Identify your top three (3) issues that you wish to address during your tenure in office and rank them in order of priority.
1. Giving the City Council back to the citizens of Carmel I am only accepting donations under $100, my vote won't be bought. I am hoping to create a more direct democracy that gives power back to the citizens of Carmel to ensure that council votes fall in line with their wants and needs. I plan to enact this by leveraging technology, townhalls, and forums with my constituents. I pledge to always be accessible and responsive to the needs of the Southeast District Citizens.
2. Safe, secure, and supportive of our Carmel community I will work to ensure that roads, roundabouts, and trails are safe for ALL users. I want to work with police and fire departments to ensure they have the resources they need to perform their jobs at a high level. I would like to adopt and coordinate events and activities that build a sense of community distinct to the Southeast District, i.e. volunteering opportunities, park and ride carpooling, events and competitions. 3. Development that addresses needs of the community and is responsive to the needs of the planet I will insist that future buildings are green, environmentally friendly, and/or participate in carbon neutral building practices. Our city's growth should be not only innovative, but sustainable. I would like to see Carmel continue growing and maintaining green space to reduce city heat, pollution, and noise.
What do you believe is the role of the City Council in our community?
Overall, the city council plays a critical role in shaping the direction and priorities of Carmel, and to ensure that the needs and concerns of the community are addressed effectively. City Council creates and passes local laws and ordinances that should improve the safety and viability of the community at large. They set and manage the city's budget, decide how to allocate funds for services like police, fire, and public works, and ultimately ensure responsible use of our citizens taxes. The City Council needs to be responsive and prompt in addressing community concerns, citizen requests, and complaints.
What experiences and qualities do you think makes you the best candidate for this position?
Passion for Public Service: Years ago, I left scientific research because I wanted more fulfilling work that provided immediate impact in the lives of others, so I became a teacher. Now I serve schools around the state to give them access to resources and build capacity. I see serving on City Council as just another way to serve the public as I currently do in my professional career Strategic and Innovative Thinking: In my work, I am always trying to anticipate issues, and formulate effective solutions to complex problems. I try to make connections, build efficiencies, reduce redundancies in order to make the most out of the resources we have for schools and students. Ability to Build Coalitions: I believe building coalitions is a key skill for a successful city councilor. They must be able to bring diverse groups of stakeholders together to achieve common objectives. I have done this multiple times, to great success, throughout my career Fiscal Responsibility: City councilors have a responsibility to ensure that public resources are used wisely and efficiently to meet the needs of the community. Leadership: I don’t believe in running away and hiding from problems, we need to face them head-on. A leader needs to lead by example, work hard to meet the needs of their constituents, and stand up for what’s right and what’s truth when the community needs them. In 2022, our schools were under attack with lies and misinformation and our city's leadership was too scared to stand up to their party. That’s not leadership, that’s impotence. Ethical: City councilors must be ethical and act in the best interest of their constituents and community. They must avoid conflicts of interest and act with integrity and transparency at all times. That is why I am limiting campaign contributions to under $100, votes shouldn’t be bought! City councilors that take contributions from developers and then go vote on development, while it may be legal, it's unethical.
How will you work with OneZone Chamber to ensure a thriving business community?
In my career I have collaborated with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indy Chamber, EmployIndy, Ascend, so many other economic development organizations, and businesses like Lilly, Roche, Cummins on STEM education. I believe strongly in economic growth, development and creating a thriving ecosystem for businesses. It is extremely important that Carmel continue to attract and retain talent, that is paramount for long-term success and sustainability.
How can voters connect with you? (email, social media, etc.)