Candidate survey responses
Why are you running? Why are you running as a Democrat?
An engaged and active citizenry is crucial to the functioning of a responsive city government. As the country endures challenging times for public service, I decided that the most effective way to respond was to get more involved at a local level. I have served on several local community boards, and I have been on the Board of Zoning Appeals for the past year and a half. It now felt like the right time to take that engagement and experience into a more formal role.
Additionally, as an immigrant from Ireland, I was granted U.S. citizenship in 2023. This certainly sparked my desire to take full advantage of that privilege. I believe in the role of the parties and that we are served better if the parties are effective institutions, this includes at a local level.
The Democratic Party is the party that reflects my political views and I believe it offers the best policies to create a fairer society in America. That being said, I believe that Athenians share many values that cross party lines, and there’s much we can work together on.
What is your previous political or public office experience?
This would be my first elected public office, but I have significant experience interacting and working with public officials — from state level officials, to County Commissioners, and city level officials — in a number of my roles, including previously as the Athens County Broadband Coordinator and currently as a director at a regional nonprofit organization.
What do you see as Athens’ biggest issues?
Like many cities the size of Athens, we face a number of important issues that require increased vigilance and attention from the City Council.
First of these is the need to expand access to affordable housing — at a variety of levels of affordability. The work of the Affordable Housing Commission and the Planning Commission in this area is really important and I want to see those efforts moved forward. We have vulnerable community members who need access to homes they can afford and are often priced out of rentals by the student market. For our city to remain vibrant we need our city population to grow and for those who want to live here to have the realistic opportunity to do so. Athens is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. [Editor’s note: According to U.S. Census data, the city’s population has not changed substantially.] To ensure that growth is sustainable and has a positive impact on our city, we need to continue to develop policies and programs to encourage greater access to housing for those who would seek to stay here, or study here, or raise a family here, and then retire here.
Our small businesses are an important factor in what makes Athens uniquely Athens. An open and responsive approach to supporting the success of these local businesses should be a key goal of city government, particularly around infrastructure and development. Access to housing is also a crucial element in creating an environment where small local businesses, particularly those in the service industry, can thrive.
As our public health structures face increasing challenges and funding cuts, local community health initiatives will become increasingly important to the well- being of cities like Athens. Council will need to do all it can to work with the public health department and state agencies to ensure that we can deploy folks like Community Health Workers and Community Behavioral Health workers to connect our community members to the services we can maintain.
The last area I would like to work in is ensuring the city retains its focus on is standing up for the progressive values shared by our community, another important factor that makes Athens Athens.
What experiences, knowledge, expertise do you think you can bring to council? Relevant major accomplishments?
From my varied background and experience I will bring a range of expertise to the council. As a social studies educator for over a decade I have a deep understanding and appreciation for the role of local institutions and political participation. From my roles in non-profit organizations, I have a broad range of experience with state and federal funding of public services and programs.
As the first Athens County Broadband Coordinator I helped create a strategy for the county in developing greater access to broadband connections, an area I would like to see more progress – particularly in the areas of affordability and digital literacy.
I serve on the boards of the Far East Side Neighborhood Association and the Athens Ohio Soccer Organization. From my service on the Board of Zoning Appeals I have direct experience with the role that the zoning code has on development in our city and can offer important guidance as the city looks to reform the zoning regulations.
Also, as a parent to school-aged children, OU alum, immigrant and former international student, former renter, homeowner, youth soccer coach, and someone who has lived in multiple areas throughout the City, I feel I can represent a range of voices and perspectives, which is important to me.
Where and how do you think the city could improve life for its residents?
The first area is to make sure that the city government is open and responsive to the concerns of the city’s residents. As an at-large member of council, I would take a city-wide perspective and would be a voice for people across the four wards. I believe the work already begun by the planning commission on reforming the zoning is a great start. I am eager to see the city explore innovative approaches to affordable housing, including the potential of community land trusts and future LIHTC incentives. I am eager for the city to continue to support recreation services and to continue making sporting opportunities accessible and available across our community.
What committees would you like to serve on?
Based on my experience, the two committees where I can offer the most relevant support are the City and Safety Service Committee and Planning and Development. City and Safety Service oversees, among many areas, recreation and broadband – two areas I have a lot of experience and interest.
The Planning and Development Committee oversees zoning and my time on the Board of Zoning Appeals provides me with some valuable insights for that committee.
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?
All of these issues show the need for Council to take time, perhaps even a separate committee, to work on long term planning and challenges alongside the Mayor and his team. From that process, Council should take up the role of oversight and providing transparency for the people in the City on developments and changes coming down the pipeline. Holding the city administration accountable and ensuring as much appropriate information as possible is in the hands of the people is crucial for maintaining support and understanding for the work of city officials. In relation to these instances you mentioned, the biggest frustration I hear from Athenians is the lack of information and clarity they receive from the city about these projects. In a number of these instances there were considerations at work that may not have been communicated clearly to the people of the city.
For instance, I do not believe it was widely understood that state law required the city to accept the Rumpke bid for the city’s trash collection as it was the lowest one entered. I believe that in most instances our city officials are doing the best they can to make decisions in the best interest of our residents, however, this lack of clarity leads to frustration and division. The Council should take the initiative to press the administration for greater clarity and then ensure people are informed – the Athens Independent has played an important role in this area as local journalism is crucial to this endeavor. People may still be unhappy with the outcome, but at least they have a greater understanding of how decisions were made.
If elected I would like to play a role in developing greater participation in city institutions – from local neighborhood associations, to city boards and committees. Democracy thrives through participation. Greater participation will lead to a more informed and connected city.
