The Issues
Keep Sterling Heights Safe
Some candidates have advocated for a volunteer fire department, and further cuts to our police. Not me. I know how important it is to protect and expand these life-saving services.
Cuts would harm response times and endanger public safety. That’s why instead I advocated for the Safe Streets millage, and voted to hire 14 more firefighters, 15 more police officers, and 2 social work case managers to keep our residents safe.
Even with these additions, there is still more work to do. Our city still has 10 fewer police officers than before the Great Recession. I won’t stop fighting until our police department returns to full strength, ensuring that Sterling Heights remains one of America’s safest cities.
Expanded EMS Response
I understand that in an emergency, every second counts. That’s why I voted to hire 14 more firefighters to man our expanded city ambulance fleet.
Public Safety is my first priority, since I know that our residents rely on our award-winning fire and police services to keep them safe. While other candidates want to make cuts to public safety, and go to a volunteer fire department, I will always vote to protect and expand these life-saving services.
Creation of a Southern Recreation Center
I have long advocated for a southern recreation center for our youth. Currently, all city facilities are located near Dodge Park, and can be a hassle to reach, especially during rush hour.
That’s not good enough for our children. We need parks that are accessible in every part of our city, so that every child can play right in their neighborhood.
A City for Everyone
Having chosen to make my home here, I know that diversity is one of Sterling Heights’ great strengths. Our city’s openness to residents from around the globe coupled with our low taxes and excellent services make Sterling Heights a destination for young families and new citizens alike.
More Trails & Parks
In the last few years, several proposals have come before council to expand our parks and trail system. I fully support the creation of additional trails and the linkage of our park system to the Iron-Belle Trail.
That’s why I wrote and supported the Pathway to Play and Preservation millage which will plant 15,000 trees, fix our sidewalks without assessments, preserve green space, add 12 miles of new trail, and build 2 brand new parks
I also voted for the Delia Park to Beaumont Hospital non-motorized trail and have advocated for an additional path and non-linear park to be built in the 15 1/2 Mile Relief Drain.
Trails and parks increase our property values, encourage exercise, and make Sterling Heights a more desirable place to live.
Expanded & Improved Sidewalk Replacement
A truly multi-modal city requires sidewalks for residents to use. I have long been an advocate of expanding and improving our sidewalk replacement plan.
With the passage of the Pathways to Play and Preservation millage, sidewalk special assessments have ended and replacement is now the city’s responsibility. We now are working to fill priority gaps on major roads.
Eventually, our sidewalk program should be expanded to neighborhoods that lack sidewalks altogether, especially if there is a school nearby. Sidewalks make neighborhoods safer and more walkable and should be a city priority.
Better Code Enforcement
In a city of our size, there are always a few people that don’t properly care for their homes, harming all of our property values. That’s why I’ve fought to hire 5 more Code Enforcement Officers to fight blight, making sure Sterling Heights remains beautiful.
Voted Against the Priority Waste Refuse Contract
When evaluating garbage proposals, I wasn’t sure Priority Waste — an untested company — would be able to follow through on their 10 year commitment to Sterling Heights.
So I was one of two members of city council to vote against the refuse contract because I know how important a reliable waste hauler is to our community.
Create a Stormwater Utility
I have long advocated for the creation of a stormwater utility to properly apportion the millions of dollars the city spends on stormwater infrastructure every year.
Without a long term plan and funding source — and with heavier rain events yearly — our stormwater infrastructure will continue to deteriorate without intervention.
This utility would be tasked with creating an asset management plan to ensure that we prevent flooding and maintain and improve our current infrastructure.
Against Mass Surveillance
I’ve repeatedly voted against FLOCK cameras because they are an intrusive all-encompassing way to monitor both residents and visitors.
In other states and countries these cameras have been used to track down protesters, arrest opposition members, and surveil the public.
It is my belief that law-abiding citizens have a right to privacy, and the city should not be keeping a 30 day record of your car’s movements within our borders.
Repeal the Fireworks Law
Fireworks disturb our city’s tranquility, terrorize our pets, and upset veterans.
As a Councilman, I wrote and passed the most restrictive consumer fireworks ordinance in the state. Sadly—because our city’s hands are tied by the state legislature—it doesn’t go far enough.
I promise to continue to push our legislators in Lansing to completely repeal the consumer fireworks law, and restore peace to our neighborhoods.
Make Voting Easier
I was proud to sponsor the Sterling Heights budget amendment that allowed absentee ballots to be returned to the city postage-free. I also fought for our 5 local ballot drop-boxes throughout the city. I firmly believe we should do everything we can to make voting as easy and hassle-free as possible.
Public Art
As a huge advocate of public art, I have led the way on the city council in helping to transform vacant walls and unused areas into engaging, beautiful public spaces.
Public Art speaks to the city’s aspirations, and brightens up residents’ days. With a very small investment, art improves our city’s images and beautifies often blank spaces. I’m proud to support it.
Supporter of LGBTQ+ Rights
Since before I was on Council, I have been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ Rights. Everyone has a right to be free of discrimination if they live and work in Sterling Heights.
That’s why I opposed the repeal of our city’s 2014 Human Rights Ordinance. And that’s why I voted to pass a new Human Rights Ordinance in 2021 to ensure that discrimination, bigotry, and animus have no place in Sterling Heights.
I’m proud to live in a vibrant, diverse, welcoming city, where everyone is included.
Create a Stormwater Utility
I have long advocated for the creation of a stormwater utility to properly apportion the millions of dollars the city spends on stormwater infrastructure every year.
Without a long term plan and funding source — and with heavier rain events yearly — our stormwater infrastructure will continue to deteriorate without intervention.
This utility would be tasked with creating an asset management plan to ensure that we prevent flooding and maintain and improve our current infrastructure.
Voted Against the City Manager’s $38,000 raise.
Sterling Heights has a great city manager and our government is run very efficiently. However, during the pandemic, with an unsure budget, it was not the time to give a pay raise to our most senior employee.
That’s why I voted against raising the City Manager’s pay by nearly $38,000 a year. As I said in the meeting, “the move was almost a slap in the face to struggling residents, whose lives are on hold because of the pandemic.”