Age: 28
Occupation: Community Entrepreneurial Liaison for ASU
Why are you running for city council?
"I ran for state representative in 2006, and when I lost, I had some people approach me about running for city council. I started walking door-to-door again and got a great deal of encouragement from people who had supported me."
What experience qualifies you for this position?
"I have served as a council member in the city of Kearny. I am familiar with the issues that come before a city council. Also, I currently work with economic development, and that's an issue that will be very important in the coming years."
What, in your opinion, is the most important issue of this campaign, and why?
"We are seeing a record tax increase. The council did not actually raise taxes — this is because of some evaluation issues. The city council knew this would happen and did not lower the rate to offset it, so some people are seeing as much as a 30 to 40 percent increase in property taxes."
What kind of relationship would you hope to have with ASU?
"That relationship has got to be the most important relationship for both organizations. I actually hope that I can be a bridge between the University and the city.."
Why would ASU students want to elect you?
"Students have already expressed a direct interest in helping me get this seat. I am the youngest city council candidate, so I'm closer to their age. Before I held my current job, I was a career coach at the business school. I used to work day-to-day with students to help them succeed."
What is the No. 1 thing you think needs to change in Tempe and why?
"There is a development owned by the University on Mill and University where there used to be an IGA grocery store. It's mostly empty now. The University and the city need to get together and figure out what they're going to do with that."
What do you feel are some of the most positive contributions students make to the community?
"I think students are already very active in the community, working on presidential campaigns and things like that. Honestly, with fraternities and service organizations and things like that, students are already doing a number of very admirable things."
What do you feel are some of the more negative contributions students make to the community?
"[Students] are responsible for the great majority of economic development and a vibrant Mill Avenue. That being said, people parking in neighborhoods they shouldn't be parking in is one of the biggest complaints I get. Also, I get complaints that there are too many houses in Tempe that are being rented out."
What do you feel you can contribute to the community if elected?
"I've worked in economic development, and I have former government experience. My approach is that I hear the concerns of the residents and, because of that door-to-door experience, I can work with what they want to see rather than only promote my own ideas."
