WEMU offered the opportunity for any candidate appearing on a ballot in Washtenaw County in the 2018 general elections to submit a campaign message directly to our audience. Gordon Kangas is running for Ypsilanti Library Board of Trustees as a non-partisan candidate. What follows are the audio and remarks the candidate wanted to share with you.
Ypsilanti has a fantastic library, and I want to make it even better.
Hi, I’m Gordon Kangas and I’m running for a position on the Ypsilanti Library Board of Trustees. Now, if you’re thinking, “What’s that? I’ve never heard of it,” don’t worry; you’re not alone. But the Library Board is important. If you’re a resident of Ypsi, Ypsi Township, or Superior Township, the Board of Trustees speaks for you. The Board decides how the library spends its money, sets its policies, and works with the library staff to establish the library’s own priorities. It’s made up of seven unpaid volunteers who meet regularly to make decisions on your behalf.
I’m running for trustee because I believe the library can change a person’s life for the better. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors are missing out because they don’t realize what the library has to offer to them. That’s why if I’m elected, one of my priorities will be to expand the library’s user base. I’m committed to reaching out to new groups— your groups—listening to the needs of community members like you, and ultimately spreading the word about what the library has to offer.
I’m also running because I believe the library can do more for you and for your neighbors. For many, the library is just another place to pick
up a book. But it is and can be much more than that. If elected, I intend to work with local businesses, schools, and universities to make it easier for people to use the library as a job-training resource. If you’re a young person eager to build skills that will land you a job, the library should be your first stop—a free, easy, and effective route to a wellpaying future. The same goes for those switching careers. It may be that you don’t need to go back to school. The library may have everything you need to start in a new direction. I want to improve the way the library guides you to and through these training resources.
Of course, to do all of this, the library has to last. That means wise planning, prudent spending, and sensible ideas. I’m committed to doing just that. We have a great library. If elected, I’ll work to ensure the next generation can say the same.
And I have what it takes to follow through with these goals. I’m a lifelong resident of the area and I know it well. As an attorney, I know the legal landscape that libraries face and I’m comfortable tackling complex problems. I’m also no stranger to differing opinions. And as a former small-business owner, I know how to read a balance sheet and make sense of the numbers. But more than any of these things, I’m a good listener. And I’m ready to listen to you.
On Tuesday, November 6th, you’ll have a chance to weigh in on the future of the library. Check the box for Gordon Kangas. I’m ready.
To learn more about me and my plan, or to get in touch, visit KangasForTrustee.com. That’s K-A-N-G-A-S for Trustee dot com. See you at the polls.
Gordon@KangasForTrustee.com