My top interests and initiatives that I will focus on should I be elected to office:

In these times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their communities. I will make this a priority when I represent you on the City Commission. I will make sure that we have enough police and fire in our city. In addition to our city police and fire, there are ways that we can help protect our homes and our neighborhood from crime. From simple steps like keeping your doors locked to starting a Neighborhood Watch program. Work with your neighbors to keep your neighborhood clean and orderly. Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor, not under a doormat or planter, or in the mailbox. Set timers on lights when you’re away from home. Keep your home well-lit to eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubs, stairwells, alleys, hallways, and entry ways. Inform your local city representative of lighting in your neighborhood that is not sufficient.

Affordable housing by definition is when you spend no more than 30% of your household income on housing. Why is affordable housing important? Studies have shown, affordable housing uplifts residents, encourages social connection, reduces overcrowding, increases adjacent property values, attracts businesses, jobs, and lowers crime rates. There are many economic benefits of affordable housing, from increased spending, increased hiring, and increased taxes and revenue for local governments. Affordable housing can help communities thrive as well. When families worry less about making rent or their mortgage, those living in affordable housing can spend more on nutritious food and other essential items. Increasing the buying power for low-income families can mean steady income for local businesses, more jobs created, and economic growth.

We can’t accept the kind of cookie-cutter development that has turned many communities into faceless places that young people flee, tourists avoid and which no longer instill a sense of pride in residents. There are over 25,000 incorporated communities in America. Many are prospering, but many others are not. How is it that some small cities and towns can prosper, while many others are suffering disinvestment, loss of identity and even abandonment? How can communities, both big and small, grow without losing their heart and soul? From coast to coast, communities are struggling to answer these questions. My answer is, main street communities like Dania Beach, must and can find solutions to retain their small-town values, historic character, scenic beauty, and sense of community, yet sustain a prosperous economy.  

Working with local and county government to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem where people want to do business in our community is important.  Successful communities recognize their vitality is dependent on new innovations, enhanced educational opportunities and strong human capital.  Dania Beach has the opportunity and resources to identify how to leverage our unique and wonderful city to these opportunities for long-term economic success. Even at four percent unemployment, there will be many communities that will still suffer substantial unemployment, especially low-wage workers, and many Black and Hispanic workers. To obtain full employment for all and with good pay, we will need to undertake policies that can direct jobs to areas of high unemployment. The tool for this is tapping into public and non-profit employment programs.

A small business task force in Dania Beach would give the opportunity for feedback. This would allow the city to update and/or adjust its current policies, processes, and programs to best meet the needs of small businesses and ensure their growth and development. In addition, the task force would provide a forum in which small business representatives discuss, share, and learn about mutual items of interest in relation to city operations, policy, and programs.

Regular maintenance and landscaping are critical components for success.  When there is no flooding, the bushes are pruned, the grass is cut, and the trees are manicured, this sends a powerful signal to the community that someone cares. As a result, more people get involved, helping to keep the entire neighborhood cleaner and safer. Keeping our beaches clean, healthy, and continuing to work toward the Ocean Park Beach Revitalization plan https://daniabeachfl.gov/2708/Ocean-Park-Beach .

We need to slow down development where we can and require future developments to complement our city’s neighborhoods and reflect our ocean and small-town character. Our city streets are not just pathways for vehicles, our public roads play a vital role in how we shop, walk and meet throughout our city. We have to work with city planners on ways that make our residential streets safe and our main arteries (Federal Hwy., Stirling Rd., Griffin Rd., etc.) like roads and not freeways! Overdevelopment traffic calming and congestion are key reasons why I am running for office.