Occupation: Marketing and public relations for All Star Driving school. Music teacher. Local Business owner.

Relevant experience: Administrative assistant, Hewlett Packard Finance Department, Spring, Texas. Microbiology Department administrative assistant and grant writer, University of Texas McGovern Medical School. Singers Company Director, Aberdeen. Business administrator for All Star Driving School, Aberdeen.

Describe your thoughts on the city’s response to the complex homeless issue, including its purchase of the S. Michigan St. property, its handling of federal court rulings directing the city’s response, and what you, as a city council member, would do to tackle the issue over the next several years.

In my opinion, the city has gotten itself into some trouble with the handling of the “homeless issue”. Solving homelessness is not a task the city can or should take on alone. As we saw during last week’s council meeting, the public was not supportive of the move and purchasing the S. Michigan street property was done quite hastily. Thankfully, the city council listened to the public in absence of the mayor and declined to grant the one year temporary use permit for the TASL on that property, 10-1. We have spent in excess of $700,000 from the purchase of the original riverfront property, the lawsuits, setting up the TASL on the city hall parking lot, buying the Michigan Street property and clearing it, the list goes on. There are problems with the camp the size it is now. Tripling the size of the camp would just mean three times the problems, with all the liability on the city. Unfortunately we have a drug problem as much or more than we do a homeless problem, which needs addressing. The Mission and Friendship House, for example, have had openings most days of the last two weeks but a number of our current “homeless” do not want to abide by the rules (no drugs) imposed in exchange for shelter. As a city council member I would make a dedicated effort to work with county and state legislative representatives to seek the mental health services needed for those who are not being served by agencies already in place. I would also hope to work on issues surrounding the growth of the drug culture that is sadly thriving here.

2. The city is moving forward with its quest for a City Administrator. Do you believe such a hire is a good investment for the city? Do you support the idea of a City Administrator?

I think this is something that should be evaluated after January 2020 when the election is over and depending on who will be the mayor. I think it could be helpful as we do not have a full time mayor currently, but I also think it is a costly position that I do not have enough information at the present time to determine if it is a necessity worth justifying the cost of a six-figure salary.

3. Aberdeen faces a lot of complicated issues in the coming years (infrastructure improvements, catching up with a constantly changing economy, lack of affordable housing, etc.). As a council member, what would you do to address what you feel is the most pressing issue facing the city in the near future.

We really need to grow our economy in Aberdeen, which I addressed in the July questionnaire I submitted back to The Daily World. I still feel a paint the corridor project would do much to brighten the blighted buildings in and around town. With the movement of the TASL to downtown at city hall we have had increased crime and foot traffic that does not belong in our residential areas. This needs addressing urgently.

Unfortunately we are facing a significant utility rate increase over the next four years to pay for needed infrastructure improvements to the sanitary sewer, domestic water and stormwater utility services. This will effectively double the cost of water/sewer utilities for most Aberdeen residents. I was in attendance at the July 31st presentation to the city council and the same presentation was given to those in attendance at city council on Oct. 9. I am dismayed that we have not been strategically planning for this for years as it has certainly been a known issue. The second reading for this proposed increase will be on Oct. 23 and I encourage residents to ask questions of your current council members, and attend the next city council meeting.

We face many challenges but we also have great opportunities in Aberdeen and I look forward to working with the city staff, mayor and council to see the continued growth and success of our community.