I care deeply about Columbia Heights and am very passionate about improving the quality of life for our residents. I am honest, reliable, not afraid to make hard decisions, and I do my homework. I enjoy talking to residents, hearing their stories and addressing concerns with the help of staff to address them.
I am a nuts and bolts city council member. I believe in ensuring equity to all residents by making sure their roads are in good shape. That everyone enjoys clean water and sanitary sewer lines work properly. That our police and fire do their best to continue making Columbia Heights safe for all residents. That all our residents are served with the utmost respect by our city staff, and address needs by providing excellent services.
There are many issues we are dealing with from big to small that are important to our city. Three big projects are upcoming are improvements to Central Avenue, redevelopment of the Rainbow site and Medtronic site and the replacement of our Public Works building.
I lived in Seattle for twelve years, a very cosmopolitan city, I met people from all over the world. Columbia Heights is my little Seattle where I continue to enjoy meeting people from all over the world. What I have learned is that my neighbors want to feel welcomed, they want a safe city to live in, to be respected, good schools for their. children, and events/programs that their families can enjoy. I will work hard to continue working to improve our city's services to best meet their needs.
During my time on the council, we have worked hard to bring our antiquated communications systems into the 21st century. With our new city hall, we now have a video system that is reliable. Our new communications department has improved our newsletter and shares city information using a multitude of social medias. Our IT department is working to make our services more accessible online. I will continue to support efforts to ensure transparency and accountability.
I believe I am an excellent candidate for City Council because I am driven, community-focused, and deeply engaged. As a City Planning Commissioner, I am well-versed in the critical issues our rapidly developing city faces and understand the importance of maintaining a strong connection with our community as we move forward. My extensive volunteer work has provided me with valuable insight into the wishes and concerns of our residents. This blend of strategic understanding and grassroots experience positions me to effectively represent our community and help our city thrive.
If elected, my top three priorities will be to ensure Columbia Heights develops equitably by supporting local businesses and providing affordable housing, and sustainably by holding new buildings to strong environmental standards to guide our community into the future. Additionally, I am committed to enhancing community engagement, ensuring all residents feel comfortable and encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues they want the city to prioritize.
My volunteer work with Columbia Heights’ PRIDE Festival, Mayor's Monarch Pledge, and Every Meal at our local schools has connected me with a broad and diverse segment of our community. If elected, I will continue this outreach, encouraging everyone to make their voices heard by bringing concerns to me directly or attending council and planning committee meetings, which play a crucial role in shaping our city's policies.
To build trust as an accountable and transparent leader, it’s crucial to be available and open to everyday discussions with the public. Listening to concerns and acting on them, while bringing these issues forward as a true representative of the community, ensures that people know their voices matter. My goal is to show that what they share with me will be addressed to the best of my ability.
As a teacher, I understand the community's needs, especially in terms of education. My role as a teacher has allowed me to engage with families, students, and colleagues daily, giving me a deep understanding of local issues. As a resident and community member, I invested in the city's future. I know its strengths and challenges and have a personal connection to its success. Advocate for Education and Youth: I understand how education impacts the broader well-being of the community. Collaborative Leadership: In my role as a teacher, I work with diverse groups of people. This experience has given me strong communication and collaboration skills, making me well-equipped to work with other council members, local organizations, and constituents.
My top priorities are education, public safety, and community engagement. I believe that investing in quality education is crucial to shaping a bright future for our community. Ensuring public safety helps create neighborhoods where families feel secure and businesses can thrive. By fostering greater community engagement, we can build stronger connections between residents and local government, ensuring that all voices are heard.
I plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community by fostering open, inclusive dialogue and ensuring that every voice is heard. I will prioritize regular community forums and town halls, I am committed to working collaboratively with community leaders, advocacy groups, and residents from all backgrounds to understand the unique challenges they face and ensure that policies reflect the values and needs of everyone in our city.
I am deeply committed to fostering transparency and accountability in our local government. My first step will be to establish clear and open lines of communication with residents by hosting regular town halls and providing accessible platforms for public input. I will advocate for easily understandable financial reports and ensure that all council meetings and decisions are made available online for community review.
