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?
The recent federal executive order on homelessness emphasizes bans on public camping, loitering, and drug use, and conditions housing on mandatory treatment through civil commitment. This approach shifts away from “Housing First” models and risks criminalizing homelessness by prioritizing enforcement and coercion over stability and support.
Salem passed its own anti-camping ordinance in April 2024. There are some surface similarities: both discourage public camping and direct people toward shelter. But Salem’s ordinance was crafted to minimize harm. It only applies when shelter is available within a 15-mile radius, explicitly removed fines to avoid criminalizing poverty, and requires 24-hour notice and safekeeping of belongings before removal. It does not mandate treatment or institutionalization as a precondition for housing.
The key difference is that Salem attempted to balance public concerns with compassion, while the federal order turns enforcement into the central tool. Where the federal policy undermines Housing First, Salem’s ordinance still relies—at least implicitly—on ensuring shelter first.
If elected, I would advocate for strengthening Salem’s commitment to Housing First and to upstream solutions: expanding affordable housing, improving access to voluntary treatment and services, and partnering with providers to address root causes. We cannot police our way out of homelessness. Salem has shown it can draft ordinances with harm reduction in mind, and we should continue to move further toward policies that respect dignity while addressing community needs.
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 Since the federal government has withdrawn its support for combating climate change, including eliminating tax credits for wind and solar energy and halting federal permits for wind power, what would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’s withdrawal of tax credits for wind and solar, and its halting of federal wind permits, represents a setback that shifts more responsibility to local communities. Salem cannot wait for federal action—we must lead where others have stepped back.
Salem has already taken strong steps, including our leadership role in the Commonwealth Wind offshore project and commitments to electrifying municipal fleets. But we can go further. I would advocate for ensuring all new city and school buildings meet net-zero standards, retrofitting existing facilities with solar panels and geothermal systems where possible, and aggressively pursuing state-level funding to replace the lost federal incentives. This is especially urgent with school construction, where energy-efficient designs can reduce costs for decades while cutting emissions.
At the neighborhood level, I support expanding Salem’s green infrastructure: more tree canopy, flood-resilient stormwater systems, and microgrid development so that our residents are not left vulnerable in severe weather. We should also work with regional transit to reduce car dependency, linking climate action with affordability and accessibility.
The lesson of federal retreat is clear: if we want a livable future, Salem must act as if no one else will do it for us. Climate resiliency and green energy are not optional add-ons—they are foundational investments in our safety, economy, and children’s future.
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?
The loss of federal support for food programs and the closure of local resources like Daily Table reveal a dangerous truth: charitable models alone cannot guarantee food security. Salem needs to treat food access as essential infrastructure, much like clean water or public schools.
That means moving beyond ad hoc, stopgap responses and instead building systems that can scale with need, absorb shocks, and respect dignity. A strong local food system should rest on three pillars: stability, accessibility, and agency. Stability comes from ensuring we have regional supply chains and storage capacity that are not at the mercy of distant disruptions. Accessibility means lowering barriers to entry—placing healthy food within reach of every household, not just those who can drive across town. Agency means offering choice, so residents are not merely recipients of handouts but participants in their own nutrition.
I would work to build partnerships across city agencies, nonprofits, and local businesses to create resilient, coordinated networks that deliver not just calories but health and dignity. Salem can also leverage policy—such as zoning that supports urban agriculture, incentives for grocery access in underserved neighborhoods, and city-backed purchasing agreements that keep fresh food flowing even when federal support falters.
Food is not charity; it is infrastructure. By treating it that way, we ensure every resident has the security to thrive, even in times of crisis.
4. Do you support or oppose the plans to build a new high school in Salem 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?
I support the plan to build a new high school and the debt exclusion to fund it. This is not simply about bricks and mortar; it is about what kind of city we want to be. Salem cannot thrive if our young people are learning in outdated facilities that fail to reflect the skills and opportunities the future demands.
A new school represents more than classrooms—it’s an investment in equity, dignity, and community pride. When students walk into a building that tells them their education matters, that they are worthy of safe, modern, and inspiring spaces, it sends a message that resonates throughout their lives. It also strengthens our city’s future workforce and ensures Salem remains an attractive place for families to live.
There is also a financial reality: if we do not approve the debt exclusion, Salem risks losing state funding, which would leave us paying a greater share of the cost on our own. Delaying or rejecting the project could mean higher taxes later for less benefit.
My case to voters would be straightforward: investing now prevents higher costs later in repairs, lost opportunities, and diminished outcomes. This is not only about education—it is about economic resilience and community stability. A modern high school is a shared foundation. By choosing to build, we affirm our commitment to the next generation, and we declare that Salem’s future is worth the investment.
5. How do you plan to keep your constituents informed about policy issues before the City Council if you are elected?
Transparency is not just about sharing votes after the fact — it’s about explaining what a policy means before it’s decided. A newsletter or a quick update can keep people informed, but often what residents really need is a longer-form breakdown that lays out where a policy comes from, what legal and financial obligations it carries, and how it might affect Salem in practice.
I’ve tried to model that approach in my public writing. For example, when I discussed Salem’s sanctuary city ordinance, I didn’t just speak about values. I explained that under federal case law, an ICE detainer request is not a warrant — meaning that if Salem held someone at ICE’s request and ICE was wrong, the city itself would assume liability. Sharing that kind of context helps residents understand not only why a decision is being made but also what risks and responsibilities are involved.
As a councilor, I would continue this practice: using plain-language, longer-form explanations when needed, alongside newsletters, social media, and community meetings. Just as importantly, I see communication as two-way. Office hours, presence at community events, and open channels for questions ensure residents are not only informed but heard.
My goal is to make sure Salem residents can see both the principles and the practicalities behind policy — and feel equipped to shape the decisions that affect them.