Repairing roads, filling potholes, adding speed bumps, and installing crosswalks are essential to keeping our neighborhoods safe and functional. Other basic services like trash collection, clean water, and access to parks and libraries are critical for a high quality of life. Providing these services isn’t just the role of city government—it’s our responsibility to deliver them with excellence.
As your city councilmember, I’ve focused on solving the everyday problems that most impact residents. Whether patching potholes, improving intersections, or responding to concerns about street safety, I’ve made it my mission to ensure the city delivers on the basics. For example, I launched Pothole Palooza, a targeted effort to address the public’s top concern—potholes. This initiative showcased the city’s commitment to road repairs and highlighted our progress.
I’ve also followed up on the promises of Tacoma’s Streets Initiative, ensuring that the public sees the value of their investment in maintaining and improving city streets. These efforts reflect my belief that the best way to build trust in city government is by delivering on what people expect—core services they rely on daily.
A Commitment to Safer and More Accessible Sidewalks
Sidewalks are a key part of a well-functioning city, providing safe and accessible ways for people to get around. During my Walk Across Tacoma, I heard directly from residents about the importance of improving sidewalks and making it easier for everyone—seniors, families with young children, and individuals with disabilities—to move safely through their neighborhoods.
In response, I rewrote the Transportation Benefit District to dedicate funding specifically to repairing sidewalks and improving accessibility across Tacoma for the first time. These investments reflect my commitment to efficient government services and ensuring our infrastructure meets the needs of all residents. Safe, well-maintained, and ADA-compliant sidewalks are essential for creating a city where everyone can get around easily, no matter how they choose to travel.
As mayor, I will continue prioritizing sidewalk improvements as a critical part of investing in core services. This means expanding accessibility, creating walkable neighborhoods, and ensuring every part of Tacoma benefits from these improvements. Safe sidewalks are a quality-of-life issue and a way to connect people to schools, parks, businesses, and public transit.
Restoring Trust in Government Services
I’ve heard from residents in every neighborhood of Tacoma that people want the basics done right: safe sidewalks, clean streets, and responsive city services. They’re not asking for extravagance—they want their tax dollars to be used effectively. Unfortunately, trust in city government is at an all-time low because these expectations are often unmet.
Improving the delivery of core services is the most direct way to restore that trust. When residents see potholes filled quickly, clean streets and parks, and responsive public safety services, they believe the city is working for them. This sense of trust encourages investment in our community, attracts businesses, and makes Tacoma a place where families want to live, work, and raise their children.
As mayor, I will focus on:
- Investing in Core Services: Prioritizing the services we already provide—like road maintenance, trash collection, public safety, and sidewalk repairs—so every neighborhood receives the same high level of service, no matter where they are in the city.
- Ensuring Accountability: Demonstrating that tax dollars are being used efficiently and effectively. I’ll work to improve service delivery and make sure the city responds to residents’ concerns promptly.
- Building Trust Through Action: Showing residents that the city can address their needs. From road repairs to public safety to sidewalks, delivering on these promises will rebuild belief in city government and create momentum for growth and improvement.
Improving government services is not just about doing better today—it’s about preparing for the future. By upgrading infrastructure and addressing long-term needs in transportation, housing, and public utilities, we can ensure Tacoma is ready to grow while maintaining a high quality of life for all residents.
I am deeply committed to making sure no neighborhood is left behind. Every resident deserves access to safe sidewalks, clean business districts, and responsive city services. My goal as mayor will be to focus on the basics, do them well, and ensure the city delivers on its commitments. That’s how we build trust, attract investment, and make Tacoma a better place for everyone.
