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Get to Know
YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH!
Our local government has an impact on the future of our industry.
BAGI got a glimpse into the life of one of our elected of cials, and here’s what he had to say!
Q: GENERAL STATS YOU’D LIKE TO PROVIDE (E.G., AGE, FAMILY INFO, CAREER INFO, HOW LONG YOU’VE LIVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY, ETC.)
A: I’m 46 years old. I’m the owner of Urban Designs, a downtown hair salon. I’ve done hair for 22 years 20 of those years downtown on Ohio St where I’m located now. I currently live in Willard Park where my spouse and I live.
Q: WHAT “FUN FACT” CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ABOUT YOURSELF?
A: We love living downtown with out 11 chickens, 2 beehives and 2 dogs. Our property is a small urban farm based on sustainable urban agriculture.
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS?
A: I’ve always been involved in politics, but until I ran, it was
mostly behind the scenes. Volunteering for the Party or candidates. My grandmother, Carmen Velasquez, was a civil rights activist for migrant farm workers and she taught us all
to be engaged in social justice struggles. She taught us very early, the saying “Si quieres Paz, lucha por justicia!” If you want peace, ght for justice.
Q: WHAT EXCITING PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES ARE SHAPING UP THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?
A: I’m currently working on a project to record a cooking show to run on public access tv that will help Indy families learn how to cook healthy affordable meals using local celebrities as cooks.
Very exciting.
Q: HOW DOES NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY?
A: New residential development impacts my community on a number of levels. In some areas, this development transforms underutilized space. Adding new home owners helps to stabilize neighborhoods. Investments in homeownership spurs commercial development, which means jobs.
Q: ANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
A: I’m most proud of the work I’ve done in Indy to improve the care and
treatment of animals ordinances and the work I did to help end coal burning power plants in Indy.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE BAGI MEMBERS TO KNOW?
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF SERVING AS A CITY COUNCILOR?
A:
Indianapolisisawonderfullydiversecommunity.Bothculturally and economically. It’s important to keep in mind the importance of diverse housing options, walkability, sustainability and connectivity. As Indy continues to grow, greenspace becomes more and more important. Not every space needs a building on it. New home owners need spaces to connect with neighbors, walk their dogs and generally enjoy their communities outside their homes. Neighborhoods value these things and without them neighbors are more disconnected and they don’t truly thrive as a community.
A: I’m naturally a problem solver. I enjoy working at the level closest to the public to help solve problems and improve the quality of life.
ELECTED OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH: ZACH ADAMSON
City Councilor District 17
Contact Kate Collins today at katec@bagi.com for more information
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