Christian E. Mathiesen
Candidate for the Office of Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner.

Q1.  During these challenging economic times, do you view economic diversity and local production as stabilizing factors for our local economy? If so, please provide us with an example of a policy action or decision you will make or promote in the upcoming term that will improve our community’s economic resiliency.

A1.  I do view economic diversity and local production as stabilizing factors for our local economy.  If elected, I will encourage our citizens to patronize locally owned businesses, especially those located in downtown Saratoga Springs.  I will also insist that items and services purchased by city agencies come primarily from locally owned businesses.

Q2.  As our region continues to grow and develop how will you work to maintain a community that has policies and infrastructure that support walking, biking, and public transportation?

A2.  Our city has a number of environmentally friendly policies in our Comprehensive Plan.  Unfortunately, city officials have ignored these and other aspects of our Comprehensive Plan.  I strongly suggest that the city look into walking, biking and public transportation modes of transportation as an environmentally and fiscally sound alternative to such things as building large parking garages.

Q3.  As you know, the State has passed Complete Streets legislation.  With your leadership, what will Saratoga Springs do to comply and promote sustainable transportation?
Would you create bike infrastructure (such as bike lanes and signs) when roads are repaved?
Would you consider adding hybrid vehicles to the municipal vehicle fleet?
Would you promote education about the negative health effects of idling vehicles, buses, and trucks?
Why or why not?

A3.  Yes, bike lanes and shared roadways should be incorporated into our streets in Saratoga Springs wherever feasible. I would consider hybrid vehicles.  Our 2005 Toyota Prius now has 112,000 miles and has yet to present with mechanical problems.  We continue to enjoy fantastic levels of fuel consumption.  Use of such vehicles in the city fleet would save money for the taxpayers and have less of a negative impact on air quality.

Yes, I would strongly promote education about the negative effects of idling cars, buses and trucks.

Q4.  Do you believe that Global Climate Change is real?  Please cite your reasoning with specific examples and give an example of how your belief may or may influence your policy-making decisions.
A4.  Yes, I have long been concerned about Global Climate Change.  It is very real as any high school graduate should know.  The greenhouse effect has been a part of the science curriculum for many years.  Thus, most of us should understand that as the CO2 in our atmosphere reach levels exceeding 350ppm, the overall temperature of our biosphere will rise.  There are so many ramifications of this that will continue to threaten our present and future.

Policy decisions that I would make that would be influenced by my concerns about climate change would include energy conservation for city buildings and vehicles, subsidies for and promotion of energy efficient public transportation, zoning and planning for concentrated growth and conservation of green space (already a well thought out part of our Comprehensive Plan), support and promotion of local farming, and safe pedestrian and bicycle access.