Key Issues
There are many issues and opportunities before us as citizens of Lafayette. I stand by my votes in the City Council this year and I am pleased to discuss them at any time. However, there are a couple of key issues that I am particularly passionate about that I would like to share with you. You can also see some of my other positions in the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Championing Downtown and Our Local Businesses
As a dedicated local small business owner, Chamber Board Member, and City Council Member, I am deeply committed to championing our business community. My firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities of being a local business owner uniquely positions me to help our businesses in a way that keeps Lafayette wonderful. I value the personal connections I've built with many of our town's business owners, and I am driven to ensure the ongoing economic vitality of our city.
My key priorities include:
- Advocating for Local Businesses: I am committed to actively listening and responding to the concerns of our business community, including addressing issues like crime and parking, to foster a supportive and thriving business environment.
- Improving Downtown: As a Board Member of the Park Theater Trust, I am dedicated to reopening the Park Theater and revitalizing the downtown area from Plaza Park to Golden Gate Way, turning it into a vibrant hub for our community.
- Boosting Our Local Businesses: I will support and promote events that draw both locals and visitors to Lafayette, encouraging them to explore, shop, and dine in our city.
- Expanding Green Spaces: I will work to open new parks along Mt. Diablo Blvd and adjacent areas to create welcoming spaces for new downtown residents, enhance community activity, and preserve green spaces across Lafayette.
- Enhancing Business Opportunities: I will explore new opportunities for businesses that complement the evolving landscape of downtown housing, creating a balanced and dynamic community.
- Updating Design Standards: I support updating downtown Objective Design Standards to provide clear guidelines for future developments, ensuring our city grows in a way that respects its character and meets the needs of our community.
Fiscal Sustainability and Transparency
Our city faces a significant budget challenge that requires thoughtful action. We must protect the exceptional services our city government provides on a limited budget and ensure we maintain the high standards our community expects and deserves. As a City Council member, my priorities are focused on securing our financial future while preserving the quality of life in our city:
- Ongoing Budget Review: I will continuously scrutinize our city budget to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiencies, ensuring every dollar is spent wisely.
- Transparency: I am committed to full transparency in all budget-related matters so citizens are fully informed about how their tax dollars are utilized.
- Protecting Essential Services: My top priority is to maintain current service levels, safeguarding the well-being of our residents and the integrity of our community.
- Supporting Measure H: I strongly support Measure H to keep Lafayette safe and strong, ensuring we have the resources needed to address our city's most pressing needs. It is a prudent and responsible measure. See Yes4Lafayette.org for more information.
Fire and Public Safety
Providing fire and public safety is a fundamental responsibility that our community entrusts to its government—a responsibility I deeply respect and take very seriously.
My priorities include:
- Fully Supporting Our Police: I am committed to ensuring that our police department has the necessary funding, resources, and backing to protect and serve our community effectively.
- Advocating for More Effective Laws: I support new laws to protect our businesses and residents from crime and harassment.
- Collaborating across Jurisdictions: I will work closely with ConFire, Moraga-Orinda Fire, and other county and state agencies to enhance our community's safety, ensuring we are well-prepared for any emergency.
- Prioritizing Safe Evacuation and Traffic Management: It is important we always evaluate the impact of city actions on evacuation routes. We need to be open to creative ideas to manage traffic, housing development, and the expansion of biking and pedestrian infrastructure to ensure our streets are safe and accessible for everyone.
- The Home Insurance Crisis: While this is primarily a state and national issue, the city and city leaders can educate the public and provide guidance to residents to get the best insurance coverage possible at a fair price.
Keeping Lafayette “Green”
Preserving our planet and community for future generations is essential. I believe we can improve Lafayette’s efforts in recycling, upcycling, and achieving zero waste while keeping it as seamless as possible. As a City Council Member, I represent Lafayette on the Boards of Marin Clean Energy (MCE) and RecycleSmart (Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority). Through these partnerships, we have the opportunity to not only make Lafayette greener but also improve our quality of life and contribute to global environmental efforts. But this only works if we do it together and listen to voices that have legitimate concerns.
My priorities include:
- Supporting Greener Businesses: While MCE and RecycleSmart offer various programs to help residents adopt green practices, business owners face unique challenges, especially when leasing their spaces. I am focused on expanding support and improving education for businesses to make sustainable choices.
- Promoting Multimodal Transportation: Encouraging safer, more accessible biking and walking options is vital to our city’s sustainability goals and making traffic more manageable. This is especially important with more multi-unit housing coming downtown. E-bikes are an exciting addition to the mix, but we must ensure they are integrated safely and responsibly into our community’s transportation mix.
- Building on Our Green Successes in a Practical Manner: Lafayette has already made strides by banning gas-powered leaf blowers, but there is much more to do. We need to ensure our community understands the best way to recycle and compost today. As new state regulations aimed at combating climate change are introduced, it’s crucial that our city proactively assists businesses and residents in understanding and complying with these changes, making the transition as smooth as possible.