1. How many years have you lived in Maine?
I have lived in Maine for twenty-eight (out of thirty) years. I was born and raised in Penobscot County. After graduating high school in 1995 I attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle for three semesters before joining the Unites States Army. After leaving the Army in 2000 I returned to Portland and have lived here ever since.
2. What experiences, motivations, and leadership styles will make you an effective City Councilor?
Since The League started back in 2004, I have immersed myself in Portland's political scene.  As a community organizer for The League, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Portlanders face-to-face and talk to them about issues that really mattered to them.  I have gained the ability to organize people around pertinent local issues, helping them to connect with decision makers and spur progress and change. As an elected official, I foresee myself continuing to engage the community as an accessible and passionate leader.     
3. If elected, what would your top three priorities be? How do they affect Portlanders aged 18-35?
When elected, my top priorities will be investing in public transit, boosting the local economy and supporting equality for all.
As a 30-year-old bike commuter in Portland, I see an urgency to make commuting more accessible, safe and reliable.  I encourage Portland to invest in integrating the recommendations of the Peninsula Transit Study, which suggests ways of making Portland more commuter-friendly.
In regards to the local economy, I would like to see us look within.  Portland has a very vibrant artistic community. Located in the heart of town, Maine College of Art produces forty-five graduates on average each year; however, we do not have jobs to keep them here.  I will look for ways to create more opportunities for artists to not only make a living but thrive in Portland. 
Portland has a very diverse community but it is not reflected within our decision-making bodies.  For example, many non-citizen residents in Portland pay taxes and have children in our school systems, yet legally have no say in legislative decisions.  Over 50% of the students at Reiche School come from immigrant and refugee families, but many of their parents cannot even vote, let alone sit on the School Committee. All people of Portland deserve equal representation when it comes to making decisions which effect our lives.  By means of a Charter Commission, we can and should reinstate the right to vote on city-wide issues to all residents of Portland.
4. Please share one positive change you have seen on City Council AND in Portland over the last year?
The most positive change I have seen in the last year has been Kevin Donoghue's effort to shift the focus of transportation issues from getting more cars into Portland by way of highway expansion to emphasizing public and alternative transportation.  The best document to come out of the Council in the past year is the Portland Peninsula Transit Study.



5. Please share one frustrating change you have seen on City Council AND in Portland over the last year?
I am concerned that the decision to develop the Maine State Pier was made too quickly.  This kind of large-scale development is not something to be rushed, especially along Portland's historic waterfront.  I am most frustrated with how the process became extremely partisan, dividing the Council and many within our community, because there were only two options offered.
6. What competing responsibilities do you have professionally and personally?
I spend most of my time working on pertinent issues, networking, listening to the concerns of Portland residents, supporting local artists and musicians, riding my bike, and walking around Portland.  My personal life is connected to my work, and my work is to make Portland a better city in which to live and work. 
7. Are you a homeowner or a renter?
I am a renter.
8. Please answer and explain the following:
1. Do you support reducing the parking requirements for new construction (Y/N)? Explain.
Yes.  By reducing the parking requirements for new construction, Portland would make room for more housing and encourage alternative modes of transportation instead of driving. 
2. Do you support increasing housing density to build more units (Y/N) Explain.
Yes!!! Portland needs more affordable housing, so I support increasing housing density to build affordable housing units.
3. What are you thoughts and ideas about housing in Portland?
As stated above, housing in Portland is too expensive and there is not enough of it.  We need to increase housing density to create as many affordable housing units as possible.  Due to rising fuel prices, more and more people will be moving to Portland from the suburbs.  The more affordable housing we have in the city, the more we reduce urban sprawl and the more environmentally sustainable our city will be.
9. What is your primary mode of transportation? How can we improve transportation in Portland?
As a bike commuter, I see opportunities to make biking and pedestrian commuting more accessible, convenient and safe. We should invest in public transit and become a more commutable city. With today’s high gas prices and threatening climate change, we need to make alternative modes of transit like buses and trains more accessible.
The Portland Peninsula Transit Study gave several suggestions as to ways to improve transportation in the city.  When elected I will focus on creating ways to integrate these recommendations.



