ISSUES

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     Community engagement is critical to solving our most pressing issues. Milwaukie is known as an inclusive city that takes equity seriously, which is why we voted to fund equity as a permanent part of our city's fabric. As Councilor, I advocated to have Equity Impacts added to our staff reports in order to provide current and future Council members the opportunity to learn about the impacts of their policy from an equity perspective. 

    We must become better listeners and hear the voices of our BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ Community in order to learn and understand the difficulties they have faced so we can all help create a more equitable & welcoming society for us and our future generations to live in. As Councilor, I'll continue to work towards making Milwaukie an entirely equitable, delightfully livable, and completely sustainable city for all who call it home. 

     Every hard-working Milwaukian should have an affordable place to call home. A place that doesn't consume a large portion of their monthly income which in turn allows individuals & families to spend their hard-earned money on other necessities. It will allow people to get ahead. 

Incentives for cheaper development along with bringing 3D Printed housing technology to our city will provide not only an affordable option for people but also an affordable pathway to homeownership. With the increase in our homeless population, this technology can lead to providing a safe & steady place to call home, allowing them to work towards getting back on their feet.

    All of this leads to a greater quality of life and a prosperous local economy. This can be accomplished responsibly, without displacement, and without threatening the "look & feel" that we've all come to love about our existing neighborhoods. By working with community members, leaders, landlords & renters, we will reach our housing goals.

     Our City prides itself on being bike & pedestrian friendly. The SAFE program continues to create sidewalks, access ramps, and crossings while being respectful to our surrounding trees. Additionally, the repair & repaving of our roads is critical to ensure safer conditions for all who use them. 

     As Councilor, I supported increased investments in our bike & pedestrian infrastructure and helped the 29th Ave Greenway Project move forward after nearly a decade of no development. I'll continue to focus on expanding our Greenways while building a more connective bike infrastructure to ensure multiple modes of transportation have access to the services and amenities they need. 

     The importance of these improvements can't be understated as it has provided safer routes to schools across the city. More can also be done to reduce the amount of speeding cars that drive down our neighborhood streets. Now is especially critical, as more of us are home with family and loved ones who are often outside enjoying the weather on walks or playing. 

     Climate change is real and it's happening right before our eyes. We can see it in the hotter-than-normal days, lower-than-expected rainfall, worsening air quality, and annual wildfires. Those are just a few of the consequences of inaction. Thankfully, our former Mayor and City Councilors took action in reducing Milwaukie's carbon footprint by implementing the Milwaukie Climate Action Plan. 

     This bold and ambitious plan makes our City carbon neutral by 2045 through City-led initiatives, clean energy partnerships, and commercial/residential incentives to name a few. It will also take initiative from community members to help close the gap between what policies accomplish and remaining CO2 emissions.

     We also need to focus on expanding our electrical infrastructure throughout the city. This will enable us to install more charging stations for electric vehicles, provide an e-bike program, and serve as a driving force in bringing greener, better paying jobs to Milwaukie.

     As a former small business owner, I understand the risks involved with opening a business and the stress that comes with it. That's why it's important to know you have the support of your City Council behind you. Inflation and corporate greed have brought additional challenges to our small business and industrial community which amplifies the reason for measures to protect businesses from evictions, skyrocketing rents, and severe financial strain. 

     As Councilor, I voted to support Economic Development Grants for business owners that are available to businesses city-wide and voted in favor of Neighborhood Hubs . We've also recently seen a resurgence in the Milwaukie Marketplace, bringing new goods & services that help create a more vibrant, accessible city.

     At the same time, we need to ensure the city is providing opportunities for new businesses & green industries to bring good paying jobs and apprenticeships that will not only help us accomplish our goals but will also provide living wages to Milwaukians.

     We live in a City that has been recognized nationally for its budget practices by the Government Finance Officers Association of the US & Canada. This prestigious award represents the hard work and dedication of employees in the City Budget Office. Budgeting is not an easy task and requires those involved to be meticulous when reviewing the 300+ page document. 

     Many considerations are discussed in a budget that affect individuals, families, and small businesses & industries alike. Accountability and attention to detail are a must, while also having a creative mind to find new ways other than taxes & fees to fund projects and services that benefit our communities, small businesses, and City as a whole.