Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Name: Michael Liu
Age: 37
Current job title: Independent Recruiter
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Westminster
Tell us what your No. 1 priority is for this office, should you be elected. (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Serving the community efficiently and dutifully.
What does this department do for citizens? What do you view as its most important role for residents, and why? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
This department manages waste and sewage for all of Westminster and Midway City. It’s incredibly important, as it protects public health and keeps our communities clean.
Your neighbors may not be so familiar with this office on their ballot. How would you promote more general knowledge of the district and the importance of its work? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
A highlight from a recent meeting demonstrates the importance of the work of this office. With the building of a new community where Westminster Mall has been, slated to be completed around 2029-30, there’s a lot of work that will need to be done to service the new housing and shopping coming to that area.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Working with multiple clients as a contractor, as well as in traditional offices, I focus on listening first. Understanding the issue at hand, devising an appropriate response, and following up after the conversation, as well to ensure the communication was clear and expectations are managed.
What will you do to establish trust with your community that you will tackle this job well? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I’d like to bring more transparency to community roles such as this. Perhaps creating a series on YouTube about how waste management is done within our communities, while highlighting what concerns the community has, or what concerns they should have that may not have been brought up before, while I learn more myself.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
“Why Fascists Fear Teachers.”
I think it addresses some of the current issues occurring in our country, and also provides some points as to how individuals are both helping and breaking down our democracy through education.