Yes/No Questions:
1. Are you a homeowner? No.
2. If the City police force was fully staffed, would you advocate for adding more officers? No.
3. Do you believe there’s a need for more housing in Lafayette? Yes.
4. Do you believe the City should spend more money on homelessness services? Yes.
General Questions (no more than 300 words):
1. Why do you want to be a council member? More specifically, why do you want to be mayor?
Lafayette is my hometown and I love working and playing here. I understand from first hand experiences some of the issues our residents face. The last 5 years have been an absolute joy and feel experienced enough to continue our work.
2. When was the last time you paid rent, and where was that?
As a full time teacher, I cannot afford to live in Lafayette. I am lucky enough to live at home with my parents until more affordable options are available. I paid rent while in Boulder while in college from 2013-2017.
3. Boulder County has experienced extreme natural disasters over the last decade, including flooding and wildfire. How do you plan to address these challenges?
The Marshall Fires were devastating to our state and we need to be prepared to handle those situations again. I was proud to support the County’s Wildfire Mitigation Tax Programs, work to maintain our grasslands so as to prevent future spreading, and connect with federal & state agencies to ensure future fires will not be as devastating.
4. How do you think you stand out from other candidates?
I am young, experienced, and sincere. Although I am 28 years old, I have 5+ years of representing our city. I have been heavily involved in Lafayette since I was 13 years old. I teach in Lafayette, my parents have had a business here for 25 years, I serve on many volunteer boards, I know this city very well.
5. What question would you ask a fellow candidate on the ballot?
How many City Council meetings have you attended?
6. What are your solutions for the growing population of people experiencing homelessness?
Lafayette’s library and police do a good job working with our unhoused population but the city could be doing more. We need to create our own Housing and Human Services department, while investing more in our non-profits. We rely on the County and neighboring cities, who are overburdened, too often.
7. What’s your plan for creating more affordable housing in Boulder?
Lafayette has just broken ground on the state’s largest affordable housing complex, Willoughby Corner. I hope to follow our new housing plan to refine our development fees, growth management ordinance, and inquire about new ideas like inclusionary housing and denser developments.
8. How will you address climate change? How do you plan to meet Lafayette’s climate goal of 100% renewable energy by 2023 and an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050?
I hope to continue our great work by partnering with our Sustainability Board and Department to execute on our city wide plans. We were one of the first cities to require 100% electrification of all new buildings, we expanded our 3 cart disposal services, we have xeriscaped our city buildings and we will continue to keep our planet’s needs in mind with any future decision made.
9. What are your goals for transportation and how will you achieve them?
Lafayette has recently finalized our Multimodal Transportation Plan. I hope to execute on this by working with RTD to make our city more bus transit oriented, I hope to bring micro-mobility options to Lafayette, I plan to work with our Parks Department to expand our trails system, and of course work with regional and state partners to make sure we are understanding each other’s development plans.
10. How do you plan to engage non-English speaking constituents?
Lafayette has worked to expand our communications departments specifically, to address this need. We have a population of 19% latino that we would like to expand involvement in city decision making. We have now translated city documents and have provided interpretation services at our meetings. I will continue these efforts and keep spending my free time in our diverse neighborhoods to hear individuals out.
11. How does diversity factor into your policy making?
Lafayette has had the most diverse Council in Boulder County over the last 4 years and I am very proud to be a part of that. Diversity can come in many different ways and our City works to engage all groups when making major decisions like when creating our Comprehensive Plan, adjusting fees, or the introduction of cost saving programs.
12. How will you reach residents who have different lived experiences than you?
Listening, creating more Office Hours, attending events, connecting through mutual friends, and continuing to be open minded and reasonable.
13. Rank your top 5 issues in priority
- Affordable Housing/Cost of Living
- Conservation of Water and protecting our climate
- Intentional growth and balancing commercial vs. residential
- Hiring a new City Manager and working with City Staff
- Continuing growth of free/affordable youth services
