Q & A
Why place your trust in me?
As a Democrat with an independent perspective, I hold the values we expect from those who serve. Ahead of us are many important decisions with long-term consequences and the community has a right to provide input on all the matters that impact their lives and pocketbooks. The current elected officials are not welcoming to residents who express their opinions and concerns. We need to embrace community participation, not disregard or dismiss it. We need a Town Council who will listen to all of us, not just some of us. We rely on the Town Council to see through the rhetoric and make the right decisions.
I am an honest, straightforward voice who will advocate for our community and pay close attention to the local issues that impact us: responsible growth, housing that is affordable, and mindful spending of our tax dollars.
2020-2022 Focus
Housing that is affordable
The importance of affordable housing only seems to be discussed by our elected officials during election season. For example, more than two years ago, the Town Council hired a consultant, at a cost of $100,000, to come up with ways to address the affordable housing needs of the community with changes to the zoning ordinance for inclusionary zoning and multi-household development. Fast forward two years to this election and no changes have been adopted.
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I will advocate to ensure this critical item moves forward in a meaningful way.
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Responsible growth
Our comprehensive plan is the guiding policy document for the future of the town and every zone change is prefaced on being in compliance with the comprehensive plan. An update to the plan began in January 2017 but remains unadopted and still in draft form in 2020. We see new subdivisions and commercial properties being developed and we hear over and over that we do not want to look like Warwick with Route 2 but we do need the most bang for the buck (ie revenue) from development. Responsible, thoughtful projects can help grow the town’s tax base and still preserve the small town charm and feel we love.
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Mindful spending
The town’s municipal needs are often overlooked in the debate over the affordability and necessity of renovations to our school facilities. Every additional dollar the town spends on school renovations is one less dollar that can/will be spent on other municipal priorities, and it is the responsibility of the Town Council to make decisions for all of the community.
The Town Council must be truly transparent, seizing every opportunity to educate the town and its residents and taxpayers on both the process and the impact of each decision made. Although the voting majority determines who serves, once elected the duty of our Council members is to have the best interest of ALL citizens, not just those who are the most vocal. We place our trust in them to act for our collective benefit. As a member of the Town Council, I will do my homework and ask the questions we all want the answers to and will always vote with the whole community in mind.
What else would I like you to know about my views?
2020 has been a challenge for all of us, to put it mildly. Keeping up on local issues has been especially difficult…we don’t stop to talk with our neighbors at the grocery store to share the latest town happenings, so it’s more important than ever that we have elected officials who keep us informed and represent our best interests. The Town Council members need to be engaged themselves and have the pulse of the community.
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Our community values our schools, vibrant businesses, open space and recreation facilities, not to mention natural attractions like our coastline and beaches. I know that a decision made in a vacuum on one issue, without consideration of its impact on the whole, has lasting consequences for our community. I thank you for your support and know that our voices now have a seat at the table.