Brooke Locke

Candidate Name: Brooke Locke

Age: 48

Candidate for [Elected Position]: Ingham County Commission District 15

Candidate Website: n/a

Candidate Contact for Public: 517-489-7393

Are you registered with any party? If so, please share your party affiliation: Democrat

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1. What motivated you to run for the position you are seeking election to? I wanted to see someone fill the seat who was willing to work for and with everyone who could bring people together and show the best of the district in which we serve.  Many times, people look at the Rural area differently and forget about the amazing benefits the rural area has to offer.  It truly fit the message of our campaign we are STRONGER TOGETHER. This is not just a cute slogan its really the way I believe and practice in my everyday life Instead of Focusing on our differences lets find where we agree and move inch by inch forward rather than make no progress at all
2. What is your vision for the public body you want to serve on? The county commission is already moving with bold initiatives to protect our county and environment for the future I want to continue to help our local businesses thrive and promote and support them in every way possible as the Former President of the Williamston Area Chamber of Commerce and Proud Member and business owner I believe celebrating each other and supporting each other business makes us Stronger.  Again, it’s we are STRONGER TOGETHER.
3. How does your vision differ from that of your opponents?  We differ on virtually everything my opponent loves to suggest she supports our business but until her candidacy she rarely been noticed she did not know the business owners, staff etc. to her credit as she has been running, she has made a point to spend more time.

4. Funding for schools has been a consistent concern for nearly three decades. Proposal 1, passed in the 90s was supposed to level the playing field in funding assuring that districts with distressed property values would receive comparable per pupil funding. That has not been the case. If elected, how will you address the underfunding of schools?  Funding for Schools has always been an issue for a variety of reasons and continue to be. I will work with our Administration and school board to support them in anyway possible.   I will not bring or support unwarranted legal action or recalls costing the district or taxpayers additional dollars to support my own agenda.  I will work to make sure every student has the best learning opportunity possible in the safest environment possible for everyone within the scope of what we can do.

