Platform

I want to meet people where you are: neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, senior housing, community groups. Coffee at your favorite spot, on your front porch, or at a neighborhood gathering. I’ll listen, learn, and follow through—especially centering voices that are too often unheard. 

A key focus for me: the City needs to communicate more effectively with the public.

That means:

• Posting council agendas and minutes earlier so residents have time to read, ask questions, and weigh in

• Sharing information in a timely, easy-to-find way (like monthly and end-of-year financials)

• Improving the monthly newsletter and website updates

• Responding to residents—if you reach out, I will commit to timely follow-up

Belfast works best when we work together. I’ll build practical, respectful partnerships with the County, RSU, local nonprofits and businesses, and our state and federal delegation—so we can tackle shared challenges, win resources, and deliver results faster. 

I also want a more collaborative working relationship with the RSU and County so everyone understands how each budget impacts taxpayers. We can’t keep working in silos—city, school, and county budgets all affect the same residents, and we need to plan them with coordination and transparency.

The challenges facing Belfast are too big for any one person or organization to solve alone. We are fortunate to live in a community with residents who have diverse talents and professional experience; we should fully leverage that to cultivate solutions. As a councilor, I’ll work to build respectful partnerships with Waldo County, RSU, local nonprofits and businesses, and our state and federal delegation. We should be working together to tackle shared problems, secure resources, and get results.

City, school, and county budgets all affect residents. Better coordination and transparency can help people understand how those decisions fit together, how public dollars are being spent, and ensure we work together to find efficiencies. The City Council can lead by example by making information about revenues, major expenses, capital projects, debt, staffing levels, and year-over-year changes easy for residents to find and understand well before decisions are made.

The Council sets priorities for the City and its staff, and I would like to see it prioritize collaboration with RSU 71 and County staff during the respective budget processes. The goal should be to understand needs and challenges better while also looking for efficiencies where they exist. This could include identifying overlapping services, planning joint purchases, and coordinating on capital projects where it makes sense.

I’m running because I think we can listen more closely, communicate more clearly, work together more effectively, and be straightforward about priorities and costs. Communication is key to solving these challenges, and it matters regardless of the issue. Residents should know when decisions are being made, how they will be made, and where they can find the information being considered in a timely fashion. 

Support local businesses with predictable processes and fair rules. Make smart and efficient use of city-owned properties. Expand housing options and support smart growth. Strengthen what makes Belfast Belfast—our working waterfront, downtown, and airport business park, for example—so they can thrive and adapt. 

Affordability and rising property taxes are real—and residents deserve clear, accessible information about budgets, major decisions, and timelines. Budgets should reflect community priorities, and taxpayers should expect accountability. 

Belfast is not unique in the challenges it faces; like many communities across Maine, Belfast is facing challenges related to workforce, housing, and affordability. However, I believe we can meet those challenges with experience, fresh energy, and a new perspective by managing growth thoughtfully, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in decisions about the city’s future.

Transparency and good governance matter. Residents deserve clear explanations of difficult budget choices and meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making. But this is only the starting point. I would like to see an annual workshop for the City Council, department heads, committees, and residents to discuss projects and proposals and prioritize them for the coming year and beyond. I would also advocate for a searchable database on the City’s website that provides information on all City procurement, making it easier for community members to see how public funds are being spent. 

The cost of living in Belfast—including property taxes, property valuations, fees, and other city costs—affects families, older residents, and small businesses. I want residents to feel their financial well-being is a priority and that decision-makers take their affordability concerns seriously.

The Council should always scrutinize spending, asking first and publicly whether proposed costs are necessary and sustainable, then clearly explain how the money is being used, and be transparent in the procurement process. 

I won’t go into office committed to automatically supporting or opposing a particular spending or tax proposal. I’ll consider the need, ask for alternatives, and weigh the impact on taxpayers and the community’s priorities before deciding, recognizing we need to live within our means.

Proactive, responsible economic development can strengthen Belfast and help ease pressure on property taxes. This means working with existing businesses to understand their challenges and needs, while targeting and attracting compatible businesses to our community. 

Budgets, timelines, and major decisions should be easy to find, easy to understand, and guided by community priorities. Belfast residents deserve clear information on what’s being decided, how it affects them, and exactly when and how to weigh in. 

Budget proposals should be easy to find, easy to understand, and built around community priorities. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel—we can learn from great examples across the Midcoast. 

Transparency and good governance matter. Residents deserve clear explanations of difficult budget choices and meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making. But this is only the starting point. I would like to see an annual workshop for the City Council, department heads, committees, and residents to discuss projects and proposals and prioritize them for the coming year and beyond. I would also advocate for a searchable database on the City’s website that provides information on all City procurement, making it easier for community members to see how public funds are being spent. 

“Fix it first.” I’ll prioritize preventive maintenance for roads, sidewalks, and city facilities—so we catch problems early, reduce long-term costs, and improve safety and accessibility for everyone. 

For example, I’ll work to ensure we adequately fund sidewalk and road repairs to maximize the lifespan of this infrastructure and avoid costly replacements.