| 1. What are the top three issues facing Austin in your opinion? |
Transportation. Failed planning has led to terrible congestion, higher transportation costs, and lower quality of life; it's time for a new approach.
Supporting our local economy by leveling the playing field and investing in businesses making Austin strong today.
Protecting the vitality and character of our neighborhoods and creative industries.
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| 2. What specific solution do you plan to implement as a Council Member to address the region's transportation problems? |
Focus on near term congestion relief solutions: work with large employers to establish four-day work weeks, staggered work hours, and telecommuting; create specialized traffic police to handle peak hour congestion hot spots, and keep wreckers ready to reduce accident clearing times; minimize road closures by coordinating development and utility projects.
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| 3. What do you see as the proper role of the City of Austin in economic development? |
The City has an important role in economic development. Beyond incentives, the Council should promote and support Austin's quality of life, through recreation, safety, infrastructure maintenance, and a predicable regulatory environment. Austin's position as a great city for business also results from its creative highly educated and skilled labor pool.
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| 4. Do you support continuing the use of firm-based incentives as outlined in the City's Economic Development policy? |
I support enhancing Austin's economic development strategies to match community values, emphasizing local recruitment, increased minority and women hiring, and higher wage scales. Proposals should be publicly vetted and reviewed on an annual basis. Also, economic development should meet community goals e.g., renewable energy technology or other green industries.
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| 5. Do you support the "Stop Domain Subsidies" charter amendment? |
Austin must level the economic playing field. I agree in principal that subsidies to retail projects do not make economic sense except in very special circumstances because they result in moving economic activity from one part of an area to another instead of expanding the whole base.
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| 6. Should the "Stop Domain Subsidies" charter amendment pass, the City will be able to arbitrarily terminate certain development agreements. How will you ensure that the City uphold a fair and predictable regulatory climate for businesses in the future? |
Council members have a sworn duty to uphold contracts to protect the public interest. The basis for a predictable regulatory climate is open, transparent dealings by the City with clear public goals developed with input by affected parties. It also requires ongoing accountability to understand the outcomes of public initiatives.
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| 7. Do you support a possible charter amendment implementing single member districts? |
Austin's system of government has resulted in uneven representation for some parts of our city. A change to a single member district/hybrid system would bring the Council closer to the community, which would result in more effective governance. It would improve representation, increase accountability, and enhance access to Council Members.
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| 8. Describe what City program you think best illustrates your idea of an exemplary City service and explain why. |
Austin Green Building program is recognized as one of the most successful sustainable energy programs in the U.S. The program not only conserves resources; it also saves money for businesses, residents and taxpayers. Additionally, the program has helped position Austin at the forefront of the new green economy.
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| 9. Who are three past or current leaders in Austin that serve as your model of leadership? |
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Roberta Crenshaw, former Parks Board Member and Philanthropist, pioneer of Town Lake Greenbelt
- Steve Bercu, owner of nationally recognized BookPeople, founder of the Austin Independent Business Alliance
- Heather Way, attorney, professor and affordable housing advocate; director, Community Development Clinic UT Law School.
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| 10. How are you qualified to serve as an Austin City Council Member? |
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Civic: Extensive volunteer efforts on a variety of Austin issues; President of Austin Neighborhoods Council; recognized for successfully building consensus
Professional: Engineering and project management for air force systems and consultant to International Business Office at Lockheed Martin; Disaster Management Consultant
Education: Masters in Mathematics; Graduate Certificate in Public Health
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