VOTE411 Voter Guide

I feel my qualifications for borough council are a combination of professional and personal experience. I have a background in the medical field providing patient care. This has given me skills in not only problem-solving and collaborating but also in actively listening to others. This is a qualification that cannot be underestimated. I have lived in the borough for 27 years. I raised my children in East Petersburg. I have seen the changes and the growth of the community. It’s important to me to help preserve the things that make East Petersburg special while making sure we remain a desired location for new families and residents.

One pressing issue is maintaining and improving our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces while always being mindful of the budget. Residents have concerns about public safety, responsible development, traffic, and preserving the character of our neighborhoods as the borough grows. Fiscal responsibility and transparency in resource allocation is essential to maintaining the trust between community and borough council. Supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for community engagement need to be ongoing priorities to strengthen our borough both economically and collectively. These interconnected issues require thoughtful, balanced solutions developed in close partnership with residents, businesses, and local organizations.

Borough council meetings are essential to meeting the needs of the community. They ensure that residents have a voice in decisions that impact their lives. The opinion of residents is what drives decisions, so having a dedicated time and place to allow active engagement in discussion can only benefit everyone. Resident engagement in decision-making strengthens the quality of policies and also strengthens the relationship between the council and the community. I realize, though, that not everyone is able to attend the monthly meetings. That’s why there must be opportunities and a means for residents to speak with council members outside of the meetings. My decisions will be influenced by the input and feedback of the community.

With over 3.5 years of experience as a current Council Member, I have a proven track record of working for the residents of East Petersburg. In addition to my role on the Council, I have over 25 years of expertise in non-profit management, finances, business administration, strategic planning, policy development, fund raising, and community relations. These skills have enabled me to navigate complex challenges, build strong partnerships, and develop effective solutions. I am dedicated to using these experience to serve our community, address the issues that matter most to residents, and ensure that East Petersburg thrives for years to come.

As a candidate for Borough Council, I am committed to addressing key issues that directly impact on our community's safety and wellbeing. I recognize that East Petersburg residents are concerned about traffic safety, water safety, policing and noise ordinance. Particularly Traffic Safety - Ensuring our roads are safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike is a top priority. I will work to implement measures that reduce traffic accidents, improve signage, and enhance crosswalks, particularly in high-traffic areas.

I believe its hugely important, especially at the borough level, where decisions directly affect daily life of our residents. Participating in Council meetings raises awareness of local issues that may not be on the council’s radar. Influences priorities where council members are more likely to act on issues that have visible public interest. It builds accountability making it harder for elected officials to ignore concerns when the community is actively involved and strengthens democracy so that Council decisions are more legitimate and representative when people participate.

I served in the Air Force for 23 years, and held a variety of jobs that give me good background knowledge on emergency services. I also hold an MBA, which will help me understand the financial challenges facing our borough.

At the municipal level, the most important issues are generally the day-to-day: roads, trash, utilities, parks, etc. We need to make sure we are providing the best service with available funds and planning for the future. For East Petersburg specifically, traffic safety is the biggest issue. I want to address these issues in a way that is non-partisan and avoids extremist theatrics.

The best decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. It's vital that people come to and participate in council meetings so council members can hear different views on issues.