Q1. People experiencing houselessness sometimes set up encampments on personal or public property. These provide a sense of community and stability but also have created concerns about safety and sanitation. How do you think Morgantown should approach encampments like these?
(See combined answer below)
Q2. Recently, people have criticized unsheltered residents for asking for money in the downtown area and along roadways. Do you think this activity should be illegal? How do you envision addressing economic insecurity in Morgantown?
(See combined answer below)
Q3. The Center for Disease Control advocates for needs-based syringe programs (providing access to the number of syringes needed “to ensure that a new, sterile syringe is available for each injection” with no restrictions including returning used syringes) as the best practice to reduce new HIV and viral hepatitis infections. These programs (that follow suggested best practices) have been controversial in West Virginia and in 2021 resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 334, which limits some of the evidence-based best practices.. If elected to city council, how would you view syringe distribution programs? Are there other harm reduction programs you would like to see Morgantown implement?
"On questions 1 thru 3 I'd really like to get in office and see what the city has been doing currently and in the past with houseless population. I'm familiar with most programs in town but would like to learn more on city involvement with programs. I do have concerns about the recent rise in theft, safety and sanitation. I like to see us continue our programs for those that seek assistance and help but at the same time we have to protect our residence from those that take advantage and don't care about safety and the city."
Q4. In 2020, the Morgantown City Council passed a cannabis decriminalization ordinance, lowering the misdemeanor crime of possession of cannabis under 15 grams in city limits to a $15 fine and no jail time. What are your views on cannabis and decriminalization of drugs for personal use? Should more be done to decriminalize the use of cannabis in Morgantown?
"I support decriminalization of cannabis."
Q5. In 2017, Morgantown passed a Non-Discrimination Ordinance to include protections “against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations on account of actual or perceived race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, or veteran status.” The 2023 WV Legislature passed a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that may allow people in Morgantown to cite their religious beliefs as being in conflict with the NDO. How vigorously should Morgantown defend the NDO in light of RFRA? Do you support the passage of local legislation to support marginalized communities in Morgantown protected by the NDO who may be at risk of discrimination under RFRA?
"I support all walks of life very passionate about discrimination of any form. I have and will always fight for equality for everyone. Being a open and out Lesbian I will always have the backs of our LGBTQ family. I have issue with people or businesses that use religion to discriminate."
Q6. The West Virginia Traffic Stop Study, released in 2009 (the last time this data was collected, was conducted through legislative action initiated by the ACLU of West Virginia. The report identified a significant problem with law enforcement using race as a criteria in their suspicion of criminal activity. State-level data showed that compared to white drivers, Black drivers and Hispanic drivers are 1.64 times and 1.48 times more likely to be stopped respectively. Once stopped, they were searched more than twice as frequently when compared to white drivers despite having a lower contraband hit rate. They were also approximately 27% more likely to receive a citation compared to white drivers. The study cited Morgantown as having a particularly high rate of racial disparity in stop and searches. How do you propose Morgantown explore the current state of racial disparities in policing and stops?
"I've been involved in law enforcement on and off throughout my life and currently work at wvu police i have not read the study in my personal experience I have not seen this I have the utmost respect for all first responders that genuinely want to protect and help others."