally, when tougher laws around eminent domain are on a state ballot it overwhelmingly is passed. Many cities have also passed ordinances strengthening condemnation and blight definitions making it tougher for these classifications to be applied. The action of these communities is something that I believe Arnold should follow along with establishing tougher definitions of blight and condemnation and asking tough questions of itself such as was the blight or condemnation a result of city mismanagement. I am generally very much against the forceable purchase of land from private citizens by any government for the use of private development. Taking property from citizens for the purpose of advancing economic interest of third parties is not something that I believe should happen. Additionally, condemning property, declaring an area blight and then turning that area over to a third party is very questionable. While I am all for development, it cannot be imposed improperly and overall the burden must be on the city not on the citizens. ArnoldTalk: If elected, what is the number one goal you'd like to achieve over your two-year term, and how would you go about achieving it? Brinnon Morrison: I would like for Arnold to take a leadership position on protecting its citizens from improper use of eminent domain by passing ordinances against this practice, while I want those businesses here and support them and those they employ and encourage all to do so, I do not support eminent domain for private development. ArnoldTalk: You will be representing the citizens of Arnold. What do you think they consider the most important issue in Arnold? Brinnon Morrison: They need to be very concerned if their views are actually being represented. Are their leaders representing their own individual view points or are they representing their constituents view points? How far do they want their local government to intercede into their daily life? ArnoldTalk: How can people get involved and help you promote your bid for office? Brinnon Morrison: First they need to register and they need to make it a priority to go and vote on April 8th. Second, if they agree with what they read or if they simply want change in the Arnold City Council then they need to speak out in the paper, on Arnold Talk and on Topix. ArnoldTalk: Brinnon, thank you for your time answering these questions and for your interest in our great city. Brinnon Morrison: I pride myself on striving to be a good leader, I have a sense of duty to serve to the best of my abilities this community, to correct the best that I can past wrongs and to learn from them as well, to speak for those who do not have the power or will to speak for themselves and to develop a positive community that my daughter and your children can grow up in and be proud of what the see around them. I believe to do this there needs to be a clear strategic plan that addresses business development, community improvement and planning, and public health and safety. I believe the best way to accomplish this is through a process of continuous improvement and analysis of established ordinances and development plans and thorough input and research of proposed ordinances and development plans. In addition we need to look at issues that raise the quality of life of our citizens. Can we provide free WI-FI, do we have a recreation center that is affordable for senior citizens and those on a fixed budget, are we getting the latest security technology to our police to help in protecting our citizens and protecting themselves, are there grants that have gone overlooked that we could use to help beautify our city or provide for arts, do we need side walks so our senior citizens can walk safely in their neighborhoods, do we need to partner with the school board to get more bus stops so students aren’t walking a mile in the dark at 6:15 in the morning on a poorly lit street. These are all issues that I see, these are all great opportunities. I ask that you vote and I ask that you give me your vote on April 8th. Comments (7)
  written by Jess30, January 16, 2008
I am in ward 3 and welcome the change.
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +2
 written by Brinnon Morrison, January 16, 2008
Thanks Shirley and thanks Jess30.
This early support means a great deal. report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
 written by lj0506, January 17, 2008
You've got my vote!
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
 written by jewells, January 18, 2008
BRAVO!!! You've got my vote!!!
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +1
 written by srhoades, January 20, 2008
You have my vote, too
report abuse
vote down
vote up
Votes: +0
Write comment
|
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Tesco|Pay Day Loans|Debt Consolidation|Homeowner Loans|Mortgage Calculator
Subscribe to this comment's feed
I read your interview and even though I am not in your Ward I would like to say I was impressed. If I were in your Ward I would seriously consider voting for you.
Shirley