Walking and Biking:

would like to make Helena more walkable and bikable, especially for children and other vulnerable members of our community. We should not have to drive our children to school or the park because we do not feel it is safe for them to cross certain streets. Everyone benefits when more people walk and bike, because the streets are less congested for those who do drive, and we do not need to spend tax dollars on widening roads and building additional parking areas.

Improving Health and Safety:

ll choices that the city makes should make Helena even more safe and livable for all people, including the elderly, low-income, people living with disabilities, and children. To protect our youngest Helenans, I would like to reduce or eliminate pesticide and herbicide use at our parks and playgrounds, where possible. Where it is not possible to use a non-toxic alternative, I would like to use the least toxic alternative. Our children and pets play and crawl in the grass at parks, and should not be exposed to pesticides and herbicides that have been linked to harmful effects, including birth defects and cancer.

Non-Discrimination Ordinance:

support a local non-discrimination ordinance to protect residents from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, similar to the one passed last year in Missoula. Unfortunately, the state of Montana hasn't stepped up to protect each and every one of its residents. It's only fair that we do what we can to protect each and every person here in Helena.

Supporting Downtown Businesses:

would encourage city policies that support downtown businesses and increase foot traffic. I am interested in listening to ideas to make our downtown more vibrant.

Local Food Sources:

he city should support policies that help our local Helena farmers and growers. Additionally, we should look for locations to add more community gardens, especially in the downtown area.

Recycling:

strongly support curbside recycling and other policies to make it easier to recycle. If elected, I would pursue development of a long-term plan to provide curbside recycling.

Brownfield and Infill Development:

want to encourage infill and brownfield development, especially in the downtown and urban core. Not only does this make Helena a better and more fun place to live, but it returns areas to the tax base, and helps develop blighted areas. I would like to encourage cleanup and redevelopment of the Caird Steel property, fully taking into account feedback and concerns from the community. It will be a difficult job, but appropriate redevelopment of this property will help neighboring businesses and residents, and will bring this property back into productive use.

Impact Fees:

believe in ensuring that all new developments and annexations pay their way through impact fees. All developments should be built in a way that they can be hooked up to city utilities without the city having to spend additional money to bring the development up to city specifications.