Where I Stand
My approach is simple: listen, look at the numbers, understand the long-term impact, and make decisions based on what is best for Forest Grove.
Forest Grove families and businesses have budgets. Our City should too.
There will always be more things we would like to do than money available to do them. City Council has a responsibility to establish priorities and distinguish between what we need, what we want, and what we can realistically afford.
I support economic development. I want companies investing in Forest Grove, creating good jobs, strengthening local businesses, and broadening our tax base.
But I do not believe every development is automatically good economic development simply because the investment number is large. Public incentives, industrial land, infrastructure, and electrical capacity all have value. Residents deserve to understand what the community receives in return.
I strongly support our police officers and believe they deserve facilities that allow them to safely and effectively serve our community.
Supporting law enforcement does not require accepting every proposed price tag without scrutiny. For major capital investments, I want to see the demonstrated need, alternatives, financing cost, long-term operating expense, and total impact on taxpayers.
We can support public safety and protect taxpayers at the same time.
Small businesses help define Forest Grove. They create jobs, support local organizations, participate in community events, and keep money circulating locally.
As a business owner, I understand payroll, inventory, financing, employees, rising costs, and uncertainty. Forest Grove should continually ask: Are we making it easier or harder to start, operate, and grow a business here?
Major government decisions should be understandable to the people paying for them.
Transparency is not an inconvenience. It is part of earning the public’s trust.