1. In light of a recent federal executive order on homelessness that incentivizes local policies to ban outdoor camping and to require mental health and substance use treatment, how would you assess Salem’s responses to people experiencing homelessness, and what would you plan to do if elected?
Homelessness demands a response that’s both compassionate and practical. That’s why I supported Salem’s camping ordinance, which requires shelter and storage to be available before camping is restricted. The reality is clear: people sleeping outside face far worse outcomes, from higher victimization to higher risk of death.
We also have a responsibility to protect our public spaces. An encampment in the Point turned a children’s playground into a biohazard, and that can’t happen again. Parks and playgrounds must remain safe and open for the community.
We need more low-barrier shelter, more access to treatment and mental health care, and more affordable housing so fewer people fall into homelessness in the first place. Punishment won’t solve this crisis. Housing and services will.
I know that Salem will continue to meet this challenge with compassion and common sense.
2. Since the federal government has withdrawn its support for combating climate change, including eliminating tax credits for wind and solar energy and halting federal permits for wind power, what would you propose the city do to mitigate climate change and its effects locally?
The federal government may have stepped back from climate action, but Salem can’t. We’re a coastal city already living with flooding, rising seas, and stronger storms. The cost of doing nothing will be far greater than the cost of preparation.
That’s why I support Salem’s clean energy initiatives, including and especially the offshore wind marshalling facility on Derby Street. Offshore wind will not only reduce emissions but also bring jobs and investment to our city. We also need to rebuild seawalls, use permeable materials in vulnerable areas, and strengthen stormwater systems to protect our neighborhoods. And we should keep making Salem a more walkable city, cutting emissions while improving quality of life.
Salem has a strong climate action plan, and I’ll keep pushing for action, securing resources, and making sure vulnerable neighborhoods are protected first. I’ve been proud to support and help pass the wetlands protection ordinance, the green building ordinance, and the TIE that allowed the wind marshalling facility to move forward.
3. With the loss of federal grants and funding for food pantries, and the closure of Daily Table, what ideas do you have for helping residents who are food insecure?
I’ve been proud of Salem’s Summer Eats program, which provided free meals all summer in public spaces across the city. It showed how local government can step up and meet immediate needs while building stronger, healthier communities. With the loss of federal funding and the closure of Daily Table, that kind of leadership is needed more than ever.
We need to strengthen partnerships with local food pantries and nonprofits to ensure they have the resources to meet rising demand. The city can help by coordinating efforts, connecting organizations, and making sure residents know how to access support. We should also expand programs that bring healthy, affordable food directly into neighborhoods, from mobile markets to community fridges. And we need to invest in long-term solutions, supporting school meals, community gardens, and local agriculture that ties food access to sustainability.
This work has to be about equity. Food insecurity doesn’t affect everyone equally, and we need to make sure vulnerable families and seniors are prioritized.
As councillor, I’ll keep working to make sure no one in Salem goes hungry and that food security remains a core part of building a stronger, more inclusive community.
4. Do you support or oppose the plans to build a new high school inSalem and the debt exclusion proposal to allow Salem to fund its share of the cost of the new school? Why or why not? What points would you make to communicate with Salem voters about this project?
Yes, I support building a new Salem High School and the debt exclusion to fund it. My kids will probably attend this school, and like every parent I want them learning in a building that prepares them for the future, not one that holds them back.
A high school is a community hub. It belongs to the whole city. It’s a source of pride, a place where we come together for games, performances, and civic events. Salem deserves a school that reflects that role and gives our kids the opportunities they deserve.
The current school is outdated and no longer meets the needs of students or teachers. A new high school will bring modern classrooms, labs, arts spaces, and athletic facilities that match the ambition of our kids.
5. How do you plan to keep your constituents informed about policy issues before the City Council if you are elected?
I keep residents informed through my monthly newsletter, where I’ve written about the structure of Salem’s city government, explained how an ordinance gets passed, answered common questions around parking, and provided monthly updates on initiatives before the Council. My goal is to make city government understandable and accessible to everyone.
For the last six years, I’ve also made it a point to respond to every email, phone call, or text I receive, no matter the politics of the person reaching out. People deserve to know their councillor will listen, even when we disagree.
I bring intellectual curiosity and a willingness to talk to anyone to this role. That means asking questions, hearing different perspectives, and making sure decisions are grounded in openness and fairness.
At the end of the day, government works best when residents know what’s happening and feel included in the process. I’ll continue making transparency and communication a core part of serving Salem.