Campaign Phone
2566270966
My experience working with and for people with myriad socioeconomic backgrounds has provided me with a wealth of perspective. I have 11 years teaching in school systems that serve various populations and communities. Currently, I teach physics and chemistry, and I coach cross-country.
I've also been a police officer for multiple agencies for 7 years. My police work has given me an opportunity to see up close, work with, and serve people from backgrounds that may have been much different from my own. Currently, I'm a sergeant for the UNA Police Department.
These professions have provided me with opportunities to approach problems from multiple perspectives. This is an important quality that a city council member must possess.
Over the course of my community outreach, I have personally knocked on over 2,300 doors. I did this to learn more about the opinions and ideas of my neighbors in district 5. In our district, we are blessed to have a minimum amount of criminal activity. However, one public safety concern was brought up multiple times: speeding cars on straight rights-of-way. These streets included Wright Drive, Kingston Drive, and Heathrow Drive, among others.
As a police officer, I have direct experience in communicating the different aspects of these issues with the agencies responsible for addressing them, and I'm more than familiar with possible solutions. I can work directly with partners in public safety to slow these cars down in our area.
As a public schoolteacher and a parent of two children that attend public school, I am able to provide perspective in this area from both in front of and behind the curtain. I have three degrees in education, as well as 10 different certifications.
I know firsthand how difficult it can be to be a schoolteacher these days. whether it's disciplinary issues or funding shortcomings, or anything in-between.
I believe that delegating decisions regarding policy to the board of education is important, especially any policies implemented in the classroom. It's important to ensure that our local school system has access to adequate funding and resources so that they may best serve our students.
I'm not necessarily a proponent of growing the city's footprint. Economically, I'd like to see a concerted effort to develop our infrastructure and economy rather than any attempt to grow them at an accelerated rate. Adding jobs is important, but if we try to become a "big city" too quickly, we're going to begin to exacerbate "big city" problems that we're already currently dealing with to an acute degree. These issues include infrastructure such as our roads, bridges, and other projects deteriorating at a rate that we currently can't seem to keep up with, as well as a burgeoning issue with a homeless population.
Before we can grow much more, I'd like to see a return to servicing the great city we currently have.
I've always been impressed with the community meetings that Kaytrina Simmons, the city council person in district 1, holds regularly. To my knowledge, these types of meetings have never been held in district 5. It's something I'd like to change.
A centrally located venue could be utilized to give all residents in the district an opportunity to be heard. Every single voice in the district matters; we all want to have a city that we can be proud of.
Also, I'd maintain an open-door policy with all residents in district 5. Currently, I can be reached via Facebook. If elected, I'd ensure that every resident of district 5 has unobstructed access to me through my phone number and email.
Improved access starts with education and continues with communication. This can be achieved through the aforementioned community meetings. Many residents aren't sure how to get the ball rolling on addressing some of their grievances. That has to start with me. I have to be available to my neighbors, and I have to be knowledgeable about the processes of addressing their concerns. Whether it's visiting them personally to gain insight on their problem, passing the information on to the appropriate department, or helping to resolve the problem personally, I have to be available, willing, and able to take action when needed.
I am motivated by helping my neighbors, and I'm excited to get to work to do just that.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
