Identify your top three (3) issues that you wish to address during your tenure in office and rank them in order of priority.
These top three issues are the most relevant to One Zone members and the Fishers business community:
Support for HSE Schools’ Educators Fishers owes its growth to strong HSE Schools. However, without full support of our local educators, HSE will not remain our city’s best asset. It is our city government’s duty to prioritize HSE Schools and educators because they are the ones who ensure that all of our students receive the best educational experience possible. This duty requires more than current city partnerships for snow plowing, agripark learning or STEM classrooms. I will lead city government support of HSE Schools with full-throated advocacy and community outreach for the November HSE Schools’ referendum renewal, active work to create affordable housing opportunities for HSE School employees, and clear support of HSE Schools every time a malevolent campaign is unleashed to undermine the well-being of our educators, administrators, or any one of our students.
Support for Small Businesses In the past several years, over 20 long-standing small businesses have left the Fishers downtown Nickel Plate District. In any other community in the state, this exodus would be considered a crisis. Although Fishers has seen large corporations enter our city, this growth has been at the expense of small local businesses. As a self-identified “entrepreneurial” city, a new priority must be extended to small businesses to balance the economy, develop a Shop Local destination, and extend an inclusive entrepreneurial welcome. Specifically, I will lead a new Minority-Women-Veterans Owned priority for city government that encourages this particular business segment, facilitates state certifications and networking, and sets participation goals for city contracts for the first time.
Citizen Engagement with Local Government It is not easy for a citizen to learn about or participate in local government. The city website is messy and citizens struggle with finding documents and information they want. Citizens are locked out of consideration for appointments to city boards and commissions. City decisions are made behind closed doors, far away from the elected officials who would scrutinize and ask good questions. I will lead the charge to make public meetings more accessible, the city website more user-friendly and overall create a good transparent government that citizens can be proud of.
What do you believe is the role of the City Council in our community?
The role of City Council as the local legislative body is to pass ordinances that govern our community and to serve as a checks and balance on the Mayor, the executive branch of government. The City Council is responsible for fiscal oversight. Every year, City Council reviews and votes on the budget prepared by the Mayor. It is City Council’s responsibility to ensure that investments are made in the best interest of all citizens and there is transparency and accountability. City Council passes ordinances and oversees governance that affect citizens’ lives every day. Most importantly, the City Council represents the voice of the people in all matters. I do this by interpreting the City Council agenda items before each meeting for citizens, provide background information and resources, encourage citizen participation in City Council matters, engage with citizens during coffee times, and participate fully in the community so I can hear citizen concerns.
What experiences and qualities do you think makes you the best candidate for this position?
I bring balance to local government, as well as accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility. I have served as a Fishers City Council at-large member since 2020. I was the first Democrat elected by the city. I have tremendous experience collaborating across the aisle - and I have also seen the detrimental practices of one-party rule. I have lived in Fishers for over 20 years and have had two kids graduate from HSE Schools. I am a local business owner and community volunteer. I have graduated from Ball State’s Economic Development course, Community Development course, Fishers City Government Academy and Hamilton County Leadership Academy. In 2021, I was recognized as an Impact Award Honoree, one of the 30 alumni designated in the Hamilton County Leadership Academy’s 30-year history. Most importantly, I love our community and work hard to make it a great place to live - for everyone. I bring balance to local government, as well as accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility. I have served as a Fishers City Council at-large member since 2020. I was the first Democrat elected by the city. I have tremendous experience collaborating across the aisle - and I have also seen the detrimental practices of one-party rule.
I have lived in Fishers for over 20 years and have had two kids graduate from HSE Schools. I am a local business owner and community volunteer. I have graduated from Ball State’s Economic Development course, Community Development course, Fishers City Government Academy and Hamilton County Leadership Academy. In 2021, I was recognized as an Impact Award Honoree, one of the 30 alumni designated in the Hamilton County Leadership Academy’s 30-year history. Most importantly, I love our community and work hard to make it a great place to live - for everyone.
How will you work with OneZone Chamber to ensure a thriving business community?
I am a small business owner and have been a member of OneZone/Fishers Chamber since 2004. I participate in OneZone events and I always value new ways to connect and converse with people in the local business community. I would like to partner with OneZone to create new opportunities for Fishers businesses to learn about and speak into their local government. As a city councilor, I would like to hear from local business owners and employees to determine what the City of Fishers can be doing better to lift up businesses that are currently located here, serving our community. Although OneZone serves both municipalities, I believe that some Fishers-centered networking and engagement events would be very beneficial.