2023 Candidate Questionnaire on
Environmental Sustainability

City Council Candidate Response:  Rebekah Hatzifotinos
[email protected]

  1. Background
    What would you like Grandview residents to know about your background, as it relates to the environment, climate, and conservation?  If applicable, please describe any relevant educational, career, or service experience you have.

    When in law school I was the president of the Environmental Law Society. I helped organize community clean up events and worked with the school to provide more recycling (this was the early 2000's). Currently, in my position as the owner of Basic Biscuits Kindness & Coffee I make a concerted effort to use biodegradable carryout containers and bags vs single use plastics where I an within my budget.

  2. Position on Climate Change
    Do you believe there is a climate crisis?  If yes, to what extent can and should local government take action to address it?
     
    Yes, of course. While the city of Grandview Heights is small, there are steps we can, should and are taking. Currently Issue 23 is on the ballot to have Grandview use 100% renewable energy for our electric service. We have publicly available composting bins and solar panels are planned as part of the new municipal building.

  3. Issue 23
    For the upcoming November election, Grandview will vote on Issue 23, which, if passed, will bring 100% renewable energy to residences and businesses in our city.  Do you support Issue 23? 

    Yes! I happily support the issue! Anyone can opt-out if they have concerns, but it does seem like it would decrease our electrial rate not increase it!

  4. Reducing carbon emissions
    Beyond Issue 23, what steps, if any, should Grandview Heights take to collectively reduce our carbon emissions?  Some possible questions to address include:  Should the City electrify its vehicle fleet?  Will you commit to advocating to install solar at our municipal building and/or other City sites?
     
    See comment on question #2. We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon emissions. Many of our service buggies are electric (trash and recycling pick up). Police cruisers have been difficult to find on the market but we do look!

  5. Greenspace
    Describe the importance of our community’s parks, greenspace, and tree canopy.  As an elected official, what specific steps would you take, if any, to preserve and/or expand these local assets?  As one example, should the city commit to planting primarily/exclusively native species of trees/plants?  
     
    I am not an expert on the native species issue but would like to know more about it. I am interested in talking to our parks department about how we can further utlize some of our pocket parks to enhance and improve our sustainability.

  6. Transportation
    Describe your views and/or policy positions on transportation in Grandview.  What should the City’s priorities be in this domain?  Please share any specific ideas or proposals related to pedestrian and bicycle routes, public transit, and/or electric vehicle infrastructure.  
     
    Our councilmembers work closely with multi-modal transportation options (cota, CoGo, etc) to ensure these options are available to our residents. When new buildings are contemplated electric vehicle charging stations are always discussed.

  7. Solid Waste
    What are your positions on trash, food waste, recycling, and litter?  Should we expand our composting program to include curbside pickup?  What else, if anything, can Grandview do better in these domains, and what specific policies or programs will you pursue if elected?
     
    Curbside pick up for composting would be great! I would want to make sure we had the staffing availability for this and ensure we have the ability to obtain the proper containers as well.

  8. Single-use Plastics
    To what extent do you believe that single-use plastics, such as food utensils, bags, take-out containers, and straws, are harming the environment?  What can Grandview Heights do, if anything, to reduce the production and distribution of these items?
     
    As mentioned in a previous comment, as a cafe owner I use as many non-single use plastics as I can reasonably afford and I encourage other businesses to do so as well.

  9. Environmental Toxins
    Environmental toxins, such as lead and coal tar, pose significant threats to human health.  What should Grandview’s role be, if any, in mitigating the presence of these toxins in our air, homes, businesses, and waterways?

    You would have to educate me on this particular issue. I understand that coal tar is present in some asphalt products.