Campaign Phone
309-391-8947
I am running for city council because I saw a need to serve my community in a new way. I’ve always been involved in non-profit work and have always been called to serve. I was born and raised in Bloomington, and I feel I have a vested interest in making our city a place we can be proud of. When the Ward 1 seat opened up, I stepped up to try to be a positive voice for the ward and to make sure we had someone who cared about residents. In the last two years on council, I think I have put in a lot of work to understand the complexity of running a city and being someone the community can trust to make decisions that will do a greater good for Bloomington. I think I have more to give and more to contribute to our city, so I’m seeking a new term.
I want us to continue to move forward with strategic projects from the Streetscape plan to keep downtown an attractive and desirable place to bring a business. I want to work with the business community to continue its focus to attract and retain a dynamic workforce. Because it’s extremely expensive to live in our community, it’s hard for recent graduates to afford to live here. We have to find ways to keep young talent from leaving the community. Addressing housing costs is not going to be a quick or easy fix, so we have to figure out other ways for people to want to stay. We should keep pushing forward transportation and quality of life improvements that help drive a vibrant economy.
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The issue I hear over and over from residents is that they want safe water, reliable water infrastructure, and decent roads. It’s important to have a capable and strong water and public works department. I think we have some great leaders there and trust the meticulous work they put in for all of us. I also think we have some really talented and dedicated first responders. We can’t take for granted the back-breaking work they do for our safety. Funding and staffing fire and police at appropriate levels is critical city service. I’m very encouraged by the process improvement work the city is undertaking, which will help the city find the strategic ways to incorporate a digital transformation and keep basic services strong.
In my two years on council, I have made an effort to always listen to anyone who reached out to me and honestly try to address their concerns. I may not have always solved their issues or fixed what was going on, but I tried to be someone they could trust to look into an issue and ask questions.
We have some great department heads and leaders helping shape a positive culture at the City, so continuing that positive movement will be helpful. I think we could do a better job making sure we are listening to our current employees to understand what they value about working at the City. Additionally, we have to take actionable steps to increase the amount of money we are putting in the pension funds for fire, police, and other public employees. Paying the minimum is not going to cut it long-term. While it will be difficult to solve the housing shortage on our own, we have to be realistic about how people can (and cannot) afford to live in our community. It will be difficult to attract and retain top talent if they can’t afford rent.
Campaign Phone
3095312182
I am running out of a sense of duty to represent the people of my ward and all of Bloomington, to be an open ear to hear their issues and concerns, and to ensure those concerns are voiced to the city council and that they are addressed. My young family is growing up in Bloomington and I want to be involved with the future of Bloomington for their and all residents’ sake.
The already-approved Streetscape rendering is truly stunning. A beautiful city is something everyone desires, and this project is a significant step toward that vision. By enhancing the downtown area, it will encourage new foot traffic to local businesses, providing a positive boost to the local economy. I will collaborate with local business groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce and business owners, to strengthen partnerships between the city and the private sector, fostering economic growth and business development. Additionally, I will work to identify hurdles for developers and will look for ways to remove those hurdles to make it easier for businesses to start, grow, and thrive in our community.
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Infrastructure is the foundation of a strong community. We must focus on maintaining our roads, sidewalks, and curbs while strategically planning and budgeting for future improvements. Ensuring the strength of our Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services is vital to public safety. At the same time, leveraging modern technology and digital tools will enhance efficiency, improve city services, and support a more connected and resilient Bloomington.
We can rebuild trust in government through transparency, accountability, and active community engagement. This means clear communication, open decision-making, and encouraging public participation in policy discussions. Strengthening ethics policies, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and addressing residents' concerns directly help build confidence. By consistently following through on commitments and prioritizing the community’s needs, we can restore and maintain public trust.
We should explore innovative recruitment strategies to encourage local young people to pursue careers with the city. Partnering with local high schools, colleges, and fitness centers can help generate interest in these opportunities. Utilizing social media marketing can showcase these careers in a fresh and engaging way, making them more appealing to the next generation. Additionally, we must regularly assess private sector salary trends to ensure our compensation remains competitive and attracts and retains top talent.
