How I Will Work For You
Policy Revisions Needed
I. Focus on Debt Reduction and Project Costs
Franklin Leaders have never been good at following a plan, which is why we still do not have a city center. Development is opportunistic.
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The Master Plan is the tool to manage the pace and guide the character of growth. Runaway growth cannot keep up with the need for city services (fire, police, roads, number of employees) raising costs and your taxes.
We can cut city project costs with better focus and oversight on internal decisions. Bidding projects multiple times costs money and contractors either shy away or increase costs to compensate for city errors. Returning Council oversight puts more eyes on projects.
The City’s debt is mounting from the misuse of TIFs (tax incremental financing) designed to improve blighted areas, not projects that violate the intent of the City’s Master Plan.
I will stand up for planned growth and push for financial scrutiny and transparency to keep spending in control.
II. Lower Taxes by Attracting Quality Businesses
Franklin will continue to grow, and that is a good thing. The caveat is that heavy residential development places a large financial burden on the need for additional schools, police and fire services.
Businesses don’t put kids in schools. Businesses help keep money local and provide a means to support families.
We need to attract more quality business developments and stop quick acceptance of opportunistic businesses virtually no other city wants.
Accruing City debt using TID handouts is not the only method to attract business. If we focus on lower tax rates, a solid employee pool, quality schools and low crime, the draw for businesses that supplement our tax base will be straightforward.
I will support developments that promote a strong and safe community desirable to both businesses and families.
III. Policies, Transparency and Ethics Board
A recently adopted policy is concentrating too much power into the mayoral position. Elected officials are prohibited from contacting public agencies for information gathering.
Questions and answers are required to be filtered through the mayor’s office. This prevents council members, elected by district residents, from effectively doing their job. It also prevents knowing important details on projects within the city, unless selectively provided.
The Ethics Board (eliminated by Mayor Olson) needs to be reinstated to stop conflicts of interest and collusion and give citizens alternate methods other than resorting to legal actions as their only recourse for government accountability.
I will work to restore the Ethics Board, the integrity of communication and quality government representative of the people.
The Three Pillars
My campaign and platform are based on three principles that are part of my everyday thinking and the foundation of my drive to be Alderman. The three pillars of my platform are:
I. Quality
The City of Franklin's motto; Celebrating Quality of Life is one that we must live up to. Quality is a word not to be taken lightly requiring commitment, dedication, and attention. As a city representative, I will push to make sure the city lives up to its motto.  I will advocate for positive change, and do everything I can to ensure our children and others in the community see a brighter future. Please join me today.
II. Integrity
The best way to ensure that governments consistently act in the public interest, and are not disproportionately influenced by financial or other vested interests, is to design policy and decision-making processes that are inclusive, transparent and accountable. Anger at the widespread popular perception that certain interest groups have largely captured public policy is mounting, making it a timely issue to align policy with public interests.
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I am pro-growth, but I am for responsible, well considered growth. I pledge to work with developers but will not sell out our city to the sole benefit of one or two companies.
III. The Community
I am proud to support and push for positive change(s) throughout our community. I do not believe that an alderman should ever ignore, discredit or attack one of their own constituents. I see the role of an alderman as that of one working with many groups incorporating numerous ideas and effecting compromise when and where possible.
I am ready to listen, and rally support needed, to make the impactful changes that bring a positive influx of revenue and better developments, that are in alignment with the Comprehensive Master Plan.
If you would like to go over my ideas further or share your own thoughts and ideas, please feel free to contact me.