Q: What will be your top priorities as Washington County Commissioner?
A: Washington County is at a tipping point with its housing prices. Luckily, there are some common-sense solutions that can be used to help our residents move towards being able to buy their own homes. As county commissioner, I intend to make this issue one of my top priorities.
I am also committed to making targeted investments in our transportation infrastructure that will shorten commutes, increase capacity and be responsive to the demands of the people that live and work in Washington County. I would also like to institute term limits for commissioners.
Q: How can the county help make housing more affordable for its residents?
A: I would look at lowering system development charges (SDCs) that get passed on to both homeowners and renters. We also need to consider encouraging tiny home development and supporting modern middle housing development as creative solutions to our housing crisis.
Q: Which currently proposed transportation projects do you support?
A: I’m in favor of the Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program, because it addresses the demands for multiple modes of transportation. I also think county should partner with the Oregon Department of Transportation for projects on major arterials. I support the Aloha Tomorrow project. That unincorporated area is growing, so it’s important that our systems be able to meet that demand. I also support the county looking at taking back some of its roads, where doing so makes sense and benefits its residents.
Q: Are there any transportation projects that you oppose?
A: Yes. I am against the proposed SW Corridor light rail project. I’ve also yet to see any proof that the ambitious plans to create an underground tunnel will do anything to reduce congestion or be a wise use of taxpayer dollars.
Q: What is your history of public service?
A: My public service started with my work with high needs mental health youth. For years, I worked in Yamhill County’s juvenile department. I started as a health and human services coordinator, lining them and their families up with the resources they so badly needed. That focus on the bigger picture caused me to become an administrator, and I started at the juvenile detention facility. For the last ten years, I’ve been an administrator for the Department of Community Justice. I’ve also done ethics training for officials all over Oregon and serve on Washington County’s Homeless Plan Advisory Committee and Rural Roads Maintenance Advisory Committee.