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October 15. 2014 6:42PM Ward 4 Q&A: Michael Zarosinski Michael Zarosinski is one of four candidates seeking to represent southeast Medford's Ward 4 Michael Zarosinski If elected, what would be your top priority while in office? I don’t consider myself a single-issue candidate by any stretch, but ... I believe I have a lot to add for the police and fire building improvement problems. I also believe we will (need to) have some representation for the I-5 viaduct study. I believe I’d have a lot to add with that. Do you think recreational marijuana should be legalized? The last time this was on the ballot, Ward 4 residents voted 2 to 1 against that. Obviously as a council member, the overall city’s important, but I am going to represent Ward 4. And I’m very interested in what they think. I don’t know that I’m a huge proponent of legalizing marijuana, but I don’t know that I have extremely strong feelings either way personally. I do agree with the decriminalization portion. To a certain degree there’s a victimless nature to that crime that people do pay too high a price for. (But) I’m not necessarily an advocate. I see a difference in its impact on people who are around it. Should the city continue its ban on medical marijuana dispensaries? I do (support the moratorium). Specifically, the guidelines set down by the state have some issues that need to be resolved. I just look at how we get medicine today; this does not match that in oversight, or quality control or dosing. In that respect it does not come across as an actual delivery of medicine, certainly not to the standard that we get other medicines by. How should the city deal with homeless people who cause problems in the parks? What I think is that the social groups and organizations who are engaged in reaching out to the homeless population do a very good job at that. I think the city of Medford does a very good job at public safety. At this point I think we continue to reach out, but we make our parks safe. I don’t foresee the city being the lead in feeding the homeless, but helping those that have that cause. How would you be different as a leader? My educational and professional background is in services that the city directly provides. I am the most qualified to address public works issues, planning issues, building issues. A lot of what we consider core services I have expertise in, and that makes me different. The other thing that makes me different is, I would say, current volunteer experience with the city. Current governmental experience. It takes a little bit of experience in how these institutions operate to be effective.     MICHAEL ZAROSINSKIAge: 43Education: Master's degree, bridge engineering from University of Surrey, Guildford, UKPrior political experience: Medford Planning Commission, Medford Joint Transportation Sub-committeeWork: Project manager for Adkins Consulting http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20141015/NEWS/141019747 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->