My Platform
Preventing the Lightrail from Displacing Residents
The lightrail station that will be coming to South Everett will provide a lot of opportunities to residents by providing an accessible, faster, and more sustainable way to commute to Seattle and nearby cities. But the station will also mean an increase in the cost of living, which will make it even more difficult to afford living in the neighborhood. As your city council member, I will advocate to ensure that gentrification does not displace low income Everett Residents.
Public Safety - Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and their neighborhood. We can work to decrease crime by investing in community programs for youth, addressing the root causes of addiction and poverty, and by supporting services for victims. I would also advocate for expanding crisis response and embedded social worker programs so police are able to spend more time stopping crime, and less time de-escalating mental health crises.
Road safety - Everett has a very high rate of pedestrian and traffic related deaths compared to neighboring cities. As a bicycle commuter, I have been hit by a car twice because our roads were not designed to prioritize safety. There are similar stories from countless other residents. This is an issue that especially affects low-income residents who do not have access to a car, folks with disabilities, and our kids . We can fix this issue by adding more stop signs, placing speed barriers, Such as chicanes and rain gardens, in residential neighborhoods, and creating more pedestrian friendly infrastructure.
City budget - Everett is in a budget crisis. Lower revenue and poor budget planning have led to the city slashing necessary services and making cuts that will harm residents. Many of these cuts will impact our district more than other, wealthier parts of the city. Unfortunately, more cuts are coming, and as your city council member, I will fight to ensure they do not target low income communities and are equally distributed. I will find ways to rearrange how the city is currently using resources to maximize their efficiency and also work to find creative ways of increasing revenue while minimizing the burden of taxes on families.
Low income housing - The population of Everett is expected to almost double in the next two decades. In order to meet the need, the city has approved new zoning regulations and a housing action plan that can accommodate this growth. I believe that these new units must be affordable for current Everett residents and should add to the city’s character and quality of life. These developments must include parks and natural areas, foster opportunities for small businesses, and maintain the diversity and culture of our neighborhood.
