The Issues

Public Safety and Policing

I am dedicated to creating a public safety policy that focuses on rebuilding our police force and also meets the wider needs of public safety outside of regular policing. With the correct guidance, we can revolutionize the Police Department, make sure it has the necessary funds, and provides reliable service around the clock.

I prioritize the following when it comes to public safety:

Making sure police staffing levels are able to respond to all types of service calls, including having social workers on hand if necessary.
I am a staunch supporter of the CAHOOTS model. We need to broaden resources within and outside of the Police Department to provide unarmed responses for non-violent service calls.
Confirming a permanent Police Chief.
Addressing racial prejudice in policing and in every part of city life.
Collaborating with existing street-level service providers who feel police assistance is necessary for their safety.
Ensuring that the Police Department has the most up-to-date de-escalation training possible.
Treating addiction as a public health crisis.

Affordable, Quality, and Fair Housing

As someone who has been both a renter and a homeowner in the East District, I have witnessed the urgent requirement for quality, affordable housing in our community - something that has become out of reach for most workers. Like many others, renters and homeowners included, I am disheartened that the housing issues Burlington has been facing for ages have only grown worse.

My priority is to:

Establish pathways to home ownership in a market that has made it inaccessible for many, particularly historically disadvantaged communities.
Develop affordable housing through progressive policy and the building of new housing. I am in favor of strong Inclusionary Zoning policies and the construction of housing for the working and middle-class.
Take a stand against NIMBY-ism by working together with all neighbors to show the necessity of new housing and our collective role in creating these opportunities.
Holding problematic landlords accountable and enforcing high standards for fair, livable, affordable housing.
Approaching housing solutions through a racial justice lens.

Property Taxes

We all know it’s expensive to live in Burlington, and property taxes are a major part of that expense.

The recent citywide reassessment was a shock to many neighbors. It has placed undue burden on residential property owners. I know that people have had to move out of Burlington because of the recent property tax increases. Property taxes matter to renters as well, since taxes are passed through to the cost of rent.

I support adjustments to assessed property values that are equitable and will advocate for the full implementation of a property tax relief fund. I also support an annual assessment adjustment so that increases are absorbed a little at a time as opposed to large changes once every ten years.

We need to spend tax dollars wisely, grow the grand list, and raise property taxes only when completely necessary

Supporting Burlington’s Unhoused Community

Empathy must be the driving force behind all decisions regarding our houseless community.

I will prioritize:

Supporting the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, recognizing that this is not a problem that Burlington can solve alone.
I will look critically and thoughtfully at both Housing First and Shelter First opportunities as a means to address basic housing needs, as stable housing is essential for supporting those with substance abuse and mental health challenges.
I will support expanded funding for the Howard Center Street Outreach Program and low-barrier shelters, as empathy must be at the core of every decision made.

Addiction and Mental Health

Burlington remains in the grip of an opioid addiction crisis. This is a problem with no single, easy solution. But I pledge to help address this issue by ensuring that those in our community suffering from addiction have access to the services they need. I support a Community Stat approach to reducing harm and preventing overdose deaths.

Climate Action

As Burlington leads the charge on climate action, I will prioritize meeting the goals laid out in the Net Zero Energy Roadmap and pursuing additional ways to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

My priority is to:

Advance District Heat and ensure larger institutions like UVM make concrete commitments to the needed infrastructure.
Commit American Rescue Plan Act funds (ARPA) to transition home heating away from fossil fuels and towards more sustainable solutions, such as heat pumps and weatherization.
Invest in water infrastructure in order to protect Lake Champlain and prevent future Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

Schools

I have a deep connection to the Burlington School system and education. I’m a former public school teacher, my wife Kate is the Co-Principal at Winooski Middle and High School, and all three of our children attend the Burlington public schools.

As your City Councilor, I will work closely with the School Board in building a new high school that meets the needs of our community and prioritize keeping the tax burden as low as possible. Providing world class education is essential to the future of our children and the future of Burlington.

Collaboration Over Dysfunction

As a Democrat, I vow to bridge the divide between various political affiliations, keeping my mind open and listening intently to the perspectives of all members of our community. It is imperative that we join forces, honoring compromise and treating one another with respect, while taking responsibility for our actions no matter our political beliefs. We must work together and embrace our differences in order to ensure a better future for Burlington.

Active Listening & Constituent Service

This campaign is centered around hearing your opinions and priorities. I am delighted to learn about the issues that matter to you and am open to conversation regarding my positions. I am a non-partisan, open-minded person who is eager to benefit from new perspectives. If elected, I will be an attentive representative and make sure that all requests for aid are dealt with promptly. Constituent service will be my highest priority.

Building Community Connections

My goal is to create and support programs and initiatives centered around the wonderfully diverse neighborhoods of the East District.

Neighborhood Bridges Initiative

I believe there is a great opportunity to build bridges between our student community and older residents. As your CIty Councilor, I will work to secure Councilor Initiative Funding to create grassroots programs, such as having students volunteer at our elderly housing communities, connecting students with residents who need help shoveling snow, and neighborhood clean-up events.

Economic Opportunities For Formerly Incarcerated People

Working with public and private partners locally and statewide, I want to help lead efforts to provide job and housing opportunities to formerly incarcerated people. As a defense attorney and former prosecutor, I know that public safety depends on providing those exiting the criminal justice system with a fair chance to turn their lives in a better direction.