Council District: St. Pete City Council, District 1
Q1 – Please describe your approach to addressing issues of race equity (2000 character limit).
I believe the first step in addressing issues of race equity needs to be listening to the experiences of those who have been hit hardest. We can’t, and shouldn’t, ignore our past and the ways our policies have impacted our Black residents. Righting that wrong will take an “all-of-the-above” approach. I favor making significant infrastructure investments in South St Pete and prioritize local hiring for those projects, but we also need to partner with our school board, our state partners, and nonprofits to lift up our neighbors. My experience teaching opened my eyes to the struggles of students and families from all backgrounds. It’s our duty to help build up communities, not marginalize them. If elected, one step I would take would be to dedicate my time and energy to ensure that all children have access to high-quality education and resources regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, background, age, religion, or ability. St. Pete is an incredibly diverse city and I’ll work to ensure that everyone feels welcome and heard at the table. On City Council, I’d advocate for policies that protect the rights of individuals and would continue working towards a community free of discrimination and prejudice.
Q2 – Please list three (3) key issues related to race equity. Briefly explain how they relate to race equity. (2000 character limit)
Public Safety: Right now, our city is experiencing an uptick in violent crime that is disproportionately impacting our minority neighborhoods. This, alongside the frustrations regarding the violence and injustices carried out by law enforcement on people of color, has fostered a system where those who need the most protection are often the least likely to seek and receive it. Violent crimes are often the result of the frustration and desperation of trying to make ends meet in a system that doesn’t seem to work for all. I’d like to consult with leaders both in the community and within the St. Pete PD and hear how they think we could reduce crime across the board, specifically what resources they think the city could provide to make our city a safer place to live.
COVID-19 Recovery: Too often, minority communities are marginalized by our healthcare system, and COVID-19 highlighted this issue. I want to work with our schools, small businesses, and residents to continue St Pete’s recovery and ensure that every member of our community has access to crucial services, such as testing locations and vaccination sites. As our Councilmember, I will support increased grants and direct investments into our healthcare system in both the long and short term. I would also use my position to advocate for needed changes at the state and federal levels.
Development and Infrastructure: Many neighborhoods, largely – but not exclusively – in majority-minority areas of our city, such as South St. Pete, have been neglected and have not seen the same benefits from growth as others. Our city government needs to make up for the longstanding and institutionalized neglect that these communities have struggled with. From transportation and infrastructure to food security and job creation, all options need to be explored in these neighborhoods. We need to continue to invest in the South Side CRA with new and creative programs that incentivize development and investment into those neighborhoods.
Q3 – Of those issues identified in question 5, which priority/priorities will you address first? How and why? (2000 character limit)
Of the three issues mentioned, my first priority will be addressing development and infrastructure in our city. Development and infrastructure impact every aspect of the lives of our residents- from the homes they live in, to the food they eat, to the jobs they have and we need to take major steps in balancing our investments so no corner of our city is left out of our successes. We need to strengthen our infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing city so we can improve the quality of life for every resident. This means updating our wastewater system, repairing roadways, improving our public transportation system, and more. I’d also like to increase our stock of affordable housing by bringing residents, builders, and community organizations together to increase our housing stock while protecting our unique character. I believe the Trop location can be turned into more affordable housing options that are accessible to all kinds of people. The Trop location is a prime, central location that would also be perfect for community resources such as a recreation center, connected transportation, youth outreach programs, and business centers. Additionally, I’ll champion policy to expand public transportation options to connect all of our neighborhoods with fast, reliable transit
options. I would also support additional support from the city for our neighborhood associations, community organizations, and nonprofits so that we maintain the unique character of our city.
Q4 – Two ways I have previously worked to address race equity are: (1000 character limit)
I’m proud to work with our Police Athletic League so that young people in our community have positive interactions with our officers, build trust and understanding between the community and law enforcement, and give our youth a positive outlet and mentors as they grow.
I’ve also supported and volunteered for candidates who support equity. I believe we can do lots of positive work in our neighborhoods to promote race equity, but transformational change will only come if we have the political will, substantive policy objectives, and leaders who will carry those policies to fruition.
Q5 – Two ways I will collaborate with others to create more equitable systems are: (600 character limit)
Through investing in our schools and communities and lessening the divide between city hall and those who feel underrepresented in government. I’ll work with our community colleges, labor unions, and employers so that we can provide additional education and apprenticeships that help teach adults a trade so they can be economically self-sufficient. Additionally, I’ll have an open-door policy so I can hear from residents about what I can do to help them and their neighborhoods so we can ensure that St. Pete is working for everyone, not just a select few.
