Survey Responses - Cody York (D), County Council Candidate

What is your professional experience?

I am currently working as a Social Worker, helping kids and families in tough and urgent situations. My job includes making important decisions, working with courts and community groups, and making sure children are safe, have stable homes, and are healthy, all while following the rules and laws.

What is your public office experience?

have never run for office before

If applicable, please list offices you have run for or held.

N/A

What are the specific skills that you bring to the position for which you are running?

In my current position, I have built strong abilities in handling crises, working with different agencies, keeping records, and communicating clearly. All of this is based on my dedication to providing good public service and achieving real outcomes for families.

What are your top 3 priorities if you are elected?

If I get elected, my three priorities goals are clear and aimed at supporting the people who live in Delaware County.

First, keeping taxes reasonable. The county government should manage its budget wisely, just like families and small businesses do. I will advocate for careful spending, being open about the budget, and making smart financial choices.

Second, maintaining affordability. Families are struggling with everything from housing to daily expenses. Decisions made by the county should make it easier to afford living and working here.

Third, bringing common sense back to local government. This means finding sensible solutions, cutting down on unnecessary rules, making sure people are held responsible, and creating policies that truly benefit residents rather than focusing on political interests.

How do your values motivate your run for office?

My beliefs are based on helping others and being responsible. I think being a leader means taking action when something is going wrong and working to improve it for the people who need it.

I want to support people, especially those who aren't heard. Many times, regular families, older people on a set income, and hard-working residents feel ignored when choices are being made around them. I'm running for office because I believe the government should pay attention to what the people want, not just cater to special groups or red tape.

In the end, I have a straightforward promise: I will listen, fight for the community, and make choices that protect and enhance our neighborhood.

Key Issues

Please share with us your position on a number of issues that are key for Muncie Resists and describe what actions you would take with regard to them. We recognize that some elected positions may not have a direct role in addressing some of these issues, but if you had an opportunity to have an impact, what would you want that to be?

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support the rights of

a. LGBTQ+ individuals?

In my job, I have helped people and families from many different backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ young people and adults, making sure they are treated with honor, fairness, and respect. I think everyone should have the same rights under the law and be able to use public services without being treated unfairly. If chosen for this position, I will back rules that promote fair treatment, guarantee that county services are given equally, and defend all against illegal discrimination.

b. people with disabilities?

Through my job in public service, I have helped people who face physical, developmental, and mental health issues by pushing for them to get the services, support, and safe spaces they need. It is important to have things accessible and to respond quickly to needs. If I become a council member, I will focus on following the laws about disability access, improving connections with service providers, and making sure that county buildings and programs are open to everyone living here.

c. people experiencing poverty?

A big part of my job experience has been about helping families who are having financial problems. I have assisted people in finding places to live, food to eat, medical care, and support from community organizations while dealing with complicated systems. I think that rules and policies should not make things tougher for those who are already having a hard time. If I get elected, I will back smart budgeting that keeps important services safe, encourages chances for improvement, and takes away pointless obstacles that prevent people from being independent.

d. immigrants?

In my job, I have interacted with families from various cultures and countries, and I know how crucial it is to be fair and follow the rules. I think that legal immigrants who obey the law and help our communities should be treated with respect and have the same access to services in the county as everyone else. If I am elected to the council, I will make sure that our local government works within its limits while treating every resident with respect and maintaining their rights under the Constitution.

e. people who are racial or ethnic minorities/minoritized individuals?

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with people from many different races and cultures, always striving to treat everyone fairly. I think it is important for government workers to make sure that the rules are followed in a just way and that everyone in the county can access services. If I get chosen for this role, I will promote openness, responsibility, and equal rights under the law, making sure that everyone in our neighborhood is treated kindly and justly.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support voter access? (This might include your position on vote centers, polling hours, voter IDs, signature matching, the SAVE act, etc.)

I think that voting is a basic right, and my view is straightforward: it should be easier, not harder, for people who can vote to do so.

In my job, I have worked with people who often find it tough to deal with complicated systems. This has shown me how important it is to have clear steps, easy-to-reach locations, and simple rules for people to take part. When there are obstacles, confusion, or unnecessary paperwork, it hurts trust and makes people less likely to get involved.

If I get elected, I would back sensible ideas that make it easier for people to vote while keeping our elections honest. This means having voting places that are easy to get to, reasonable hours that work for families, clear rules that everyone understands, and open processes that build trust with the public. It’s also very important to improve voter education and provide accurate, current information so that all eligible voters know how and where to vote.

Making sure our elections are honest and ensuring that voting is easy for everyone are not goals that fight against each other; they should go together.

In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the power of local and state governments. In what contexts would you support resistance by local officials?

I believe in the proper sharing of power among the national, state, and local governments. When national agencies go beyond what they are allowed to do or create rules that clearly violate the rights of state and local governments, local leaders need to defend their communities.

I support peaceful and organized opposition in these situations, using the legal system, formal statements, collaboration between governments, and nonviolent protests. Any action should follow the law and the Constitution while strongly upholding the authority of local decision-makers.

At the same time, this opposition should be planned and based on true principles, not just political reasons. The primary aim should always be to protect local residents, maintain local authority where it is deserved, and make sure the government stays within its proper boundaries.

In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the constitutional rights of the people. How would you protect and defend our constitutional rights?

The Constitution is mandatory and shouldn’t change based on who is in charge. If federal agencies go beyond their limits and violate the rights of the people, it is up to local and state leaders to act legally and defend those rights.

