Age: 41
Lives near: South 27th and Rokeby Road
Occupation: Owner, Nebraska Brokerage
Political party: Democrat
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Website:
What sets you apart from the other candidates seeking this office?
I am a multi-faceted candidate with vast experience in business, government and nonprofit work who understands how various entities interact with each other and can be leveraged to create opportunity. I understand the role of the City Council is to craft, introduce, build consensus for and pass legislation to improve our community. I will be a proactive legislator working with Lincoln residents every day to keep Lincoln strong, safe and successful.
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What will you prioritize?
I will prioritize public safety and housing affordability. The hiring of Lincoln’s new police and fire chiefs is critically important in maintaining our safety and continuing the good work done by our first responders. Lincoln's housing affordability is a key component in retaining and attracting residents. As home prices increase, we must do what we can to work with builders to encourage new supply in the market at all price points.
Who do you see as your core constituent and how will you engage with those you represent if elected?
The residents of Lincoln are my core constituents. Community engagement is an intentional process of providing an outlet for citizens to express their views on the issues important to them, listening to stakeholders carefully and encouraging the exchange of ideas in a civil manner. Through this process, it is key to identify shared goals amongst parties, evaluate how those goals relate to the vision of the city leaders and highlight opportunities for collaboration and beneficial outcomes.
How do you think the city should address calls for reformed policing?
I support the Lincoln Police Department and the men and women who keep Lincoln safe. I also support community-based programs that aid those needing social services, mental health assistance, addiction recovery and other resources. Decreasing funding for the Lincoln Police Department is not the answer. Our community works best when we work together and we need to commit funds to additional community partners to further address our public safety needs.
Do you support issuing bonds to finance a new central library that would replace the Bennett Martin Library on the old Pershing Center block? Why or why not?
Lincoln voters will decide this issue; however, I support a new central library. Bennett Martin Public Library is no longer representative of our city and has served its purpose well for over 60 years. While the role of the library has changed given new technology, its primary functions of providing access to information and educational opportunities for our children remain vital.
What policies or approaches should the city adopt to increase housing affordability?
Housing affordability is a key component in keeping Lincoln successful and attractive. I support a comprehensive review of zoning codes in order to lower housing costs. We need to investigate minimum lot sizes, widths and setback requirements, higher density and building heights for apartments in new growth areas, reduction or elimination of parking requirements and new density bonus proposals for alternative housing types.
A petition drive in 2012 blocked implementation of the Fairness Ordinance, meant to stop discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing, employment and public accommodation. Should the City Council repeal the Fairness Ordinance or put it on the ballot for a citywide vote?
I support the Fairness Ordinance as I agree with the Lincoln, Omaha and Nebraska Chambers of Commerce that LGBTQ inclusivity is important for growing our economy. The Bostock v. Clayton County decision by the U.S. Supreme Court recently addressed some of the issues at hand. We must continue to be thoughtful as to how to proceed with the Fairness Ordinance as misinformation is often used to defeat such measures and currently local advocacy efforts have focused on state legislation.
Has the city done enough to fund street repairs? If not, what approach would you propose to get more road improvements done?
While Lincoln voters approved the quarter-cent sales tax to finance additional street infrastructure, there are still opportunities to improve street funding. I support using a portion of the new gambling revenue for dedicated street work when we are fully recovered from the financial impacts of the pandemic. In new growth areas, alternative road standards and designs could lower costs, help keep streets up to pace with the needs of our expanding housing market and allow for more road improvements.
Do you support the mayor’s Climate Action Plan? Why or why not?
I voted to support the Climate Action Plan because increased carbon dioxide concentrations are harmful. I do have affordability concerns regarding implementing components of the plan; however, I believe over the implementation cycle costs will be reduced as innovation grows and markets expand. The goal of reducing emissions 80% by 2050 and increasing resiliency to the impacts of climate change are a step in the right direction for Lincoln.
With the city considering ways it can protect against future Salt Creek floods, what efforts would you support?
The threat to lives and property near Salt Creek is a serious concern. I support both structural floodplain management measures such as current levee maintenance and increased dam construction as well as nonstructural measures such as open space preservation and incentives for cluster subdivisions. It is critically important to note Lincoln will need strong community partners and assistance to tackle this issue, especially with the Lower Platte South NRD, FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.