1. Has school choice, which allows students and parents to apply for and attend a different school district than the one they live in, been a success? Why or why not?  I think overall this has been a success for the students who have been able to take part in it. Like anything in life when your environment is what you want you tend to thrive and strive for success. So, I think for that reason this has been good.
2. Proposals in Michigan have long sought to use public dollars to pay for private school tuition and costs. Do you support vouchers for private schools? Why or why not?  Here will be the unpopular answer NO I don’t support Vouchers for Private schools and the reason is simple every area provides a public school system and a choice to attend a private school is just that a choice we should not be removing dollars from our public schools to fund a private school in addition Private Schools may or may not have entry requirements or other standards.  Public dollars should not be used in this case. The long and short of it for me a Product of Public Schools is public dollars should be used for Public Schools.
3. If vouchers are approved, public schools may see a decline in enrollment. How would you close the funding gap by a reduction in per pupil funding? I first would not support that as previously stated and two in the event that would happen a new formula would have to be put together to ensure a level playing field for all of our schools.
4. Educators have been under scrutiny over LGBT youth support, LGBT history, the American history of communities of color and more. In addition, school libraries are pulling books off of shelves in public school libraries and public libraries.
1. Please share your perspective as you pertain to providing safe schools and education for LGBT youth.   I am very proud of our School System and the fact that each of them is working hard to make sure our students feel safe and supported. I am very proud of the Williamston Schools and School Board for there unwavering support of our students and their identity. I know the struggles associated with understanding who you are and not being able to live your truth because of people perceptions and I feel our Districts are making great strides for our students and I applaud the effort.
2. Please share your perspective about integrating the history of communities of color into curriculums in the public schools. As an avid History lover, I find that our history is our story.  We can attempt to erase history by not teaching it but the fact is we don’t change the story we only rewrite suppression again.  History is designed for us to learn from our mistakes so we can move forward in a better fashion so what lies ahead is better than where we were before but when we hide or distort the history, we really do nothing but create confusion for our future.
3. Do you support the removal of books some find objectionable from public school shelves and public libraries? Why or why not?   No I do not. 
4. If you support such removals, at what point does the purge of objectionable books stop? When it is the Quran? When it is the Torah? The Nag Hamadi? The Bible? What policies will you put in place to monitor and assess removal of books?
5. If you do not support the removal of objectionable books, what policies will you support to stop the removal of books from public school libraries? I will support any policy that prohibits the removal of books this is a slippery slope so if there is a book you don’t want to read don’t read it but keeping it from those who choose to read is not accpetable.
5. There has been a split on how COVID was responded to by schools, and other government bodies. Please answer the following questions:
1. Did you support the shut down of schools during the COVID-19 crisis? Why or why not?  I supported the Shut Down to keep our children safe as we were dealing with an illness that was killing many people very quickly. I also knew that as we learned, and the science was discovered what was safe we would evolve and get back to what I have always said would be a new normal. Was it hard incredibly did we save lives probably.  Did we have to make decisions with the best information at the time? Yes.
2. There has been a marked loss of educational gain as a result of the shut down. How will you address this problem?  I believe that we will find our stride and close that gain loss for our students over time.  I believe we have many talented educators within in our system working with our Children to make sure that we close that gap and loss of time for our students.  I also believe that the adversity and resilience of our children will be a skill that will serve them well in the future.
3. Did you support face masks? Why or why not?  I am not a scientist or doctor so I followed the recommendation of those who have studied and new more than I could offer. Was it my favorite thing no. Did I do it as I was asked and enforce in my work environment yes.
4. Do you support the COVID-19 vaccine? Why or why not?  I have been a product of vaccine my entire life and my health is important to me and so yes I support the Vaccine I have had my boosters and will continue to support doing what will help us continue to move forward.
5. Do you support vaccination for all students in public schools? Why or why not? Yes.  Simply I want to make sure every student is as safe as possible. We all have different immune systems but if we can prevent someone from getting very ill than its worth it,
6. There has been a growing mental health crisis among our youth. It was present before the pandemic, but experts warn it has gotten worse since the pandemic. If elected, how will you address the mental health needs of our students?  This is a huge issue before, and I agree after as well must invest in mental health services at every level of government to make sure people have the resources they need.  We cannot put our head in the sand we need to be aggressive and make sure our schools have the resources to help students and families.
6. There have been a number of school shootings, with deeply tragic consequences for students, teachers and administrators alike – as well as communities. If elected, what will you do to address the school violence crisis, including school shootings? School shootings are devastating for families and communities we have to address these on many levels but first is to have Mental health staff in schools would be helping to prevent before we get to the point of bringing harm to others, we also have to work with our schools and law enforcement to ensure we are ready in the event of an event that puts of teacher and students in arms way. We need to continue to have discussions and work toward prevention.
7.  
8. Elections have become a serious concern for some voters. Please answer the following questions:
1. If you lose your election, will you accept the results? Why or why not? I believe in the men and women who perform the election process and if I lose, I will accept the results as the will of the people.
2. If your election is close and you chose to pay for a recount, will you accept the result of a recount? Why or why not?  Yes for the same reason as above
3. Much has been made about the 2020 election. Do you believe Donald Trump won the election? Why or why not?  I believe the system worked as it always has and the election was secure and accurately performed by the men and women who oversee our election.
4. Do you believe there was widespread election fraud? Why or why not?   I do not as we have seen after review multiple time now.
5. Do you believe leaders in Washington are involved in a secret pedophilia ring? Why or why not?  No !  I believe it has been anything for a story and to get attention,
6. Do you believe the Jan. 6 Capitol incident was appropriate in light of the election? Why or why not?  I find Jan 6 to be a mark in our history that will never be forgotten I was mortified that day and I continue to be by those who justify those actions.
9. Are you a member, or have you ever been a member or donated to any of the following organizations:
1. Socialist party
2. Rock the Vote
3. The Democratic Party   Have donated
4. Any Democratic Candidate for Office  have donated
5. The Republican Party
6. Any Republican Candidate for Office  IN past elections I have
7. The American Taxpayers Party
8. Any American Taxpayer Party Candidate for Office
9. The Heritage Foundation
10. People for the American Way
11. III Percenters
12. Proud Boys
10. Please share with readers and voters your qualifications for the position you seek.

I have served in the past as the Chair of the Williamston Zoning Board of appeal, I have Served twice as the President of the Williamston Area Chamber of commerce, and I have had a multitude of other volunteer rolls within the City.  I am on the Board of directors of LAAN, as well as served on Committees withing the County.   I find my true calling to a purpose in life is when I am serving others.  As a Realtor with Keller Williams my roll is to serve my clients with buying or selling, they property to make sure it is seamless and with the best possible outcome for everyone.  So really every part of who I am revolves around service.  I always operate on core beliefs across the board not just in business.  Win-Win: or no deal, Integrity: do the right thing, Customers: always come first, Commitment: in all things, Communication: seek first to understand, Creativity: ideas before results, Teamwork: together everyone achieves more (STRONGER TOGETHER) Trust starts with honesty, Equity: opportunities for all, Success: Results through people.

It’s simple beliefs system but a true heart of a servant.  I believe we find the area we agree upon a move forward and sometimes that may be only an inch at a time but better than becoming stagnant and or going backwards.