I would back using every legal means possible, collaborating with state leaders, taking legal action when necessary, making local laws, and speaking out in public to ensure that constitutional rights are honored. Local governments should not allow actions that damage due process, free speech, property rights, or other important freedoms.

At the same time, standing up for constitutional rights must be steady. It shouldn’t rely on politics or who is in power. I am dedicated to following the law, making sure the government operates within its limits, and protecting the rights of the people I represent.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support healthcare access for all?

I think that everyone should have the right to good healthcare that doesn’t cost too much, instead of just a lucky few getting it.

In my job, I have assisted people and families in understanding complicated systems to get the medical help, mental health care, and community support they need. I have witnessed how having limited coverage, expensive prices, and confusing rules can upset families and make it harder for them to heal.

If I get elected, I will back plans that make it easier for people to get care, work better with local healthcare providers, and ensure that county programs are effective and meet people's needs. This means pushing for preventive care and mental health services, along with practical ways to lower costs while keeping a high standard of treatment. Access to healthcare should be reliable, affordable, and focused on the health of the community it serves.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to address affordability of

housing costs?

In my job, I have helped families who are dealing with problems related to housing, such as difficulties with rent and finding the right resources. I have witnessed how increasing housing prices can affect stability, children's happiness, and future opportunities. If I am elected, I will focus on smart budgeting and land-use choices that safeguard property owners while promoting sensible housing ideas. This means removing pointless rules, backing thoughtful development, and making sure the county's policies don’t raise costs for families who work hard.

food costs?

I have directly helped families who struggle to get enough food and linked them to nearby resources and support. I know that increasing food costs really affect how much money families can spend. If I am part of the council, I would work on building stronger connections with local food banks and community groups, making assistance programs better, and encouraging ideas that lower expenses for families instead of raising them with extra fees or taxes.

healthcare costs?

I think having good and affordable healthcare is very important for a healthy community. In my job, I have assisted families in getting medical and mental health help even when they faced money issues. If I get elected, I will back plans that make healthcare pricing clearer, increase access to preventive services and local care, and make sure that decisions made at the county level do not create extra money problems. We should concentrate on real solutions that reduce expenses while keeping high care standards.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support discussion about science, history, and gender as necessary parts of educating children in our schools?

I think a good education relies on a strong base in subjects like science and history. These subjects help students learn to think critically and act responsibly in their communities.

In my job, I have noticed how important education is for the future of kids and their families. I believe in teaching science and history in a way that is appropriate for their age and based on facts. This approach should meet education standards and give students useful information for life. I also feel that parents should be involved in their children's education, and schools should be open about what they teach.

If I get elected, I will support policies that encourage high academic standards, encourage good communication between schools and families, and take a balanced approach that focuses on student learning while also respecting what the community believes. Education should provide students with knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and respect for others, without being influenced by politics.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support public education?

Public education is very important for building strong communities, and I think it needs ongoing, reliable help.

In my job, I've worked a lot with families and noticed how vital schools are, not just for learning, but also for providing security and future opportunities. When schools don’t have enough money, it truly affects students and the whole community.

I support keeping and boosting funding for public schools so they can have what they need to provide a great education. I also think we should look again at rules that take a lot of tax money away from regular public schools. I am committed to making sure that the money from taxpayers focuses on and strengthens the public education system that benefits our kids.

What do you think should be Indiana’s priority in terms of the electrical grid and energy generation sources? What have you done and/or what do you commit to do regarding a clean energy economy?

Indiana’s main focus should be upgrading our old electrical system to make sure it is dependable, strong, and affordable. Having a system that is outdated increases expenses, raises the chances of power failures, and makes it harder for us to meet new energy needs. When we upgrade the grid, we should concentrate on building solid structures, boosting efficiency, and shielding customers from unneeded extra costs.

I think we can find safe, clean, and healthy energy options while keeping prices manageable. Energy policies need to be sensible and fair, promoting new ideas, adding a variety of energy sources, and supporting technologies that enhance reliability without putting too much pressure on families and small businesses.

In my time in public service, I have witnessed how climbing utility bills affect working families. If I am elected, I would advocate for careful supervision of energy choices, openness in setting rates, and funding that modernizes our infrastructure while looking after consumers. We should aim for a clean energy economy in a way that is financially smart, dependable, and focused on the long-term well-being of Indiana families.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to make your specific area of government more transparent to your constituents?

Being open and honest creates trust, and trust is very important for local government to work well.

In my job, I have been in charge of keeping good records, communicating clearly, and making complicated ideas easy to understand for the families I help. I know that people feel better about decisions when they know the reasons behind them.

If I get elected, I promise to regularly share updates with the public, provide clear reasons for my votes and policies, and create easy ways for residents to ask questions and get quick answers. I believe in sharing simple budget reports, holding open meetings, and using technology to make information easy to find. Government should not seem confusing or hidden; it should be clear, responsible, and ready to listen to the people it serves.

Do you have any questions? Is there anything else you would like to share?

I appreciate the opportunity to respond to these questions and engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of our community.

I would emphasize that my approach to public service is grounded in accountability, accessibility, and results. I believe local government should be focused on core responsibilities, protecting taxpayers, strengthening families, and making practical decisions that improve everyday life for its residents.

I welcome continued conversation and thoughtful discussion. Good governance starts with listening, and I am committed to being accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people I hope to serve.