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Plans and Priorities

​Put a Full-Time Mayor Back in Office

Being Mayor is a full-time job. In fact, it should be a lifestyle one leads, willing to serve where needed and help when called. Your Mayor should be focused on working for you and our community, not distracted by another full-time job or business ventures. I will be in the office and working for Yelm every day, just as  I was during my first term. That is what Yelm deserves. Real change only happens when we're willing to put in the work. 
Control the Rampant Growth

I will work with City Council and the Planning Commission to create guidelines for planned, sustainable growth while providing services to the citizens who live here now. 
We need a balance between enough affordable housing to support the citizens of Yelm and enough businesses to provide a thriving economy with which to provide services and amenities for everyone.
Improve Traffic
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  • ​I will advocate with State and Federal partners to bring improvements to State Highways 507 and 510 as they go through Yelm. I will keep the fire under our legislators to keep their promises to Yelm.
  • The bypass, roundabouts and 5-corners (Bald Hill Rd), Vail and 507 (above Stewart's Meats), and 507 and 702 (McKenna Y) will drastically improve day-to-day flow of traffic through Yelm into Pierce County. These improvements are in the State's transportation budget (again), but they need to be prioritized and not be pushed aside for other "more important" state projects. I will keep these issues on the front-burner. 
  • I will continue to work locally to create safe and efficient connections to improve traffic flows. During my time on council and first term as Mayor, we created "mini-loops" such as the connection of West Rd through to Stevens, and Mosman connecting to Longmire by the Golf Course. These allow drivers to bypass Yelm Ave during busy times. I will work toward more of these connections. 
  • I will make walking safer with improved roadways and sidewalks connecting people to places without cars. 
  • Every development that gets approved will build more interconnected sidewalks and provide space for neighborhood parks. That is a zoning and building code we created years ago that I will ensure is enforced. 
Ensure Safe, Reasonably Priced Water

Water rates were way too high when I took office in 2016. I worked with the water department and billing to create a more fair schedule. We have excellent-quality, safe drinking water. It is expensive to provide the infrastructure to produce and deliver this water, and we should all use it wisely. Overwatering your yard or not correcting leaks will cost more. Accidents can be expensive, but the city can and should work with a property owner to correct and solve problems and reduce penalties. 
Support Schools

The city government does not have direct control over the budget or operations of the school district. However, I will work with the school board and superintendent to create a safe learning environment for our students. We can increase the School Resource Officer program, support the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs with internships, and co-sponsor financial literacy programs for students and their families. 
Support the Business Community

I will find ways to make it easier for businesses to work with the city. A large portion of our revenue comes from sales tax and Business and Operations tax. Supporting our local businesses is key to increasing that income while providing jobs and opportunities for residents. 
The Chamber of Commerce, Thurston Economic Development Council, Small Business Administration and many other groups can and should be supported by the city. Under my leadership, every business's conversation with City Hall will start with a "YES" and we will work together to find success. 
Bring Accountability to City Hall

We won't just have Town-Halls where a handful of people are fed what the City wants them to hear. I want robust congregations of citizens, voters, and regional residents to create a plan that works for our future. It's time to create a new "Vision Plan" for Yelm and decide, as a community, what we want Yelm to look like in 25 years and beyond. 
I aim to restart programs like Yelm University and provide other learning opportunities for citizens to become informed and involved in local government. 
Support All Our Employees

From public facing Law Enforcement and Public Works to those behind the scenes workers who keep us running, all are valuable members of our city team. Employees who are, and feel, valued are more likely to stay with us and provide a higher level of service. The Mayor should be shoulder-to-shoulder with all of our employees. You don't know what all they do until you've opened up a STEP tank to scrape  up the fats, oils, and grease that clog a septic system!
Support Our Veterans

As a Veteran myself, I know what it feels like to transition from military life to a civilian world that is hard to relate to. It's a challenge that the city can absolutely help with by being involved with JBLM leadership, South Sound Military Communities Partnership (SSMCP), and transition teams like WorkEx to provide opportunities for our service members and their families. Yelm is a Great American Defense Community and a Purple Heart City for a reason. So many of our families are or were in the military and have chosen Yelm as their forever home, because we have made them feel welcome. We can, and will, do more. 
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