Stephen Brand

Criminal Justice / Public Safety As a staunch supporter of law enforcement, I am dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of Delaware County and the City of Muncie. I will advocate for appropriate funding and resources for law enforcement agencies at both the county and city levels, recognizing their crucial role in maintaining public safety and upholding the law. This support extends to ensuring that the Delaware County Prosecutor's office is adequately funded and equipped to effectively prosecute crimes and support victims. Criminal Justice / Public Safety I understand that supporting law enforcement is not just about funding, but also about backing programs that address underlying social issues, provide rehabilitation opportunities, and foster a collaborative relationship between law enforcement, the judiciary, and the community. This approach reflects my vision of a safe, secure, and thriving Delaware County, where law enforcement and community programs work hand in hand for the betterment of all residents. Infrastructure / Transportation Safety Improvements: Implementing measures to enhance road safety, such as better signage, improved lighting, traffic calming measures (like speed bumps), and pedestrian crossings. Infrastructure / Transportation Road Maintenance and Repairs: Regular maintenance schedules for existing roads, including pothole repairs, resurfacing, and upgrading road materials for longer life and better performance. Infrastructure / Transportation Smart Urban Planning: Implementing smart city concepts and infrastructure improvements to make our county more livable, efficient, and attractive for businesses and residents. Infrastructure / Transportation Bridge Construction and Maintenance: Ensuring that bridges are safe and well-maintained, including regular inspections and repairs, as well as constructing new bridges where necessary. Infrastructure / Transportation Expansion and Upgrading: Expanding road networks to accommodate growing traffic, and upgrading roads to handle higher capacities, including widening lanes, adding turn lanes, or constructing new roadways. Infrastructure / Transportation Public Consultation and Communication: Engaging with the community and stakeholders in the planning process to gather feedback and ensure that the road plan meets the needs of all residents. Infrastructure / Transportation Drainage and Infrastructure Resilience: Improving road drainage systems to prevent flooding and water damage, and ensuring roads are resilient to extreme weather conditions and climate change impacts. Economy Developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Plan: Crafting a plan that addresses the specific needs and opportunities of Delaware County and Muncie, focusing on areas such as job creation, infrastructure improvement, and investment attraction. Economy Global Competitiveness: Enhancing the ability of local businesses to compete in the global market through improved infrastructure, trade opportunities, and access to larger markets. Economy Adoption of New Technologies: Integrating advanced technologies such as digital tools, data analytics, and automation to improve efficiency and productivity in various sectors of the economy. Economy Inclusive Growth: Ensuring that the benefits of economic development are distributed widely across different demographics and communities, reducing inequality and improving quality of life for all residents. Economy Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Encouraging the creation of new businesses and supporting innovative startups, often through incubators, accelerators, and access to venture capital. Economy Collaborating with Local Businesses and Educational Institutions: Working closely with local businesses, universities, and schools to identify and address economic and developmental needs, and to harness local expertise and resources. Economy Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between government, private sector, and educational institutions to drive economic growth. Government Reform Establishing Regular Forums: Organizing frequent meetings and forums where city and county leaders, residents, business owners, and other stakeholders can voice their concerns, offer suggestions, and stay informed about ongoing projects and initiatives. Government Reform Creating Advisory Committees: Forming committees consisting of residents, experts, and stakeholders to provide input on various development projects and policies. Government Reform Enhancing Digital Communication Platforms: Utilizing websites, social media, and other digital tools to disseminate information effectively, gather feedback, and engage with the community in real-time. Taxes / Budget Funding and Budget Management: Ensuring efficient use of funds, exploring various financing options, and transparent budgeting for road projects. Education Workforce Development: Investing in education and training programs to build a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of a modern economy, including retraining workers for emerging industries.This also includes working with high schools and Ball State to keep our students here.