Top Issues

“Something I’ve learned while working in government is that government cannot solve everything. But in the areas of public education, public safety, public transportation, environment, and taking care of those most vulnerable in society, our seniors and children, there is much that government can do; and there is much that government must do!”

Education

We must equip our youth with the skills necessary to not only compete, but excel in the 21st century global marketplace. Bringing the best teachers into smaller classrooms is just the basics of how we need to improve our education system. Giving parents a strong, real voice in the process is a must. We also need to use all resources available to us, including innovative public television programming, to engage our children to develop a love for a lifetime of learning.

Strengthening our after-school programs is a top priority to address real needs of single-parent families and two-parent working families. The “additional” educational time will allow children to receive extra homework help, participate in organized team sports, and be exposed to art, theater and music.

Preserving the Character of our Neighborhoods

I will fight to preserve the character of our neighborhoods. Residential neighborhoods must stay residential! We must vigorously enforce existing zoning laws, and when necessary, change them to accomplish this goal. We will continue to seek pro-active approaches to protect the rich history and character of all of the neighborhoods in our district.

Public Transportation

Improving mass transit and mass transit infrastructure is critical to the long-term economic vitality of our city. Many residents in our district rely on the public bus system, including express bus service, as the only means of transportation. We must make better use of available technology to improve the efficiency of our transportation system, including providing to the public real-time information about bus schedules, traffic flow, etc.

Environment

Investing in the “greening” of our city today will pay for itself, and many times over, in the years to come. We must continue to aggressively retrofit all city-owned property with energy-efficient lighting and equipment is something that cannot wait any longer. Improving air quality, providing more open green space for our residents, and reducing our carbon footprint are no longer conceptual, long-term goals; we can make it happen today!

Small Businesses

With the major restructuring of Wall Street, small businesses, now more than ever, serve as the foundation of our city’s economic engine. Recognizing the key role that small businesses play in the economic recovery process, we must promote, not hinder, policies on the local level that support the overall economic recovery plan being implemented on the state and national levels.