Biographical Information
Campaign Phone
959-492-0397
Education
BA
What is your professional background, and what makes you the most qualified candidate for the Urban County Council in your District?
My professional background lies in the vein of advocacy. My full-time job is with the Kentuckians For The Commonwealth as lead organizer are 43 year old organization is a grassroots organization that deals with injustices across the state of Kentucky.
What do you see as the highest priority issue facing your district, and how will you address it?
My highest priority is housing and public safety. For the past year, learning the position, and how government truly works the unhoused has been a priority and continues to be one.
I am addressing it through Council by in four permanent structures, including a permanent shelter to aid and wrap around services to give dignity back to those who have lost their way due to what ever circumstances that has stem in a homeless situation. I have asked for $9 million to be set aside to assist in housing over 900 Fayette County school children who are living in homelessness. My attention is also toward seniors, and those who are suffering from mobility and mental illness.
A primary purpose of the Urban Service Boundary is to permit new development within Lexington while safeguarding rural areas. As our population increases, this Boundary is continually challenged by the desire for development and the need for housing and public facilities. How would you protect the balance between urban growth and rural protection and preservation?
Green space: In the first district we have a lot of abandon houses in empty lot that can be developed Louisville Kentucky has a great plan that I will be studying for my next term in office. That community has been able to tap into federal money as well as local funding, supported by their US Congressional leader. Our very own US Representative told me that he would like to introduce a piece of legislation centering around homelessness and Recovery. In my opinion, the slow down of the continual urban service boundary needs to happen weed the city Council must look at Infill renovations and development
Many citizens in the region lack private transportation and rely on accessible, reliable, safe, and affordable public transportation. What measures do you support to meet the needs of a growing population in Lexington, Fayette County and adjacent counties that requires public transportation for jobs, medical care, groceries, and other needs?
First, I’d like to continue to partner with Oak Street medical service located in the first district who has transportation for their clients.
Healthy communities require climate resiliency. Bus routes need to run more often reduce rates can be expanded for people who are on snap benefits, section 8 vouchers along with the people with disabilities LFUCG can partner with large employers to incentivize walking, biking and using public transportation, safer communities with safer lanes for such folks, especially around the busiest streets as we continue to adventure into regional partnerships and economic development. Transportation must be a priority.
Crime rates, including violent crime, are increasing in our community. Some cities address youth crime using trauma-informed systems that go beyond incarceration and attend to the core of violence by providing rehabilitation and support that address mental health and trauma-abuse history. How would you work to build and fund such holistic programs?
In my seat for the past year the lack of funding for mental health youth programming and incarceration has been left off the table and out of the budget. I will continue to research data and ask for other partners who are doing the work in our community to be funded. OneLex contracts with partners that are doing the work however, there are so many more nonprofit successful groups that are not funded. Our office is investing in renovating the Robert H Williams cultural center asking for more community centers and for funding program directors to keep it simple go back to the whiteboard go back to the drawing board and look at what was successful in stressful times mental health services Hass to be, one of the number one priorities for our youth dealing with healing and trauma.Impacted people and people who are living with lived experience should head up these efforts
Lack of affordable housing and its connection to poverty, crime, poor physical and mental health, and poor educational outcomes is well-documented. In Lexington, thousands of families pay more than 50% of their income on rent, while others live in substandard housing or are homeless. What measures do you support to address affordable housing in the community?
Affordability. I will try to build relationships with homeowners and people with power for housing. I will continue to take away the stigma of vouchers and I will continue to work on the state level to dismantle bills like house bill 5. Bringing awareness to the city Council with community, putting a face on homelessness that doesn’t look like your typical homeless person such as the 900 children that attend Fayette COUNTY SCHOOLS.
If elected, how will you make it easier for residents to participate in local government?
Use every media social media outlet that I can use
Basic relationship building through tagging doors with information for those who may not have a computer or may not be computer savvy
Use the 15 minute cancel slot to advertise on Lex TV
Always include students who are next leaders to help spread the word. For years as a constituent in the past year advocating for time changes when our council meet, I’ll keep the boots on the ground.