What I Stand For
One of the great things about living in Montgomery County is that we share a set of key values. We strongly believe in education and providing opportunities for our children. We celebrate our diversity and protect our immigrant populations. We support our most vulnerable residents and help them to become more economically secure. We protect our environment, invest in the arts and humanities, and ensure that we live in a safe place.
However, Montgomery County is at a crossroads.We are now a community of over 1 million people and our needs often exceed our collective resources. Not only do we continue to grow, we continue to change. Montgomery County is known as one of the wealthiest and highly educated counties in the nation. While many residents enjoy a high standard of living, not all residents have the same economic opportunities. The disparity in income in the County has grown over the past twenty years which has created new challenges.
While some recognize these economic shifts, not everyone is willing to acknowledge that the County has changed. Everyone has their own perception of what our County is, or how they would like it to be. Our reference points differ depending on when we moved to the County or what is like when we were growing up here. Nostalgia can be comforting at times, but we cannot base our future on days gone by.
We need to be forward-focused as we accept the change that is upon us. To do so, I will work to strengthen those things we do right and scrap those things that have not served us well. I will look for innovative ideas to address the needs of our entire community and identify metrics to ensure that we are using taxpayer dollars wisely.
I love our community, it is my home and I work hard to make sure that our community reflects our values. Although there is an endless number of issues that are important to the quality of life in our community, I will begin by focusing on the following:
Education
Our greatest asset is our educational system. We need to ensure that all children have equal access to the education they deserve.
- Ensure that our K-12 system remains world-class.
- Invest in early childhood education.
- Provide a comprehensive skills-based education system for students who choose not to attend a standard four-year college.
- Support Montgomery College and ensure that no one is denied access due to income constraints.
Jobs and the Economy
An expanded, robust economy is crucial to our success through individual jobs and the tax revenue necessary to support our County.
- Provide access to the resources residents and local businesses need to recover from the pandemic.
- Reclaim Montgomery County’s preeminence in the BioTech Industry.
- Increase attraction and retention efforts to bring more businesses and jobs to the Upcounty.
- Foster a climate where entrepreneurs can create, thrive, and scale their businesses here in Montgomery County.
- Ensure that we have a workforce that is ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
Planning for the Future
We need to celebrate our growth and focus on creating the infrastructure needed to accommodate an increasing population.
- Identify ways to provide sustainable housing options for all our residents.
- Support transit-oriented, mixed-use development for future growth.
- Invest in transportation projects that will yield both short and long-term relief, such as increased capacity on I-270 and completion of Snowden Farm Parkway.
- Recognize that different areas of the County required different planning, zoning, and transportation options.
- Protect our Agricultural Reserve.
Join me as we look forward in creating our future together.