10. How do you intend to represent the needs of low-income and new American community members?
As a low-income resident, I see the need for programs and organizations like P.R.O.P., Cultivating Communities, Preble Street Resource Center, Local Sprouts Community Kitchen, and the Portland Food Co-Op to provide affordable and healthy food.  Portland needs to invest in and provide support for these great services.  Public transit is the most affordable way to commute; I will therefore work to improve Portland's transit systems.  Programs like Portland West, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Preble Street Teen Center are crucial for low-income and at-risk youth.  The programs already exist, they just need more support from the city in order to meet the high demands they face.
Portland has a very large homeless population and with the closure of the YWCA there is little room for homeless women and children.  I will work to create more opportunities for low-to-no-income residents to have a roof over their head.  I will also assist renters by looking to create incentives for landlords to make their buildings more energy efficient.  This will make renting in Portland more affordable by reducing utility bills.
Not all refugee and immigrant residents are new American citizens, so one of my goals is to ensure everyone has equal representation in our cities governing bodies.  If someone has children in the Portland public school system, they should have the right to run for school board whether or not they are a US citizen.  I also want to look at ways of supporting all residents in claiming U.S. citizenship.  What are the barriers for folks who've been living in Portland for over 10 years and have yet to become a citizen?  How does this effect students graduating from Portland High Schools?  We need to support each resident of Portland and ensure basic needs are being met.
11. What do you see the role of the city council to be? If elected, how would you govern?
The role of the city council is to represent the people living in Portland.   As a representative, I will listen to the concerns and ideas of Portland residents, and include them in the decision-making process.  Government should be accessible and democratic, especially at the local level.
12. In the last budget cycle the city council made cuts across the board to social services, forced a merger of two city departments, and scaled back equipment and positions for public safety departments. If the future council were forced into a similar situation where the city budget needs to be balanced, what would you be in favor of cutting? 
Before making any cuts, I would need to closely examine where city money is being spent.  I will always look for alternatives to cutting funding to social services.   
13. How would you go about increasing local revenue?
One of Portland's most important assets is its creative economy.  I will increase local revenue by supporting and empowering artists and musicians, and by advocating for venues that generate profits for Portland's arts district.  I support the Portland Creative Economy Committee's suggestion of creating a Center for the Arts.  I will look to increase Arts TIFs so there are more opportunities for artists and musicians.  Portland's Buy Local Campaign, along with the Farmer's Markets, help to keep money within the local economy by encouraging Portland residents to support local businesses and farms.  We should continue to do all we can to support and promote local business.



14. Do you support the Peninsula Transit Study recommendations which indicate that car owners should pay the true costs of storing their vehicles on public properties and directing the funds to support transit and neighborhood redevelopment projects (sidewalks, parks, etc.)? If not, what areas don’t you support and what would you change?
I support most of the Peninsula Transit Study recommendations.  As far as funding transit and neighborhood redevelopment projects, I would consider passing some of the cost off to car owners, but I would also be interested in hearing ideas from the community as to ways we can generate these funds without increasing costs to our residents.  I see potential in one particular idea that I have heard: charging tolls paid by non-residents of the city upon their entrance of downtown Portland.  I think this is an idea worth exploring.  I’m open to creating a revenue stream for new transit projects which doesn’t cost more for our residents.
15. Given that car sharing was cited as a short-term recommendation in the Peninsula Transit Study do you feel the City should actively pursue car sharing? And if so, would you recommend the City designate funds and/or parking spaces for such a program? 
I think the city should collaborate with Maine Medical Center and the University of Southern Maine to establish a car sharing program in the Southern Maine area.  Both institutions have the employee and customer base to support a car sharing program, while the city may not have the adequate demand to support such a program.  Both also have locations outside of Portland, and would therefore connect the city with neighboring and nearby towns.  I see importance in this type of regional collaboration. 
I am not sure that designating city funds for parking spaces would be necessary.  I, for one, would participate in such a program in order to run errands, such as buy groceries or underwear.  There would likely be ample parking at either destination.  I’m open to considering funding parking if there’s a need.
16. Do you support or oppose the repeal of the 100 ft. dispersal requirement between establishments with entertainment licenses in the Old Port Overlay Zone? I am for repealing the Bar Dispersal Law.
This law is harmful to the local creative economy because it limits the number of entertainment venues that can open up in Portland.  The law also encourages bar sprawl, and I think it makes more sense to have bars closer together so people can walk from one to the next rather than potentially needing to get into a car.
17. Would you support or oppose community benefit agreements in contracts between the City and developers? If so, what stipulations would you include in these agreements?
I would support community benefit agreements because they are useful in ensuring good developments for the people of the city.  Without this type of contract there is too much room for a development to end up costing the city a lot of money.  The contract is a great mechanism for protecting both the community and the developer by holding each to their promises.  I would be interested in including stipulations which make each development more sustainable for Portland and ensure the developer completes the job.
While at The League, I sat on the Maine Fair Trade Coalition board when we enacted the State's Informed Growth Act.  This is a great tool for Portland to make informed decisions about any new retail developments that measure 75 sq. ft. or more.  With any new development, I will look at effects it will have on our community and seek to attract developments which are most beneficial to Portland.  



18. Would you support or oppose a proposal to ban smoking in the outdoor seating areas of restaurants until 10pm?
As a smoker who is constantly trying to quit, I think it makes sense to be considerate of non-smokers and smokers alike.  I would be interested in finding a comfortable compromise when it comes to smoking outside restaurants, but I would like to hear more from the community as to what we can agree on as a fair situation for both smokers and non-smokers.  
19. What are your plans for reducing energy costs and consumption for the City?
Another great accomplishment of the Council this year was the formation of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Committee.  I am very interested in the work Muskie School students have done in researching ways to make Portland more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint and energy costs.  I support their suggestions to use solar panels on government buildings as well as more energy-efficient lighting.  I will work to get all Public Works, police, and fire vehicles, as well as the entire Metro fleet, running on bio-fuels.  I would also support investing in wind turbines and enforcing our anti-idling ordinance.
20. What would you do to increase constituency engagement in City activities and City planning?
Be myself!  This is one of my biggest strengths.  I have always succeeded at turning out large groups of citizens to be active in local issues and decisions.  I feel strongly that our neighborhood organizations are a great tool to keep Portland residents active in the decision-making process.  I will continue to advocate for more collaboration between the City Council and our neighborhood organizations.