Questions and Answers - or -
Stances on Community Issues
No one person is going to have the whole answer to any of our challenges.
The only way we’re going to meet our challenges is together. My job is to come to the table prepared for a well-reasoned discussion and to make sure that every member of our community has a seat at that table as well.
Now, I hope my responses to these questions provide a positive addition to community discussion and provide some insight into my priorities and thought processes so that your decision on election day is made a little easier.
01
What do you think about the roundabout?
We can do better. The original premise was the danger our kids face crossing the five-way intersection. But the approved solution takes residents’ property, cuts down our trees, will likely cost PG $5 million over the TAMC Measure X funds, and removes all stop signs to allow the free-flow of traffic—the result being our kids in more danger, not less. Our children's lives are worth more than $5 million in "free" TAMC funds.
Our best outcome must involve our children being safer in the future than they are today.
My proposal is to stop the roundabout project and refocus on school pedestrian safety. Measure X even has a $20 million Safe Routes to Schools investment plan for exactly this kind of project. It’s interesting how often the problem and the solution are standing right next to each other.
02
What about the ATC?
This question is the easiest way to start a fight in PG.
I’m not a fan of the ATC project. Like many in 2016, I supported the idea of a boutique hotel and voted to rezone the ATC. But now, I’m feeling the same buyer’s remorse as others.
We need revenue, and the ATC was underutilized, but this project comes at a high environmental cost. It’s led to the removal of 79 trees, including 59 protected Monterey Cypresses, and threatens the seal colony at Hopkins Cove. Our infrastructure can’t handle the impact, the city is already out $102,000, and instead of a boutique hotel we’re getting a massive complex that doesn’t fit with the character of PG.
We extended our trust, hoping to enhance our neighborhood, but it feels like that trust was taken advantage of. We’ve seen developers push boundaries again and again, even to the point of wanting the city to give away our movie theater through eminent domain.
If we keep developing in ways that don’t honor the unique charm of our town, we risk losing what makes Pacific Grove special—and along with it our community, our visitors, and our identity. And once that’s gone, no amount of revenue can bring it back.
03
What types of policies would you like to see implemented once you are seated?
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Environment
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A Ballot Measure that makes George Washington Park a preserve, protecting the flora and fauna of our last 20 acres of native Monterey Pine forest and the very first state recognized Monarch Butterfly overwintering site. We’re making great progress on rejuvenating GWP as a Monarch overwintering site again, by the way!
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Creation of a greenspaces coalition within PG.
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Improve our water sequestration systems to prevent runoff from entering the bay and reduce our water consumption.
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Begin work on putting PG’s electrical backbone underground, but making sure it accessible enough for regular maintenance. This would be part of my proposed Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
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Fund a Forest Management Department within the City of Pacific Grove to maintain and improve our canopy, forest health, wildlife conditions and lead environmental public education. This is in an early, formative phase but requires a great deal of development.
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Transparency
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Creation of a Communication Management Plan for informing all stakeholders of government actions and outcomes.
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A regular public outreach meeting where the public brings forth any issue.
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Although the current Code of Conduct for City
Council or Board and Commission members is not bad, I would like to expand it to include clear procedures for violations, as well as guidelines for transparency and public inclusion.
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Quality of Life
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No mega-complexes policy.
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Create a phased Climate Change Adaptation Plan to manage a structured reaction to climate change.
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Create better Human Trafficking awareness and prevention measures.
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Embark on a beautification and restoration program.
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04
Do you support reducing the number of City Councilmembers from six to four?
Every challenge is an opportunity. And although challenging, district-based elections provide an opportunity to better represent our community.
I will admit that I initially came from a place of fear on this issue. I was preoccupied by what could go wrong. When I dared to hope that we could make our community better—that we could better represent our Pagrovian values—that is when I found my way with the issue.
So, how do we make things better? What is our best possible outcome?
This is where we need to place our focus, our energy, and our actions. Our best outcome would necessarily result in the most representation for the most people. This points to six council members—and therefore six districts—being superior to four.
The challenge in having more districts is that this path requires a greater degree of civic participation. But the benefits of rising to this challenge are that the voices of our community are better represented, heard and acted upon. And there is no other community that I would trust more to rise to this challenge. With our volunteerism, our community pride, and our shared love of PG, we are more than capable of rising to the challenge of showing up for our neighbors.
Let’s not be led by fear, but instead trust in our ability to stand by our community, show up when needed, and create a better future. We may be districted, but nothing will ever divide us.
If you haven't read the City Council Agenda describing the issue in greater detail, you can read it in the linked text here.
