A MESSAGE FROM ME ABOUT THE ISSUES FACING OUR CITY

As we approach the next Council Term, I will continue to address those issues I campaigned on:

COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN
The process of updating and re-writing the City’s Comprehensive Master Plan has begun with a Request for Proposals from consultants.  Are we going to double down with our current focus on growth and development or are we going to finally shift our priorities to preservation and maintaining our quality of life? Over the years, residents have waged battles, particularly against high-density development, choosing preservation and maintaining our quality of life.  Are we going to ensure that preservation and maintaining our City’s character remain our primary focus, requiring growth and development to be complimentary to that focus?  I am committed to just that.  
 
A WAR ON OUR HISTORIC DISTRICT
Make no mistake about it…Our Historic District is under attack.   There is a group in the City seeking to dismantle the Historic District, and the Commission that oversees it, claiming it’s unfair to regulate development, design, and construction among our historic properties throughout Old Mandeville.  If you support that position, I’m not your candidate.  I will fight those attempts with all I have and will fight to preserve and protect our Historic Old Mandeville for us and for future generations.  
 
SHORELINE PROTECTION
As we focus on shoreline protection, an issue concerning an entire City, are we going to commit to natural solutions in restoring and protecting our Historic Lakefront such as returning to a living shoreline, bringing back trees and vegetation, and exploring offshore solutions to provide protection while maintaining our status as the only community in the area with such a direct physical and visual connection with the water? Are we going to succumb to gray solutions such as walls, pumps, and levees?  I will continue to fight for the former.  
 
MAINTAINING OUR FINANCIAL STRENGTH
As insurance, labor, goods and service costs continue rise across the country how is the City going to maintain its status as one of, if not the most, financially stable, 100% debt free municipalities in the State? Are we going to succumb to fear and panic, forming new commissions of unelected appointees to control of the City’s finances or are we going to require our elected Council Members to do their jobs and work with the Administration to pass balanced budgets as we have for the past 4 budget cycles?  If you attended or watched the Council Meeting this past November 16, you know where I stand on this issue and why.  If you didn’t, I suggest you watch that meeting (available on the City’s website).  I do not support the creation of a new unelected commission to manage the City’s finances as we should ask those elected to live up to their responsibilities outlined in the Charter.

OUR SMALL BUSINESSES
How are we going to support our local, family owned, small businesses that are so critical to the character and quality of life in our town?  Are we going to seek ways to help our local small businesses flourish or are we going to encourage growth and large-scale development that make it difficult for them to survive?  I am 100% committed to our local, family owned, small business and will continue to fight for ways to aid in their success.  

PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS
Over the past term, the Mayor and Council have worked together to purchase numerous tracts of land and properties throughout the area to preserve and protect natural drainage, maintain green space, expand our cemetery, and maintain our quality of life.  I’m proud to have worked with Mayor Madden and Council Member McGuire with these acquisitions and am committed to continuing that effort.  I remain committed to exploring additional opportunities to acquire properties for the purpose of retaining and expanding our canopy and greenspace, recreation, and drainage.

ELECTRONIC SIGNAGE AND BILLBOARDS
 
At the beginning of my first term, our Council was presented with a proposal from Councilman Danielson to extend the period of time to phase out completely electronic signage, message boards, and billboards within the City limits.  This issue has a long history with the citizens of Mandeville, expressing passionate opposition to allowing these types of signage, not wanting our town to look like many areas on the Southshore.  It was presented as an attempt to hold off the phase out of these while we re-evalutated the ban and types of electronic signage that might not be so bad.  I saw this as an attempt to undo what had been previously done, decided upon, and phased out per the will of the people.  As such, I aggressively fought this proposal.  I still suspect that wasn't the last time this issue will arise...I believe the people have already spoken on this matter.