What experience and skills do you bring to a position on the Woodcreek City Council?
I have 36 years experience in government administration, ranging from the countycity to federal levels. I planned and accomplished successful projects in all sectors. From staffing Pima County’s Board of Adjustments, drafting county ordinances, and managing community contracts in Tucson, Arizona, to spending the last 18 years of my career as Contracts Operations Manager for the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division, I developed and applied a wide range of skills that I would bring to the Woodcreek City Council. My strengths are analyzing data, budgeting and forecasting, and developing and overseeing results-based agreements.
As you see it, what are Woodcreek’s top priorities? Woodcreek residents identified priorities in a comprehensive planning process.
The current plan has guided the efforts of the Mayor and Council over the past four years and led to improvements while minimizing impact on Woodcreek taxpayers. The major accomplishment I hear about most is the paving of Woodcreek streets after years of substandard roads. Upgrading parks and green spaces and building a children’s playground also respond to citizen requests. I want to be part of a council that updates the comprehensive plan through strong citizen involvement, continues to make infrastructure improvements, addresses drainage issues expeditiously, organizes community events to help bring us together, and adds and maintains attractive parks and green spaces. We should continue to seek grants, intergovernmental and area partnerships to leverage taxpayer funds.
Politics in Woodcreek have been divisive for many years. What do you think of that situation and what can you do that will allow residents to find a more unified vision of the city’s direction?
This is perhaps the most difficult question of all to answer, as the divisiveness of politics is present from Woodcreek to Washington D.C. The most important thing I know of to help bring our residents together is to develop ongoing opportunities to discuss issues outside the council meetings, whose format is not conducive to problem solving or finding common ground. We must try different methods of coming together and working on issues that affect us all. If one method doesn’t work, then we try another. A common theme for most residents is wanting to do what’s best for Woodcreek while preserving its special character. If we recognize there will never be perfect agreement on what’s “best” for Woodcreek’s future, we’ll have a better chance at reaching a consensus on a productive way forward.
Over the last several years, Woodcreek had added new pocket parks and other similar projects. In terms of long-term development, would you support those kinds of initiatives, and if not, why? What would you support?
We face severe environmental challenges from oak wilt, drought, flood, ice storms, and climate uncertainty to come. Augusta Park, with its citizen amenities and native plants, is both a residential gathering place and an educational model for water-wise landscaping. The Triangle is also a community gathering space that has reduced reliance on water systems through rainwater collection. It is also planned for grantfunded native planting. Native tree giveaways and educational programs increase citizen involvement in water conservation. I would like to see pocket parks throughout Woodcreek in locations not suitable for building. Green spaces protect our ground water, give people respite, and help preserve our city's natural beauty. I commend the council and trees board and support further pursuit of grants for green projects, with continued city administrative support for landscape maintenance.
The method of enforcing code violations in Woodcreek has changed multiple times over the years. What do you think is the appropriate way to handle this issue?
I believe the city council's approach to code enforcement now is working well so far. Personnel changes in code enforcement and city management in the past have made it difficult to realize standardized and citizenfriendly code enforcement. Enforcement oversight by the current city administrator with the formal addition of enforcement responsibilities to a city staff member who reports to the administrator have improved code enforcement responsiveness. I have personal experience with a recent enforcement problem on my street. The problem was resolved quickly and with no hard feelings. Code enforcement can be complex and not always resolvable under legal restraints. I have faith in our city administrator and staff to resolve code enforcement questions quickly when possible, and to elevate concerns to council for resolution when needed.
