Issues
Affordable Housing
Edmonds has a critical lack of affordable housing, and many families and individuals of all ages can’t afford to buy or rent a place to live. This includes our teachers, business owners, restaurant and business workers, those who are retired, and many other middle and working class. People who work here, and who want the beauty of Edmonds and the wonderful sense of community, should be able to afford to live here.
We also know that our children and grandchildren are unable to afford housing the way previous generations have. Salaries not kept pace with costs, and there’s just not enough housing supply. We must take action, and to embrace that we are a better community when everyone is safely housed!
It will take a variety of housing solutions to meet the need, along with acting with a sense of urgency to review and update city zoning regulations and establishing partnerships with developers and non-profits to tackle this issue. With my background in corporate and nonprofit sectors, and my experience on County and Municipal Planning Commissions, I can help bring the best people together to deal with these issues.
Supporting Our Businesses and Attracting New Ones
As we’ve come out of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we continue to help our businesses thrive. The health of Edmonds’ economy relies on the success of our business owners, their employees, and customers!
This also means jobs for individuals who want to both work and live here, and it means revenue! As a Council Member I will create and support policies that will attract and retain more employers for our tax base. And with the emergence of light rail near by and more public transportation options, we will continue to be seen as a prime destination in our region!
Growing Public Transportation Responsibly
Light rail is coming to our area as we know, and all additional public transportation options will be a great boost to our economy. These changes will bring more shoppers to our city and reduce both traffic congestion and air pollution, and create more opportunities for our commuters while also being great for our environment.
This is also giving Edmonds a prime opportunity to reshape our city. Let’s envision more community gathering spaces – something that’s so important to many of us. Let’s build on progress being made to make more of our neighborhoods walkable and greener, and also increase the number of places that are great for biking. These things increase the quality of life for all community members, so let’s work together to create welcoming and walkable neighborhoods for our city.
Protecting Our Environment
Because we’re growing so quickly, I will champion taking care of our environment. We can encourage construction that incorporates eco-friendly materials and uses solar panels instead of fossil fuels, for example, and ensures that we control water runoff so that development doesn’t pollute local waters.
I will help lead collaborations within our community as well as with our neighbors about these issues. We can also increase the quality of life in our neighborhoods by creating enhancements like shared gardens and green spaces that not only are good for the environment but that enhance quality of life and highlight our culture and history. There’s a lot of connection with all these priorities – for instance, going green can also help us also build community!
Promoting, Honoring and Celebrating Our Diversity
Edmonds’ diversity is a strength! Our city has taken strides to engage and involve community members in important decisions, and let’s keep moving forward to infuse this within our culture. I will lead and collaborate to update policies and create plans that support and fund these efforts. I want all community members to feel safe and encouraged to share their voices and to be a part of shaping the future of our city.
This means engaging everyone. We need to consistently invite all community members to the table, build and foster trust, and keep everyone in all neighborhoods in the forefront with every decision. This means everyone - from all cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, abilities, and identities.
Ensuring Public Safety of Everyone in Our Community
It’s important that we fund our first responders and ensure adequate training, as well as to have ample professionals on the front lines who can give support to community members who dealing with vulnerabilities, disabilities, mental health issues, substance use disorders, or domestic violence. And for those in our community who are homeless, whether they’re individuals living outside, or who are couch-surfing, or families living in cars, I know first-hand that professionals are instrumental in providing a pathway to housing and help with a variety of needs. This will take partnerships between sectors and municipalities, and I’m prepared to lead these conversations. Community means having empathy and caring for everyone of all ages, and seeing the humanity in us all.