Previous Offices Held
First time running for office
Top Three Priorities
1. Balance of commercial and residential development, particularly in the Route 1/Portland Road corridor and downtown areas. 2. Residential opportunities supporting all income levels. 3. Traffic safety, including pedestrian, bicycle (both traditional and electric) and vehicular.
Why are you running?
For the past 24 years, I have been an active member of the community while serving on various boards and committees. I have had the opportunity to work closely with staff and other board and committee members developing recommendations and initiatives that were subsequently submitted to the council for consideration for approval. I'm running to represent the interests of Ward 3 in these important council deliberations and in decisions that will affect the Saco community at large.
What is the biggest challenge facing your town/county? The biggest opportunity?
As in many communities in Maine and throughout the country, a significant challenge right now is providing quality housing opportunities for all income levels, while balancing economic development opportunities. The opportunity is to plan for new residential and economic development while instituting sound Smart Growth development standards, such as mixed uses and walkability.
If you could change one thing about how the town/county functions, what would it be and why?
Impact from traffic in areas of Saco is a problem. While there have been some improvements, traffic is an ongoing problem that continues to be difficult to resolve. With increased housing density allowances driven by recent state legislation, managing traffic impacts will become even more challenging. Current discussions concerning new development pressures in the Route 1/Portland Road corridor provide an opportunity to address traffic management in that area.
Do you support more development – i.e. more housing construction and business building in your town/county? Why or why not?
Saco can benefit from both residential and economic development. The key is for this development to be targeted to the areas of Saco that have or can have the infrastructure to support it, and to plan ahead for that growth both in terms of future land use and traffic impacts.