Candidate Connection Survey - Ballotpedia

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.  

I want to continue building on Promises Kept. I ran on government transparency, public safety and fiscal responsibility. I have been successful in making Council subcommittees and work sessions transparent by allowing more public comment, and televising our City budget hearing(without any additional taxpayer cost). I have voted to support additional cancer screenings for Chandler Firefighters- which has already saved lives,and supported adding more Police officers, resulting in reduced overtime.I've voted to lower property taxes and pay off the PSPRS debt - all while maintaing a balanced budget that includes infrastructure investment and quality of life amenities for residents. I believe that the City Council is a continuation of community service that has always been part of my life-much of which was in Chandler, including: six years on the ChamberBoard, and a term as Board Chair, Committee Chair of Women in Leadership, Chandler Education Foundation board chair, along with service to many Chandler nonprofits.I want Chandler to be a place our kids can continue to thrive – with strong jobs, great housing, safety at all levels and a quality of life that can’t be beat. I’m running again because I believe I can be instrumental in helping Chandler move forward as our city is at a pivotal point in its growth.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about you and your candidacy? 

1. Housing, a real plan forward. Workforce housing is a nationwide issue,and I have been part of helping Chandler find ways to meet the need. I led an overarching City Housing study, which is now part of the city's upcoming10 year General Plan. This study lets Council's decisions be led by resident and stakeholder input so we have a true understanding of the community needs for all levels of housing product. Additionally, I supported building public housing to help Seniors and Veterans, and remove aging public housing to continue housing availability to those who need it most. Finally,I'm supporting partnering with a nonprofit to create a land trust with city-owned land to help people find a path to ownership in perpetuity

2. Redevelopment is key to Chandler's future success. Just because Chandler is nearly built out does NOT mean we are closed for business. I am advocating for targeted Economic Development outreach to organizations who understand and specialize in redevelopment, along with ensuring the City of Chandler staff has the expertise and training to find creative solutions to developing aging areas. That includes actively removing barriers for businesses by updating City Codes and finding a way to Yes for businesses. I believe there are many areas of the city that could be redeveloped to serve the need of their neighborhood and drive economic success for Chandler.

3. Quality of Life amenities for all ages, interests and abilities. I voted to develop the Mesquite Groves Park that neighbors there were promised 20years ago. It will include cricket, pickleball, a skate park a lake and amphitheater as residents were promised. I supported new Pickleball Courts, Softball fields and a Multigenerational Center at Tumbleweed park,along with accessible playground equipment at parks throughout the city.Finally, I voted for the redevelopment of AJ Chandler Park in Downtown,which will phase out aging infrastructure and is already bringing business to that side of the park. This phase one project maximizes the development with only a third of the original budget

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a small business owner, and former Chandler Chamber of Commerce board chair I am passionate about economic development at all levels. I've already spoken about redevelopment, and the Economic Development division is rightly focused on key major employers, but I also believe Chandler needs to focus and support its small business owners who are the backbone of the community.