Community
Community-Building and Quality of Life
We are really lucky to live in a breathtaking natural setting where we can easily enjoy nature a short distance from our homes. Over many decades, Ojai has consistently made choices that preserved our quality of life here. Our local ordinance that disallows chain stores within city limits is a great example of some of the creative ways our community has chosen to live differently than most other Southern California towns.
I believe that we must make well-thought-through decisions about land use and tourism. If elected, I will work to achieve a better balance between tourism and the quality of life of local residents.
Here’s how:
Gain a deeper understanding of what works well for us from both a quality of life and tourism revenue generation perspective.
Take action to dial back what is not working for us while supporting high-benefit tourism that increases overnight stays.
I will also prioritize some of the less exciting but critical work Ojai must do to maintain our town’s roads and other infrastructure. My understanding is that we are millions of dollars behind on road maintenance due to many years of a council majority that made budgetary decisions that did not prioritize infrastructure maintenance. Allowing our roads to fall into disrepair results in road repair costs that can be five times or greater than routine maintenance that can be performed on time at a considerably lower cost.
Should I be elected to serve on our city council, I will advocate for more financially sound decisions that will better fund routine maintenance, thereby reducing long-term costs. Doing so substantially increases our ability to fund critical efforts such as:
Reducing our town’s climate-warming emissions
Planting more shade-producing trees
Increase recreational opportunities for all ages
Lifting up the less advantaged in our community
I also support continued community-building through recreation and community-focused activities, like a community pool and activities to engage our youth.
As a small business owner, I understand that maintaining a healthy local economy is key to our community’s long-term sustainability. If elected, I will work to attract more Ojai-friendly businesses to our light industrial neighborhood on Fulton and Bryant Streets, thereby creating more good-paying jobs for Ojai residents.
CLIMATE ActioN
Ten years ago scientists were warning us that future generations would experience detrimental global warming if we did not substantially reduce global carbon emissions. We now know that climate change impacts have come upon us quicker than previously projected and are contributing to the extended regional drought that is rapidly diminishing Ojai’s water reserves. The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time and requires swift and decisive action by global and national leaders as well as from our local government right here in Ojai. I’m impressed by the great work that has been done by the climate experts that have volunteered to serve on Ojai’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Committee.
If elected, I will work with my council colleagues, our climate committee, city staff, and community members to rapidly draw down our town’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Water supply
Ojai is experiencing an extended drought that is being worsened by climate change. In fact, the entire western U.S. is experiencing more dryness than has occurred in over 1,200 years. This arid weather has caused our natural landscapes to absorb much more water than in past decades thereby significantly reducing the amount of water available for agriculture and cities in western states and has resulted in unprecedented cutbacks of water allocations throughout the region.
Affordable Housing:
Preserving an Ojai where all belonG
Housing costs are rising at a rate higher than income levels. Because of that, some of our neighbors are being priced out of Ojai. I'm not against all development, but if we are to support new building projects, they need to be the best projects possible for the future of Ojai. I support creative solutions to preserve the economic diversity of our community by supporting local organizations that buy apartment buildings and update them while keeping rents low and residents in their homes. We need community-led and sustainable plans. None of us want to see our friends and neighbors become displaced.
In that same vein, diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to me as a member of the LGBTQ community. I’ve served on a committee to pilot anti-racism workshops and know how to bring people together.
Fire readiness
Building fire readiness is crucial to our town’s safety, well-being, and preservation. We can help mitigate the damage to our homes, our schools, and our town at large, by taking simple steps now to reduce the risk. The two most important things we can do to keep ourselves, our families, friends, neighbors, and animals safe during wildfires and other natural disasters is to thoroughly prepare in advance and listen to first responders when they tell us to evacuate.
What Do you think? Please share!
The role of Ojai City Councilmember is about being your representative in our local government. I have priorities, but my main agenda is to serve YOU, the residents of Ojai. I’d love to hear your thoughts, concerns, and visions for our town.