PLATFORM #1 - ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

PARKS

 I fully support preservation & adequate maintenance of parks and open spaces. 

AG RESERVE

This Upcounty "crown jewel" has been protected for 70 years. It’s preservation is my priority. 

• Approve programs to address access, funding, equity & affordability for local producers.
• Provide funding to support a high school to college pathway for agricultural science....start developing the pipeline of farmers early.

CLIMATE

We are in a Climate Emergency. 

• Work with community partners to build a robust marketing & education campaign that is aggressive enough to reach BIPOC communities and address their issues & concerns. 
• Support funding to help under-resourced communities and small businesses transition to smart climate goals.
• Incorporate Global Warming as an equally critical component of the Climate Action Plan.
• Initiate a County Government measurement mechanism to track progress of climate action goals. As of right now,  we don't know if we are headed in the right direction. 
• Support an aggressive reforestation initiative to replace the canopy cover lost by county projects.

GUN VIOLENCE

I have a personal family history of gun violence survival. I am a  strong advocate and active #MomsDemand  volunteer. I am a recipient of Moms Demand Action's 2022 Gun Sense Candidate Distinction. I have a vested interest in achieving Public Safety issues & concerns for District 2.

• Fight for common-sense gun safety measures that will control who has access to guns.
• Continue to support and encourage gun safety and responsible gun ownership.I personally advocated for the Maryland General Assembly's recently passed Ghost Gun legislation. 

POLICE REFORM

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Implement the Police Accountability Act in full scope - this protects our residents.
• Adequately fund MCPD so that staffing, training, technology and facilities are at optimal levels - this protects everyone.
• Ensure adequate funding for programs that focus on institutions outside of the current traditional punishment and policing norms and support housing, education & health inequities to better understand challenges and foster safe & secure interactions in under-resourced communities.

FIRE & SAFETY

Support adequate funding to 

ensure:

• Firefighter safety, health & wellness
• Adequate resources to coordinate emergency responses.
• Team member retention

SMALL BUSINESS EMPOWERMENT

As a Minority and Women-owned  business owner, I am keenly aware of the existing gaps in our community. This is an important platform area for me.

• Ensure that Montgomery County has a functioning infrastructure that supports small business empowerment. As a member of the Gaithersburg Germantown Chamber of Commerce it is clear that our work is not done in advocating for resources that stimulate small business entrepreneurship.
• Invest in homegrown business development best practices.
• Provide access to capital and require tracking to ensure equitable access/award of County procurements to small businesses.

HIRING STANDARDS

• Ensure that Montgomery County's hiring standards for County-funded projects include intentional outreach to under-resourced communities.
• Provide adequate funding for investment in tech hub zones, job growth initiatives and workforce housing solutions. 

AFFORDABILITY/ACCESS

• Childcare
• Healthcare
• Housing

I strongly support livable wages and initiatives for rental housing, affordable homeownership, increased affordable housing development and preservation, affordable childcare and access to affordable healthcare.

I believe that our schools should be adequately resourced to meet the needs of all students.

Fully fund The Blueprint for Maryland's Future which will provide educators with what they need for quality instruction, a safe environment for all, adequate facilities and the tools for our youth to succeed beyond high school. Adequate funding will support:

• Livable Wages for teachers, bus drivers, para-educators, etc. is not political; it's a core basic need.
• Mental Health Resources for all
• Benefits for Substitute Teachers & Retirees
• Safety & Security for all
• Apprenticeship models for youth
• Training & Development for teachers

I have lived in District 2 for 35 years and have witnessed the growth & development that has put a strain on our infrastructure and environment. It's time to start caring about the kind of community we will leave for future generations.

• Support effective, efficient and equitable transit solutions, and work-from-home options, leading to faster commutes and lower emissions.
• Prioritize local projects, existing roadways...start a long term process to ultimately ease congestion while at the same time protecting homes, forestland, parks and streams. 
• Support the BRT network in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.  I favor dedicated lanes for buses on BRT networks, where it is practical. 
• Support bicycle & pedestrian networks in District 2's heavily-populated areas like Clarksburg and Germantown.
• For all the above reasons, I am opposed to building proposed Midcounty Highway Extended/M83, since it would be a polluting climate disaster, and a disservice to Upcounty communities' needs for transit, safe walkability, and clean streams and forests in all our neighborhoods.

ALL communities in District 2 matter. I fully commit to supporting allocation of funds to address resources and facilities; particularly in Poolesville and Clarksburg communities.