Why I’m Running

I believe in "Placekeeping"—the practice of protecting a community’s soul by preserving the culture and memory of our neighborhoods while we evolve.

• Rooted Advocacy: I have stood up with our neighbors in Ward 2 by taking a leadership role with the Northeast Ann Arbor Community Coalition to engage with the University to relocate a bus yard away from residential streets and have rallied the community to save MD Bagel Fragel.

• Gentle Density: I support the "Neighborhood Residential" vision for gentle density that respects the vibe and aesthetic of neighborhoods. This allows us to increase housing options for workers and families while keeping the visual character of our streets intact.

• The Foundation of Daily Life: High-functioning infrastructure is the silent pulse of our community—the bedrock of safety and health that allows residents to thrive. I will ensure our teams have the resources and trust they need to maintain seamless reliability, recognizing their quiet success as the ultimate service to our citizens.
  

• Strategic Stewardship & Resilience: Utilizing my business background, I view city services as a sophisticated portfolio of essential foundations. I will advocate for a Capital Improvement Plan that treats infrastructure as a strategic asset, empowering our professional stewards to proactively fortify the systems that sustain our future.
  

• Precision Growth & Capacity: We must align city growth with our actual utility vitality to ensure systems are never pushed to a breaking point. By prioritizing "Top of Mind" planning, we honor the expertise of our frontline teams, giving them the capacity to build a resilient city where stability is a guarantee, not an afterthought.

A thriving city is about more than just buildings; it’s about collective wellbeing and the social connections that keep us resilient. Finding moments where we stop being just "residents" and start being neighbors.

• Mental Health and Nature: Urban design influences our emotional health. I am committed to protecting our 10-minute park walkshed and creating "quiet zones" where neighbors can recharge.
  

• The Arts and Connection: As a former Huron Music Association president, I’ve seen firsthand how AAPS Orchestra Night transforms our students. It’s a "magical experience" that brings families from every corner of the city together to be inspired by what our children can achieve. Our city spaces could also include more public art installations and "community hubs" like cafes and markets that invite residents to linger and interact. This isn't just a luxury, arts and cultural activities have a significant positive impact on quality of life.