Community Questions
Here are a list of questions I received or found that are common for those seeking elected office. If anyone has additional questions to add here, please email them over.
How would you improve transparency between the Common Council/Village Board (etc) and voters — especially around budgets, ordinances, and major local decisions?
Since November 2024, the town has done well to improve transparency by including full meeting packets alongside agendas and offering regular unscheduled public comments. I wish to extend this transparency effort by offering remote attendance options via a streaming meeting platform such as Zoom, YouTube, or Vimeo. These recordings can also be digitally archived for on-demand viewing rather than requiring a public information request. This is a common offering for other venues, and we already have the tools. We just need someone to spearhead the effort.
How should the council/board handle proposed rezoning or development projects that concern neighbors (e.g., density changes, traffic impacts)?
Community input and data drive all such decisions, along with a full measure of common sense. The Town of Genesee is a very desirable and beautiful area, full of rustic charm and rural geniality. We must be intentional about how and where development occurs. Then, when proposed changes fit with long term plans and relevant impact studies give the green light, ensuring the community is on board with the timing and scale is paramount.
How should the council/board respond if there is strong disagreement in the community about proposed local ordinances?
In a word, communication. Ordinances do not arise out of nowhere, but the background as to why they are in place or being proposed can be lost in the fervor of the moment. It is imperative to communicate thoroughly and accurately, with humility and a willingness to listen to community concerns. There are often multiple ways forward. And even when disagreement is unavoidable, walking away knowing concerns on all sides were heard and appreciated allows us to maintain mutual respect for future efforts.
What are your top two budget priorities for this area, and what would you be willing to reduce or delay to fund them?
My top budget priority is to reduce borrowing and pay off debt. Interest payments are a money hole we cannot afford, and we absolutely need to be more responsible in this. For example, last year the town borrowed nearly half a million dollars to pay our portion of the shared multi-municipal fire services. It is unthinkable to me to borrow money for foreseeable operating expenses like this. Secondly, if we can manage (see above), I would like to see efforts made to beautify Genesee Depot, such that people driving through take notice and smile, and perhaps visit our local businesses.
How will you ensure residents understand where their tax dollars are going?
Again, communication is key. Hopefully large community improvements like the multi-year Road Program will be well known and appreciated by all. If a more thorough review of ongoing initiatives is desired, I am happy to meet with anyone that reaches out. I would also be willing to write a synopsis of budget decisions in a friendlier, more consumable format and post it to the website if such would be helpful.
How will you balance the budget without overburdening taxpayers?
There is a fixed amount of money in the various accounts each year, that is all we have. Proper planning and forethought is required to ensure sufficient budget is allocated appropriately. Security services such as police and fire service comes first. Essential resident services such as garbage collection and public works comes second. Town planning and other administrative services would be handled after residential services are covered. Once the required expenditures are covered, we need to make room for unexpected fees and future planning by setting aside savings and paying down debt. And last of all comes salaries of elected officials - we are here first as civil servants and volunteers.
What would you say to residents who didn’t vote for you?
Thank you for voting! You are a valuable citizen in our community, and I appreciate your willingness to participate in our shared civic discourse. I am here to serve all residents of the town regardless of how the votes were cast, so please feel free to work with me as you would any elected official serving in this role.