Green Oakwood posed the same six sustainability focused questions to our City Council candidates. We are posting the Questions and Answers weekly, verbatim from our candidates, so you may get to know their knowledge, experience and positions on topics that may be important to you, your family, and our community.
Question #4: How would you engage with community members around sustainability planning?
Answer from Candidate Sam Dorf
Oakwood’s greatest asset is its people. We have residents with expertise and skills critical to helping us develop and assess and ultimately achieve our sustainability goals. I believe we need to leverage our community to be partners in this work. I also believe that we need transparent and accessible structures for citizens to volunteer for boards and committees so that we have knowledgeable and diverse voices at the table. There is a lot of great information on the City’s sustainability page, and I’d like to see future plans and reach sustainability goals outlined on the Oakwood webpage as well. I am fully committed to participatory democracy, making myself available, and holding forums on the sustainability initiatives within a new Oakwood comprehensive plan.
Answer from Candidate Sarena Kelley
Oakwood is at a key transition point, and I see real opportunity for positive change. With a new city manager in place and a fresh review of operations underway, there is a meaningful chance to thoughtfully integrate sustainability into the city’s broader goals. While sustainability hasn’t historically been a major focus in our city conversations, I believe the time is now right to bring it to the forefront—not as a disruption, but as an enhancement to the excellent work the city is already doing to preserve Oakwood’s beauty and livability.
I would work collaboratively with city leadership, residents, and local organizations to:
- Establish a Sustainability Task Force or Advisory Group made up of community members, subject-matter experts, and city staff to help shape a long-term vision and identify practical, Oakwood-appropriate solutions.
- Host city sponsored educational events and public workshops on topics like composting, sustainable home and yard care, window restoration, and native gardening—offering actionable steps that respect both environmental best practices and Oakwood’s historic character.
- Expand outreach through city channels—such as newsletters, signage, social media, and water bills—to share seasonal sustainability tips and highlight resident-led success stories.
- Partner with local institutions like schools, the library, and neighborhood groups to weave sustainability into our community’s culture from a young age.
- Create an online resource hub where residents can access city-approved recommendations for sustainable practices, connect with incentive programs, and track our collective progress.
- Celebrate resident contributions through recognition programs and awards, through the beautification committee, building on the city’s longstanding commitment to appearance, care, and civic pride. I see sustainability not as a separate effort, but as something that can be seamlessly integrated into Oakwood’s identity—protecting our history, improving our quality of life, and setting an example for neighboring communities. With shared goals and open communication, we can make lasting progress together.
Answer from Candidate Leigh Turben
Oakwood has been my home for over 35 years, and I have enjoyed all the benefits of living here. I love Oakwood, and when you love something, you want it to thrive and evolve. The same applies to our planet. It’s future depends on us working together to create a zero-waste community. This effort involves an ongoing process to:
- Understand the importance of sustainability planning;
- Educate ourselves and others—Encourage continuous learning and open discussions about sustainable practices;
- Identify actionable steps that can benefit both our community and the environment;
- Share experiences—Learning from each other we can inspire more participation and application;
- Celebrate our successes—Take pride in our progress, and recognize milestones to keep momentum high.