Why are you running to be on the Council in Orono?
I am running to give back to Orono through public service.
I enjoy living in Orono and have benefited from its parks, its trails, and its strong sense of community.
Serving on the City Council is an opportunity to contribute back to the city.
What skills would you bring to this role, this step on the journey?
My professional experience includes managing staff, developing and reviewing proposals through bid management, and working in cybersecurity—all of which have strengthened my ability to assess complex topics, work collaboratively, and make thoughtful decisions,
and all of which apply to the work of a City Council.
I believe my cybersecurity experience in particular will become increasingly valuable as cities continue to face evolving technology and security challenges.
(Local governments continue to rely more heavily on technology to deliver services, and understanding the importance of protecting systems and information will be an important part of responsible governance.)
What would guide your voting?
My focus would be on responsible stewardship of the special place we call home.
To that end, I commit to learning from the work of those who make City Council decisions possible if elected—including city staff, the Park Commission, the Planning Commission, and other advisory bodies.
I would also listen carefully to residents at meetings and aim to make thoughtful decisions that serve the long-term interests of the community while considering individual needs and the expressed community's desired collective direction.
I believe that means honoring the Community Management Plan, particularly its Land Use Goals, e.g., "To reinforce Orono’s environmental protection commitment, with special emphasis on the protection of Lake Minnetonka and Orono’s other lakes."
Do you have any particular areas of interest?
If elected, I would aim to be a voice for preserving the character of Orono while remaining open to responsible innovations.
For example, while giving due consideration to individual requests for housing variances, I would carefully evaluate whether such petitions appear to conflict with the broader interests of the community
(and ask if there are workable alternatives).
Then, while casting votes, I would consider our adopted ordinances, the long-term character of our neighborhoods, and the importance of protecting water quality through reasonable adherence to setback rules, hard-cover limits, and other related considerations.
