Issues

I am committed to our community and would like to highlight a few areas where I can bring responsible and sustainable change:

1. Infrastructure: While Ward 2 has experienced rapid growth with new homes, gas stations and oil and gas facilities, our infrastructure  has been neglected.  We lack sufficient police support, often resulting in extended wait times for assistance.
2. Streets: In the eastern part of the ward, the community is surrounded by poorly maintained, two-lane roads without traffic signals. Despite the continuous addition of new homes, we have not addressed the inadequacy of our roadways. This has often created unsafe situations for community members and repeated accidents.  
3. Food Deserts: Residents in the eastern part of the ward must drive over 8 miles to reach a grocery store. This is unacceptable, especially as we continue to add more apartments, condos, townhomes, and single-family homes. The Tower Triangle area is in a  similar situation, and for the large size of Ward 2, we have limited small businesses, grocery,  and restaurant options.  Roof tops are not the only requirement for a thriving community.  
4. Youth: Our large ward does not have a youth center or library for children and teens. We need to ensure our youth are engaged and supported to lower the rising youth violence in the community.  We need common sense gun laws, youth programs and food support to sure a healthy, supported community.  
5. Inclusive Leadership: Our city is a diverse, culturally rich community who should be celebrated, not vilified.  We need to stop the negative, harmful and false narrative perpetuated by current leadership which not only harms our immigrant and refugee community and erodes their feeling of safety and inclusivity but also limits growth in our city.  

While some current council  members have continually moved to silence the community I believe collaboration is essential.

1. Engagement and Listening: As a leader, engaging with and listening to our residents is crucial. Our community deserves to be heard, even when the message is difficult. I am committed to maintaining open communication with all community members with a focus on  Ward 2 residents.
2. Cross-Party Collaboration: Effective leadership also involves collaboration across party lines. While difficult conversations may arise, we must engage constructively and reach agreements that benefit the community we represent.

It's time to change the negative and incorrect national perception of our city. In our ward alone, we have an estimated 70,000 residents who bring a diverse range of languages, religions, and cultural backgrounds. We boast a vibrant arts hub, theaters showcasing local talent, and numerous community events. It's time to highlight the accomplishments of our city and its residents.