The Monterey City Council will benefit from having a government community engagement professional on the council. I’ve spent my whole career bringing stakeholders together to help solve our city’s more pressing issues. I will bring transparency and inclusivity to city hall, encouraging more people to bring their talents, feedback and concerns to the public process. I want you to feel more informed and involved in issues that affect your neighborhoods and the community at large.

The City of Monterey has business districts with distinct character. As a city commissioner, I know how to review, approve and encourage development that fits with the character of these special places to shop, dine and walk. I’d also like to encourage the preservation and growth of our fishing industry, which is part of Monterey’s heritage. Let’s revitalize our Municipal Wharf II and enjoy what generations have experienced - the unloading of fresh local fish, open seafood markets that circle the wharf and safe pathways with panoramic views and interpretive signage.

Housing affordability affects all of us, and can undermine the economic prosperity and quality of life for the entire city. We need to build new housing, especially in our downtown area close to jobs, schools, multi-modal transportation and services. Opportunity sites also include Garden Road, our Fort Ord property and mixed-use opportunities in other business districts.

It’s time to address the deterioration of our public facilities, especially our public safety facilities, community centers and historic landmarks.

Our water supply crisis is halting our progress to build housing and commercial development, and support residents and local businesses. We must work together regionally to solve one of the most critical and urgent challenges of our time for the sake of economic prosperity, housing supply and future generations.

As a forested and coastal city experiencing the worsening effects of climate change every year, we must continue to implement aggressive wildfire mitigation and hazardous fuel reduction, explore undergrounding of utilities and be prepared for rapidly increasing coastal erosion and storm surges.