My Positions

The Valley is the fastest growing place in the state. When I moved here in 1995, there were under 50,000 people living in Mat-Su. Now we are over 100,000 and still climbing. That growth has brought prosperity but also new challenges. I will work to encourage growth and keep the qualities and way of life that draw people to live here including the affordable housing, good schools, and ready access to trails, hunting and the outdoors. 

I‘m a proud supporter of our public schools with two daughters now entering their 10th and 12th year in the district. On the Assembly, I will work to maintain strong schools, and encourage the district to continue to offer a variety of educational opportunities so students can take advantage of and meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

The level of crime has been rising, with the repeated break-ins at our local trails being just one recent visible example. The causes are complicated with drug use and mental health issues playing a role. A mix of solutions is needed that includes effective enforcement and treatment Borough task force is looking at options including adopting police powers and I will look closely at ideas for improving enforcement and the feeling of safety in the borough. 

The borough needs to do a better job of informing and listening to residents on important issues. Current public notices are often vague, hard to understand, and lack clear maps that show the location of proposed actions. Busy residents and business owners deserve to know what their government is doing without having to dig through agendas or decipher nearly hieroglyphic notices. I will be a strong proponent of  increasing public notice, and work to see that notices are clear and easy to understand so residents know about proposals that affect their property values, businesses and livelihoods.

Growing up in a military family, I learned the value of pinching pennies and getting the most out of a dollar. With oil prices low and budgets tight, we will need to make sure we live within our means. As an Assembly member, I will keep a sharp eye on the pocketbook, but also look to the future and not shortchange our future by making decisions that undercut our ability to grow.