Antonio A. Asa, Candidate for City Council-7th District

In an effort to educate voters, we will be posting responses to our candidate questionnaire. Questionnaires were emailed to each candidate running for City Council, President of City Council, and Mayor. Candidates have until March 4th to submit. We are publishing results in the order they are received. 

How frequently do you use a mode of transportation other than your car to navigate the city? Based on your experience, where should the city prioritize resources for transportation? 

I walk.  A leg injury does not facilitate bike riding anymore.

What role do you believe biking and walking improvements can play in creating a safer, healthier, more livable Baltimore? 

I believe they both promote healthier citizens.

Often road redesigns that improve the safety for people on bikes or people walking do so in a way that removes priority for single occupant vehicles. This can look like removing lanes for travel or decreasing available street parking. Can you describe how you would manage public expectations during project implementation, and handle any backlash from constituents that don’t share in the City’s vision for complete streets? 

The same method that Leakin Park has should work any place.

Recent audits have discovered that the Department of Transportation struggles to measure key performance indicators. The city’s procurement and project management processes have also faced scrutiny. This has led to significant delays of key improvements to bicycle infrastructure in Baltimore. How will you work to improve performance and accountability of city agencies like the Department of Transportation under your leadership? 

Honestly, I have never given it thought. However, meeting with such groups should produce suggestions which I am certainly open to perform.

The percentage of people choosing to take public transit or ride a bike for transportation is increasing in Baltimore, while the percentage of residents without access to a vehicle is over 30%. How would you rate the city’s current investment in sustainable transportation solutions for its residents, and as a council person what would you do to support increased investment? 

I favor additional shuttle services . Bike lanes which would be safer than riding in the streets.

A recent study by Harvard economists found that the single strongest factor affecting the odds of a child escaping poverty is not the test scores of his or her local schools or the crime in the community; it is the percent of workers in his or her neighborhood who have long commutes. How do you plan to improve transportation options and commute times for our most vulnerable residents? 

Shuttle services seem to be a great concern especially for the elderly.

What other information about your candidacy would you like to share with our members? 

People ask such coined phrases as “What is your platform”?  I do not entertain the idea for one moment that a one size fit all concept can be a solution. Each community and association requires special considerations very much like children. I want to know the interest and concerns of all groups because I work for you.