To help our community members make informed choices in the upcoming election, we asked candidates running for important local, state, and national seats to participate in our Forum to help you get to know them better. We will share responses as they are submitted. Stay tuned to become acquainted with your local legislative leaders.

Motivated to address the medical needs of our County, Dr. Fran Bruder Melgar is running to represent District 11 on the Kalamazoo County Commission. “As a physician working in a low income clinic, I see how clean air and water and access to affordable housing and to medical and mental health services affect the quality of life of my patients on a daily basis,” said Fran.If elected, a few of Fran’s top priorities include assuring safe drinking water and clean air and addressing issues of public safety and Black Lives Matter. In addition to the policy-focused questions, we found out from Fran that one of her favorite movies is “The Princess Bride,” and the trio of food that she craves is Massaman curry, chocolate, and ice cream.

NAME
Dr. Fran Bruder Melgar

AFFILIATION
Democrat

POSITION SEEKING
Kalamazoo County Commissioner

DISTRICT POSITION REPRESENTS
District 11

EMAIL
vote4fran@gmail.com

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

I am motivated to address the medical needs of our county. As a physician working in a low income clinic, I see how clean air and water and access to affordable housing and to medical and mental health services affect the quality of life of my patients on a daily basis.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ELECTED OFFICE?

• Assuring safe drinking water and clean air.
• Addressing issues of public safety and Black Lives Matter.
• Bringing community leaders together to address systemic racism and supporting our public safety officers with mental health workers who can deescalate situations with people in crisis.
• Preserving/expanding our green space and bike paths.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESTRICTIONS OF THE OFFICE?

The County budget is reviewed and approved by the Commission. Each Commissioner is involved in committees within County government. I will focus my attention on the health impact of the budget proposals and how they affect all county residents.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY IF ELECTED?

In the wake of coronavirus, people are rethinking priorities, lifestyle choices, and what matters to them. Resilience and teamwork will be key to our recovery from this economic downturn. I would support vocational education programs to train workers for a new wave of renewable energy jobs.

FAVORITE CAMPAIGN SONGS

• “Time Of Our Lives” by Chawki.
• “Change the World” by Derek Minor.
• “This Could Change Everything” by Francesca Battistelli.
• “Humble and Kind” by Addison Agen.
• “Fear” by Ben Rector.
• And, songs from the soundtrack of the Greatest Showman: “This Is Me,” “Come Alive,” and “Rewrite the Stars.”

FAVORITE MOVIE GENRE

“The Princess Bride” is a classic; “Swimming With Men,” “National Treasure,” and “The Incredibles.”

FAVORITE BOOK

The “Harry Potter” series; “Lord Willing? Wrestling with God’s Role in My Child’s Death” by Jessica Kelley: “Reaching Out”
by Henri Nouwen.

FAVORITE FOOD

Massaman curry, chocolate, and ice cream.

The General Election will be held on November 3. Dr. Fran Bruder Melgar is seeking this seat as a Democrat.