My thoughts on the issues ahead of us
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Responsible Spending
While other candidates may talk about how balancing the budget and reducing spend is important to them, I bring decades of real-world experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets. As an engineer and leader, I’ve overseen and been responsible for complex financial decisions that required both discipline and long-term vision. I am currently responsible and accountable for managing a budget that is four times larger than the current operating budget of the City. I know first hand how to manage and balance a budget and how to navigate competing interests and priorities. I understand that the best value doesn’t always come from the lowest initial cost—smart budgeting means investing wisely to serve our community now and into the future.
In addition to my hands-on experience, I’ve deepened my financial understanding through education. On top of earning my Bachelor and Master degrees, I have continued my education in economics, accounting, and analytics at Harvard Extension. I know how to stretch every dollar while making strategic choices that ensure efficiency and real results for our residents.
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Sustainability
Sustainability isn’t just a policy talking point for me, it’s a long-term commitment to the health and prosperity of our community. Over the past six years, I’ve proudly served Grandville in various service and leadership roles, including my current position as Chairperson of the Grandville Environmental Sustainability Committee. In this role, I’ve worked closely with other dedicated public servants, residents, local businesses, and city staff to advance initiatives that reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, and protect our water and natural environment.
I believe Grandville can be a model for smart, sustainable growth. That means investing in energy-efficient infrastructure, promoting responsible land use, encouraging green building practices, and preserving our green spaces. It also means making sustainability accessible by ensuring that our policies are equitable, economically sound, and responsive to the needs of all residents.
If elected, I’ll continue working to support responsible growth and long-term planning so that Grandville remains a healthy, vibrant place to live for generations to come.
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Partisan Politics
One of the strengths of our City Council is that it is non-partisan. Local government isn’t about political labels; it’s about real people. The decisions made by the Council affect us and our neighbors directly; our roads, our parks, our water, our homes. These aren’t abstract issues debated in a distant capital. They’re here, in our community, where the impact is immediate and visible.
My view on people is simple: I like good people. I respect people who care, who show up, who want to make life better no matter their party affiliation. On City Council, we need collaboration, not division. We need problem-solvers, not partisans.
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Roads and Infrastructure
Strong infrastructure is essential to a strong community. From the roads we drive on to the systems that deliver clean water and manage storm runoff, these are the fundamentals that keep our city safe, healthy, and moving forward.
We’re fortunate to have a shining example of innovation right here in our own backyard, the Grandville Clean Water Plant. The forward-thinking work happening there proves that when we prioritize smart investments and long-range planning, we can build systems that are both efficient and environmentally responsible. That kind of leadership shouldn’t stop at the water’s edge, it can and should be expanded across other areas of city infrastructure and process.
That means going beyond quick fixes. It means repairing and rebuilding roads with quality and durability in mind, replacing aging water and sewer lines before they become emergencies, and making our streets safer for everyone, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
As someone who’s worked hands-on with infrastructure policy as a planning commissioner and environmental sustainability committee chair, I believe in taking a proactive, future-focused approach. When we take care of the basics with excellence, everything else will grow from there.
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Economic Development
Strong economies don’t just happen—they grow from strong communities. When we invest in safe neighborhoods, strong infrastructure, vibrant public spaces, and a high quality of life, opportunity follows. As the saying goes, “If you build it, they will come.”
That means supporting both local entrepreneurs and major employers, revitalizing both residential and business districts, and creating the kind of place where people want to live, work, and grow. Economic development isn’t about quick wins or one-size-fits-all incentives; it’s about strategic planning, responsible stewardship of public resources, and a commitment to long-term impact.
When we build a city that people are proud to call home, business investment follows because talent and opportunity thrive where communities are strong, connected, and forward-looking.
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Transparency & Trust in Local Government
People deserve to know what their local government is doing and why. Trust is built when decisions are made in the open, communication is clear, and leaders are accountable to the people they serve.
Transparency isn’t just about publishing meeting minutes to check the box. It’s about creating a culture where residents feel informed, heard, and respected. That means making information easy to access, using plain language, and opening up more opportunities for public input.
In my years of service on the planning commission and environmental sustainability committee, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful, transparent processes lead to better decisions and stronger community support. When people understand how and why a decision is made (even if they disagree with the decision) they’re more likely to stay engaged. A highly engaged community is a healthy and strong community.
We should expand efforts to keep residents in the loop, from improving the city’s digital tools to making public meetings more accessible. I will work to make it easier for people to participate in local government, because a government that listens and explains itself clearly earns trust, and trust is the foundation of progress.