Neighborhoods

As state representative for District 97, I am privileged to represent widely diverse constituencies and neighborhoods. Unfortunately, this diversity makes it particularly challenging to maintain great neighborhoods that fully satisfy the needs of all residents.

The best way I know to understand neighborhood concerns is to talk with the people who live there, and see for myself what issues are of greatest concern. I am committed to addressing neighborhood problems on two levels.

First, I believe that I should serve my constituents by being their advocate. This means dealing directly with the city and with community organizations to help improve the quality of life within neighborhoods.  

Second, I will focus on finding  practical solutions to some of the common problems that frustrate our best efforts to keep neighborhoods safe, clean, healthy, and secure. Successful neighborhoods need access to good schools, reliable transportation, adequate infrastructure (including parks and green spaces), basic goods and services and they must make residents feel safe and secure.

l support policies to ensure that all of my neighborhoods are successful neighborhoods.  This includes:

·         Creating the conditions that encourage plenty of good schools.

·         Supporting small businesses and development initiatives that expand local options.

·         Encouraging mass transit expansion, more bike routes, and walkable sidewalks.

·         Ensuring sufficient funding sources for infrastructure needs.

·         Finding creative ways to integrate more green space into areas that are lacking parks or natural spaces.

·         Advancing more accountable and strategic public safety systems.

·         Adding new tools for communities to deal with vacant and abandoned properties, domestic and wild animal problems, and a wide variety of other conditions that make people feel uncomfortable and insecure.

·         Protecting the integrity and viability of historic neighborhoods.

Supporting my neighborhoods means listening to residents, working collaboratively at the neighborhood and local level, and constantly seeking big solutions to the problems that impact people where they live.