Answers to the League of Women Voters’ Candidate Questionnaire
The following are my responses to the questions posed by the League of Women Voters in their candidate questionnaire. The answers are reproduced in their entirety on this page; the original source of this information can be found here.
1. How would you evaluate your city’s current efforts to increase the amount of affordable housing? Are there additional steps the city should take to address this issue?
We have a number of tools available to tackle our critical shortage of affordable places to live; now it’s time for us to put them to use. In 2024 we added a staff member in our Economic Development department dedicated to housing initiatives. We also have more than $9 million in our affordable housing fund. I’d like to see us partner with a nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable owner-occupied housing that provides long-term stability and wealth. For new developments that get city financial support, I support requiring developers to include a percentage of affordable units based on the area’s median income. We should also explore expanding programs to help those on fixed incomes make improvements to stay in their homes.
2. How should your city balance the need for development with other concerns, such as public safety, traffic, historic preservation, and conservation of natural areas?
Projections show Dane County will add 200,000 residents by 2050; let’s make that growth work for current and future residents. We have an opportunity to diversify our housing stock and encourage neighborhood businesses so that picking up milk or coffee can be a short walk away rather than a drive across town. In targeted places like Uptown, we can build taller to solidify our tax base and ensure we have funding for public safety and other services; after all, a mile of street costs the same to pave and plow whether 2 people or 200 live on it. These denser areas are then easier to serve with transit and help keep more farmland intact. Elsewhere, we can encourage smaller scale development in a way that respects the area’s rural character.
3. Is there another compelling issue on which, if elected, you think you can make a difference?
As I’ve been knocking on doors across District 3, I’ve talked with people who aren’t aware of all that’s happening in our community and those who feel their voices aren’t being heard. I spent the better part of a decade as a journalist breaking down the complex world of local government and truly listening when community members said what was happening at City Hall wasn’t working for them. I believe we can work intentionally to find more acceptable solutions that balance our city’s many needs. If given the honor of serving District 3 on the Common Council, I will use every tool at my disposal to keep you informed and provide spaces for you to share your thoughts.
4. Describe your specific experience (educational, occupational, civic, and community) that prepares you to effectively address your priorities. Cite an example of how you worked productively on an issue as an involved citizen or elected official.
Whether in my role on the Transportation and Transit Commission, as the secretary of my condo board, or in everyday interactions, I prioritize listening to and talking with people – not at them – because being a leader requires building relationships and understanding different perspectives. I’ve seen some of the challenges we face firsthand – especially finding affordable housing – and I’ve worked to find solutions. When a fellow bus rider shared concerns about multiple cancellations this fall, I raised the issue with city staff to get answers from Metro Transit. I’ve advocated for safety improvements like painting unmarked pedestrian crossings along East Cheryl Parkway in Swan Creek (set to happen this spring). As the city considers taking more steps to increase safety on our streets, I’ve encouraged an approach that allows us to achieve our goals without alienating those with different priorities. On my condo board, I’ve improved communication and advocated for greater transparency.
