elect
Elect 2
telephone
6124315052
When I make a decision, I don't come to it with my mind already made up. I show up, I pay attention, and I wait for the facts - and if new information changes my mind, I say so. In 2024 I lost my council race by 12 votes and kept showing up anyway, at commission meetings, budget sessions, and community events, because that's not a campaign strategy, it's just who I am. Brooklyn Center deserves a council member who treats every vote like it matters to the people living with it. I want to bring that same approach to policy and the levy, where the real decisions happen.
My priorities: public safety, fiscal responsibility, and smart growth. Safety means a fully staffed police department, a 24-hour fire duty crew, and crisis response we actually measure - not just fund. Residents already pay more than most comparable cities - each budget season on the Finance Commission, I ask hard questions about where that money goes. And growth means the right development, not just any development - development that sustains itself and grows our tax base.
I know I don't look like every resident here, and I take that seriously. My job isn't to assume I understand every experience - it's to meet people where they are. I'll keep showing up at community events, stay accessible to residents, and return every email and phone call - not just during election season. Representation isn't something I already have - it's something I keep earning.
Good government is a skill, not a talking point: digging into the documentation, verifying it against the facts, and staying accountable to results, not just intentions. As Finance Commission Vice Chair, I served on the panel that selected our new auditor and helped draft updates to the Purchasing Policy after audits flagged gaps - work now headed to Council for approval. I'll explain my reasoning on every vote and work to be sure accountability is achieved.
elect
Elect 2
telephone
763-260-4366
I worked for the City of Brooklyn Center for 17 years, in various positions ranging from a property code specialist to a certified Crime Prevention Specialist at the police department. My qualifications and experience set me aside from all the other candidates. I understand and know how our city and government functions. I have been a council member for nearly four years and served a four-year term on the charter commission.
My top three priorities are public safety, fiscal responsibility, and smart development. Public safety comes first: our residents, their families, and local businesses all need to feel safe. I will keep pushing to fully fund our public safety departments. Second, I will demand fiscal responsibility, using taxpayer resources wisely to deliver quality core services. Third, I will keep evaluating development proposals that responsibly grow our revenue and give residents the best return.
My 17-year employment for the city of Brooklyn Center as an Inspector, Code Enforcement Officer, Property Code Specialist and as a Certified Crime Prevention employee required me to engage daily with our residents. As a council member I have attended multiple community events, held open office hours and met with countless businesses and residents. I return emails, calls and encourage our residents to get involved.
I have been a staunch advocate of open and transparent government. I encourage resident participation and demand that our city government is open and honest in its business. I was one of the council members who promoted the return to televising our work sessions. Frequently, I will explain how I reach a decision on a vote and announce this ahead of my vote. If reelected, I will continue to practice these core principles.
As a 31-year resident of Brooklyn Center I’ve learned about your concerns, through neighborly conversations, community events, City meetings, news coverage and social media discussions. You’ve taught me that Government of the People, by the People, for the People is about working responsibly, service and humility to support a good life for everyone in BC.
I bring much-needed analytical abilities from the humanities, liberal arts, social sciences and education to Council work. My 40+ years of experience in journalism and mass communications, library and information science, arts education, multi-cultural organizations and interfaith collaborations will help shape Council conversations about how to invest in our People: our true City asset.
Our Council’s essential task: ensure our City operations are fully funded to enable our community to function with the services that support a good life for our People. My priorities: (1) diversify funding sources for the City, including grants, donors and crowdfunding (2) keep life in our City affordable through information about managing costs of life necessities (3) protect our equity, health and environment, including continued opposition to MnDOT’s harmful Hwy 252 / I-94 freeway expansion.
My focus will be inclusion into civic affairs of a broader range of our residents, starting with expanded informational outreach (texts, social media, videos, easy-to-navigate web site with translation features, print materials). I also will support the City’s community engagement work to increase participation in neighborhood meetings (homeowners and renters), Town Hall programs, City events, City Commissions, City Council meetings as well as community organizations and business associations.
I take to heart the duty of Council members to set the highest example of moral principles, integrity, fairness and equity for the People of the City and City Staff. To advance best practices in openness and personal responsibility to ‘do the right thing’, the Code of Respect and Ethics, Business Ethics Policy, City’s Code of Policies, Employee Manual and similar guiding documents for all departments must be updated and professional development on these provided for everyone in City government.
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