Candidate survey responses
Why are you running? Why are you running as a Democrat?
I grew up in Ohio, a couple of hours north of Athens. After high school, I moved around for college, graduate school, and work before eventually settling in Athens in 2013, which has become the community I’ve been a part of the longest now. I consider Athens home, and I’d like to contribute more to the community. I am running as a Democrat because that is the political party I have identified with since first voting in the Democratic Party primary after my 18th birthday.
What is your previous political or public office experience?
I have never held political or public office. I have held elected positions in the Electrochemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, two professional organizations to which I volunteer my time.
What do you see as Athens’ biggest issues?
Athens is a great place to live and raise a family, but some things can be improved. There is a lack of good affordable and accessible housing in the city.
I see some areas that need improvements to sidewalks, including making curbs more accessible.
What experiences, knowledge, expertise do you think you can bring to council? Relevant major accomplishments?
I have not previously held a political office. I have served in leadership positions in professional organizations, including Chair of the Industrial Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering division of the Electrochemical Society, as a member of the Society’s Board of Directors, as a member of the Individual Membership and Nominating Committees, and as an associate editor for the Journal of the Electrochemical Society. I have served as the Chair of the Electrochemistry Group of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Those roles have involved making decisions impacting professional societies with thousands of members. I have managed federally funded research projects involving industry partners and providing educational opportunities to graduate and undergraduate students.
Where and how do you think the city could improve life for its residents?
Sidewalk improvement, including accessibility, is one issue that the city could work to address. Public transit within the city is generally good, but some additional stops/routes may warrant investigation to enhance public transit coverage. Community input in these areas would be welcome.
What committees would you like to serve on?
I would be interested in serving on the Planning & Development and Transportation committees.
Some hot-button items over the past year have been the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District plan (and Athens-Hocking Recycling Centers becoming Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal council of governments), construction on West Union and the Lostro Project, a recent cyber theft and an income tax increase. Any thoughts on how the city/council handled problems that arose during these circumstances?
I think that the transition of Athens-Hocking Recycling Centers to the Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal (SORT) Council of Governments was handled well. This could keep the recycling center operational, which is a win for the region.
The Lostro Project is a major undertaking with some questions about what the space will be used for (hotel, residential, some mix). I would like to have clear, firm plans/commitments from developers before such projects begin. For this project in particular, I would insist that no ambiguity exist in whether the building will be used as a hotel vs. residential space vs. some potential mix.
The cyber theft is unfortunate, but this is the world we live in. Emails need to be read very closely to make sure they are legitimate, including a careful check of the email address. With a request for payment of this magnitude, I think that in addition to a careful email check, a phone call to the contractor to confirm the request was warranted prior to the payment being sent.
Taxes are a complicated issue. If a tax increase is on the table, I would generally favor an increase in income tax over an increase in sales tax, primarily because sales tax is more regressive, hitting lower income families harder. Income taxes can be tailored with a progressive scale such that lower income individuals see a lower percentage increase and higher earners see a higher percentage increase. I would prefer this progressive scale on income taxes. With any proposed tax increase I think that thorough discussions of the need for and use of the additional tax revenue are warranted, along with identification of potential impacts of the tax increase on the community, especially lower income individuals and families.
