Passion and Priorities
Making City Hall more open, transparent, and friendly to residents and businesses
More collaboration and input from stakeholders will lead to better decision making, fair and sensible policies, and improved community relationships. City Hall should make it easier for working families to participate in city commission meetings. We must give better information to the public on how our City Hall, Commission, and departments function and where to find information. I have spoken publicly about the injustice of charging residents a fee to view recordings of public meetings. I pushed the City to give residents the ability to speak from home for Citizen Comments. For many years, I have kept residents informed about upcoming meetings and opportunities to participate. I have always fought for ethics and accountability. I will continue working hard to keep you informed and engaged, always searching for new and innovative ways to communicate with residents and local business owners.
Smart growth that preserves and sustains our parks, beaches, and green spaces
Over-development reduces our quality of life, increases traffic congestion, worsens flooding, and harms the environment. Some redevelopment is necessary and financially beneficial for the city. However, the City must value and incorporate public input and concerns, from all residents and stakeholders, so that we can grow responsibly while maintaining quality of life. Population density on flooded streets and in mandatory hurricane evacuation zones requires a great deal of resources. It is not safe or fiscally responsible to place more residents at risk. I have spoken publicly at City Hall about the importance of mitigating and reducing storm and flood damage risks. For years, I have been actively involved in public participation meetings about development, including Hollywood’s Comprehensive Plan to 2050 and Broward Next. Our treasured recreational and green spaces need to be preserved and maintained. This is why I served on the City of Hollywood’s Parks and Rec Advisory Committee, helping to make recommendations about parks across the city. I attend Hollywood Historical Society events and lectures because I believe in preserving historic structures and what is unique and special to Hollywood while preparing for the future.
Improving infrastructure and reducing flooding
Residents are concerned about flooding and our aging infrastructure. Our city has recently adopted a stormwater master plan because our neighborhoods desperately need relief from flooding, especially here in District 1. In heavy rain, residents worry they might not make it home, to their jobs, or to pick up their kids from school. Over the years, I have attended numerous meetings about the city’s stormwater master plan, public meetings about plans for specific streets in District 1, as well as meetings about the citywide climate change vulnerability assessment. I have also participated in public feedback opportunities on the county level. My involvement proves that I will prioritize the stormwater master plan.
Fiscal responsibility, and reducing the high cost of living
Keeping a structurally balanced budget while finding ways to reduce unnecessary spending is important. I view and attend city budget presentations and workshops. We can help Hollywood families by reducing taxes and fees, and fighting for state policies that will offer some relief to property owners, including seniors hit with high condo assessments. Financial responsibility also means careful long term planning, including necessary renovations and proper maintenance of our facilities. When our community centers and other public spaces are neglected and in disrepair, that does not demonstrate fiscal responsibility. More effort should be made to cut wasteful spending so that we can prioritize funds for our community’s greatest needs. We also need to make sure that we are carefully examining contracts so that the city is always getting the best deal possible.
Enhancing quality of life and protecting residential neighborhoods
I will work to strengthen relationships between City Hall and Hollywood’s civic associations. We need to reduce response times for neighborhood concerns, including Code Enforcement violations, short term vacation rental violations (“party houses”), crime/public safety, street lights, traffic and speeding, permitting requests, litter, and illegal dumping. Our treasured recreational and green spaces need to be preserved and maintained. This is why I served on the City of Hollywood’s Parks and Rec Advisory Committee, helping to make recommendations about parks across the city. Residents want value for money, which means improved services. Our community needs quality programs for seniors. As a former public school teacher, I know that a strong community begins with good schools. I will identify new ways to help our struggling public schools and work to better connect our service organizations with students in need. I will continue to advocate for home rule/local control over issues like development and short term vacation rentals.
Increasing sustainability and resiliency, and protecting our environment
Over the years, I have learned from and partnered with city and county sustainability and resiliency staff, and Hollywood will benefit greatly from my knowledge and experience. I have volunteered for environmental groups and causes for many years, and I have also worked for over 7 years on environmental policy on the local, state, and federal levels. Through this work, I have helped to pass bipartisan legislation to protect our beaches, waterways, and marine life by collaborating with residents, coalition partners, and lawmakers across the state of Florida. A beach commissioner has an enormous responsibility to protect the barrier island and plan for sea level rise and resiliency. By not preparing adequately for the future, we are putting the city at risk. For many years, I have participated in workshops and public meetings on coastal resilience, flooding, sea level rise, and extreme heat. I served on the City of Hollywood Sustainability Advisory Committee, and I currently serve on the Broward County Public Schools Green Advisory Committee. Taking care of our air, water, and green space is important for the mental and physical health of our community.
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