PLATFORM
Grounded in community. Guided by common sense. Getting things done.
CORE PRINCIPLES, REAL PLANS
Transparency, Efficiency & Respectful Governance
Leadership isn’t about hiding behind closed doors — it’s about being accountable, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve proven I’ll ask the hard questions and take the heat, because the people of Salida deserve nothing less.
-
Fought for Sunshine Law compliance and public access to meeting recordings
-
Removed from the CHA Board for pressing accountability — and kept showing up anyway
-
Support respectful dialogue and reinstating the civility invocation
-
Push for clear agendas, open data, and decisions made with the community — not behind closed doors
Smart Growth & Reliable Transit
Growth should build us up, not push us out. And leaders should face tough choices instead of kicking the can down the road.
-
Advocate for gentle density and mixed-use development near transit
-
Expand transit options to ease parking, support seniors, and connect workers
-
Demand climate-resilient planning for water, fire, and long-term sustainability
-
Back the city’s climate and sustainability plans with real follow-through, not lip service
Housing That Serves Our Community
The real question is: will the people who are Salida still be able to live here? I didn’t just talk about affordability — I took stands, fought the tough fights, and delivered results.
-
Took a clear position on the STR tax when others stayed quiet — and helped pass it to fund housing for workers, families, and seniors
-
Pushed for Proposition 123 even when insiders resisted — securing more state housing dollars for Chaffee County than any other county in Colorado
-
Championed projects like South Ark Neighborhood, Artspace, and the new Senior Center with Memory Care
-
Keep fighting to make sure “affordable housing” actually means housing that serves the people who live and work here
-
Protect renters by strengthening tenant safeguards and preventing displacement
-
Ensure every project leverages outside funding so local dollars go further
-
Prioritize housing that meets the needs of families, seniors, and the workforce — not just developers’ bottom lines
Financial Stewardship with Common Sense
Every tax dollar is community money, and leaders should treat it that way. I’ve shown I’ll fight waste, demand accountability, and make sure funding actually improves life for Salidans.
-
Prioritize essential services like road repair, emergency response, housing, and childcare.
-
Advocate for lean, efficient budgeting processes rooted in transparency, public input, and clear priorities.
-
Support matching grants, public-private partnerships, and long-range planning that maximize community benefit without unnecessary debt.
-
Oppose top-down mandates that ignore local context or saddle residents with hidden costs.
-
Bring practical experience from watchdog work and public service to ensure spending stays focused on real community needs.
A Record of Showing Up
When things got hard, I didn’t disappear — I stood up. From passing housing policy to shaping sustainability plans, I’ve proven I’ll fight for this community, not just coast on a title.
-
Chaffee County Sustainability Plan: I contributed to the Chaffee County Sustainability Plan because protecting our land, water, and way of life isn’t partisan—it’s just common sense.
-
I supported smart, future-focused updates to the Land Use Map—balancing growth with community values, protecting what makes Salida special while planning ahead for housing, infrastructure, and livability.
-
Volunteer of the Year (twice): I’ve been honored twice as Volunteer of the Year for simply showing up, staying late, and doing the work our community needs.
-
South Ark Neighborhood: I’ve been an active voice in shaping the South Ark neighborhood, bringing a community lens to planning decisions and long-term infrastructure goals.
-
As part of the Space to Create Salida steering committee, I helped shape one of the region’s first affordable housing projects for artists and creative workers.
-
Senior Housing & Memory Care Advocacy: I’ve consistently advocated for Salida to invest in senior housing and memory care—because people should be able to age with dignity right here in the community they built.
-
Flower Mill Workforce Housing (Rob Gartzman’s project): I supported the Flower Mill workforce housing project early on, working to make sure local workers could actually live in the town they keep running.
-
Jane’s Place Crisis Leadership: I steadied the ship—keeping the project on track and the funding secure during a time of real uncertainty and leadership change.
-
Currently serve as Salida Planning Commission Alternate
-
Served as Vice Chair for two years, Chaffee Housing Authority
-
Volunteer with Chaffee County Youth Alliance
-
Led efforts to protect public oversight and fair representation in housing decisions
-
Helped steer community coalitions, state-level advocacy, and local reform campaigns
-
Known for standing firm with facts, listening deeply, and getting things done