​Growth is inevitable, especially as more people move into the Triangle's metropolitan area, and that growth spreads into Wake Forest. We need policies that accommodate the growth that is already taking place, instead of policies that encourage even more urban sprawl and blanket development.  I am against rubber stamping sprawling developments and clear cutting.  Instead, I believe we should ​use the finite resources we have to invest in infrastructure in existing places around our town. Unfortunately, we need to acknowledge that state support has fallen short—especially on road upgrades, and that means we need to invest in improving roads, public buildings, and transportation systems. That also means supporting our local businesses, and making sure they do not get taken over by behemoth corporations. One way to do that is by encouraging mixed use spaces, so that you can walk to your local coffee shop and neighborhood small business.  This allows us to make neighborhoods more complete while investing in the space we have now, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel through urban sprawl.

The economy is not doing well.  Prices are up, unemployment is on the rise, jobs are drying up, and regular people like us are feeling it. A lot of this is beyond on the Town’s control—we cannot control inflation or make tax policy. But the Town still has power, and my goal as Commissioner is to strategically use the powers under the Town’s jurisdiction to support local business and job growth, through policies like mixed use zoning, land covenants, creating entrepreneurial hubs, infrastructural improvements, and permit and licensure rules.  For examples, when developers clear cut and build large swaths of luxury homes, that's great for the developers' bottom line, but not for the people who actually live here. Instead, they should be required to allocate some of that land to small business development, because bigger communities need more jobs. After all, a Walkable Wake Forest is a Town where everyone can afford to live and work, and I want to make that my responsibility.   

We have to face the fact that the economy is not doing well, for reasons beyond our control, but the Board of Commissioners is uniquely positioned to help alleviate some of that burden. I am absolutely against instituting tolls, fees, and other forms of cost shifting onto residents. Moreover, when we rapidly sprawl and expand, the burden shifts onto our residents to foot the bill.  I support balanced investments in our communities and not beyond our means. That means, for example, mixed income housing, requiring that all new developments integrate market-rate and affordable housing options, so that no one gets priced out of Wake Forest.

​I think elected officials should speak less and listen more.  But, unfortunately, we have been seeing a trend towards shutting down citizens' voices, making deals behind closed doors, and antagonizing community groups.  As Commissioner, I will implement training for town staff to create new ways of operating that break down the walls between government and the people. That includes creating regular listening sessions to foster open, respectful dialogue, and put your priorities at the forefront. We should uncomplicate the processes of accessing information about the decisions shaping our community.

I take a multifaceted approach to accessibility based on the philosophy that every part of our Town should be available to all of our residents.  Part of that means disability access. It is good policy, common sense, and fundamental decency to make sure our public areas are wheelchair accessible. And that is equally important for young families--after all, places that are wheelchair accessible are also stroller accessible.  It means extending our Greenway, ensuring our sidewalks are safe and walkable, and connecting our Town's resources to all of our residents. It means accommodating our neighbors who are deaf or visually impaired.  And it also means protecting our Non-Discrimination and ADA Policies. 

Wake Forest needs a Department of Natural Resources. As Commissioner, I will prioritize protecting our green spaces, parks, wildlife, and environment. Sustainability and conservancy are critical to keeping this a place we all want to live. We need to protect our parks and waterways. We live in the Neuse River Basin, and we cannot let developers overdevelop land that could cause pollution and runoff to seep into our water. We have to stop deforestation and clear cutting.  The Board of Commissioners is uniquely positioned to preserve our town and ensure that businesses act responsibly, and we must utilize that role to benefit our neighbors, instead of sacrificing our wellbeing for profit.  We should also be working with community groups, not against them, and bring our citizens into the conservation conversation instead of shutting them out. 

A Walkable Wake Forest is one where everyone and anyone can live and work without fear of being attacked for who they are.  Hate, anger, and division are becoming more commonplace, and that's not okay. I am extremely proud that Wake Forest enacted its Non-Discrimination Policy, which is under threat of being repealed.  As Commissioner, I will uplift and give voice and influence to nonprofit groups. Let's protect and celebrate our cultural differences, like Pride Fest. Let's cultivate a culture where we thank community members, leaders, and volunteers, instead of dehumanizing them, or threatening them with excessive legal waivers, background checks, and litigation. We must acknowledge the increasing atmosphere of animosity and intimidation and stand firmly against it.