Issues

I have a strong platform, but I want “my” platform to be “YOUR” platform. I want to ask you: Does the reason you moved to Cary still exist today? Is it still charming, family friendly, environmentally sound, and full of opportunities? If you answer, yes, that is great…but if you have any areas of concern, I am the candidate who addresses them and I want to hear from you. I think of you as a customer, not just a voter, and I want to guarantee a complete customer service experience. Unfortunately, customer service and satisfaction has become almost an extinct species in our world today. I want to change that! I have been listening to what you are saying and here are a few issues you want addressed:

As a former consultant to the Town of Cary, I created a framework for a corporate philanthropic support project for affordable housing, so as not to place the burden of this goal at the feet of the taxpayers. I plan to see this project come to fruition as your At-Large representative, thereby ensuring housing for our teachers, first responders, seniors, veterans, and others.

                                                  I am the ONLY candidate who has overseen an affordable housing program.

As the Regional Director of one of the largest non-profits in the Midwest, I worked daily on an affordable housing program. Like Cary, there were Town budget monies and programs that aided this cause. However, I did not just seat the problem solely at the feet of the citizens through taxes and government intervention. I partnered with corporations, individuals, non-profits, churches, and communities to get the goal over the line!

 Feeling safe in the town that you live in is my goal. That is why I have met with Cary public officials on this matter. We need a robust police force, more patrolling (including the speed-racers), thought partnership with other municipalities on best practices, and Town-wide safety education program. I applaud the nationally accredited Cary Police Department, which guards, protects and ensures Cary remains one of the nation’s safest cities.

As an At-Large candidate for Council, many of my constituents express concern over safety. Therefore, I met with Chief of Police Sult and Fire Chief Cooper to discuss these concerns. Both leaders shared positive approaches including preparedness, analyzing operational capabilities, strong training practices, incorporating measurable solutions, augmentation with partner agencies, utilizing integrated system technologies, and hiring six Downtown Park specific officers, so as not to pull resources from the rest of Cary. 

This is an issue near and dear to every voter’s wallet. Let’s keep taxes low while maintaining services we have come to know and love. We keep taxes low by not spending more than we take in, not creating long term debt which has to be serviced in the future beyond today's projected revenue stream, and by being fiscally conservative and not spending taxpayer dollars anywhere that is not necessary or widely supported by our citizenry.

Seniors made Cary what it is today and now it’s our turn to reciprocate by assuring their voices are heard. We must guarantee best efforts towards aging in place. I’ll establish a targeted communication platform for seniors so they can access senior specific aid, such as help paying utilities, and monies toward home improvements, etc. I want low taxes to encourage aging in place for people on fixed incomes. I am a proponent of more senior programs in Cary.  I am also advocating more transportation options across the Town and protective bus shelters. Finally, I am cautious about potential gentrification and the impact it could have on existing senior residences.

I support partnering with the Department of Energy on projects such as AI technology that analyzes landfill materials for possible alternative fuels. TREES -TREES - TREES.  We must protect our tree canopy. I am in favor of more buffers, solar power, recycling, composting, bio-retention areas and rain gardens. To reduce pollution, we need more multimodal transportation. Additional bike lanes, sidewalks, greenways, and improved public transportation options, buses, Zipcars and bike-sharing rentals.    

l am also loving the use of Silva Cell Vaults for pavement tree planting. These cells are placed underground and promote significantly taller tree growth which increases root absorption of stormwater runoff and more. Brilliant!

Like anything else in life, too much is as bad as too little. Some development is certainly needed to provide for a robust economy and jobs for our citizens. The reality is, growth is here. The issue now becomes about infrastructure that ensures our quality of life and Cary’s “IT” factor.
 

Balance equals = 

- Keeping the charm and character of Cary 

- Not draining resources 

- Creating communities that keep Mother Nature in mind 

- Parking lots with permeable pavement, cut curves, planters, etc. to address stormwater runoff 

- Buildings that are energy efficient, solar, with rain gardens and roof gardens 

- Addressing traffic and potholes

- Keeping our hand on the rudder of the silent killer: zoning

Solid Transit options: More bus routes, bus shelters, varied modes, bike lanes, walking paths, greenways, bike rental programs, train possibilities---safe bridges, roads and NO MORE POTHOLES & LESS TRAFFIC HEADACHES!