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Position/philosophy statement
Leadership rooted in transparency and collaboration while putting people and policy over politics.
Current Occupation
Mayor Town of Harrisburg
Age (optional)
50
The professional tone, decorum and civility that you find today during council meetings and town events is polar opposite to the drama filled, contentious environment that plagued our elected body under previous leadership. Our community should feel welcome, heard and seen. I am the most qualified candidate because my experience is not theoretical, and it is markedly better than my opponent in every measurable category; it is grounded in the day-to-day realities of managing a growing municipality. I have a deep understanding of the town’s operations, its budget, and its long-term strategic plans. My tenure has been marked by a commitment to data-driven decision-making and a collaborative approach that brings all stakeholders to the table.
The common concerns I share and hear from our community are over-development, traffic/infrastructure needs, cost of living and public safety. First, we must proactively manage growth through responsible zoning and land use policies that encourage smart development and preserve our green spaces. We must prioritize transportation projects that ease congestion and improve connectivity, not just for cars but for pedestrians and cyclists as well. We must continue to diversify our tax base and seek alternate funding sources and grants to alleviate the burden shared by our residents. We continue to prioritize recruitment and retention of our public safety, leveraging county partnerships to save taxpayers while ensuring they are adequately funded.
The challenge of balancing rapid growth with preserving our town's unique character is what motivated my initial campaign and continues today. I ran for office four years ago against my opponent because our community deserved to be heard. The uncontrolled growth that took place before, under the ruse “you have to have rooftops to keep taxes low” was flawed and we are still dealing with impacts of those decisions now. We have taken a proactive approach to problems and solutions by not kicking the can down the road, taking on massive debt for someone else to handle like my opponent. Instead, we rolled up our sleeves and worked to address our most pressing issues. I will continue to work with our residents, businesses and community partners.
Investing in Economic Development is something I am very intentional about. We want to diversify our tax base and services offered in the town to include local shopping and entertainment. We must attract entrepreneurs and small businesses that reflect our community's character. The town can support this by creating an environment where small businesses can thrive, offering streamlined permitting processes, and providing resources and mentorship to new business owners. I would like to attract professional services, tech-focused businesses, and small-scale manufacturing that provide high-quality jobs. This requires a proactive approach to economic development, which is underway with a Economic Development Strategic Plan, and our new hire of an Economic Development Director. Harrisburg is an ideal location for businesses that value community and quality of life. Equally as important, it gives our existing businesses a valuable recourse to navigate the complex regulatory environment.
