What will I work for?
As your councilwoman, I am committed to restoring trust in our local government through true accountability, transparency, and active leadership. I will focus on creating a safer, healthier, and more vibrant community by implementing affordable and sustainable improvements to our infrastructure and neighborhoods. I will prioritize addressing housing and homelessness, supporting local businesses, and driving economic growth. Read more below!
Restoring Accountability & Trust
Restoring accountability and trust in Turlock’s City Council begins with fostering transparent communication between the council and our community. I will implement regular town hall meetings and open forums, encouraging residents to voice their concerns, ask questions, and provide input on local issues. By actively engaging with the public and creating platforms for dialogue, we can build a stronger connection and ensure that the voices of all residents are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
Additionally, I will advocate for the establishment of a comprehensive accountability framework that includes clear metrics for evaluating the council’s performance. This framework will involve publishing regular reports on the progress of initiatives, budget allocations, and community projects. By making this information readily accessible to the public, we can foster an environment of transparency where residents can easily track our achievements and hold us accountable for our commitments.
Lastly, I will prioritize collaboration with local organizations and community leaders to strengthen trust and accountability in our governance. By partnering with stakeholders across various sectors, we can create a network of accountability that emphasizes shared responsibility for the well-being of our community. Together, we can identify issues, develop solutions, and implement policies that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of Turlock residents, paving the way for a more trustworthy and responsive City Council.
Creating a Safer & Healthier Community
Creating a safer and healthier community is a collective effort that requires a comprehensive approach emphasizing prevention, collaboration, and equity. At the heart of this strategy is the formation of strong partnerships with law enforcement and fire safety professionals, while also addressing the underlying social determinants of health. Public safety is not just about responding to emergencies, but also about fostering environments that prevent harm before it happens. By working together, we can ensure that our law enforcement and fire departments are equipped with the resources and training they need to address the needs of all community members, including mental health crisis intervention, substance abuse support, and trauma-informed care.
Equity plays a crucial role in ensuring our neighborhoods' long-term safety and health. Communities that lack access to basic needs, such as affordable housing, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities, are often more vulnerable to crime and public health risks. By focusing on policies promoting equitable access to these resources, we can reduce disparities contributing to unsafe conditions. Working with law enforcement to encourage community policing models that build trust between officers and residents and fire safety programs that prioritize underserved areas will foster a sense of security and belonging. Equity-focused initiatives can significantly reduce crime rates while improving the overall quality of life for Turlock’s residents.
Moreover, our city’s approach to safety must integrate public health strategies that address prevention, particularly in vulnerable and marginalized communities. Initiatives such as expanding affordable housing, increasing access to mental health and substance abuse services, and improving public spaces with parks and recreation opportunities can drastically reduce crime and enhance fire safety preparedness. When every neighborhood feels supported and included in the city’s broader safety and health initiatives, Turlock will be able to build resilient, thriving communities where everyone can live free from harm and with access to the care and resources they need to succeed.
Building Affordable Housing & Infrastructure
I am deeply committed to addressing homelessness through an equitable, compassionate lens. To reduce homelessness, we need to address its root causes—such as mental health challenges, substance abuse, and lack of access to affordable housing—through targeted, evidence-based interventions. I aim to work closely with local service providers, government and healthcare organizations, and law enforcement to connect people with the needed services while ensuring that resources are distributed equitably across the community.
Finding sustainable, affordable housing solutions is a cornerstone of any effective homelessness reduction strategy. This includes advocating for more affordable housing development, incentivizing public-private partnerships, and leveraging state and federal funding for housing projects prioritizing low-income residents. By focusing on infrastructure improvements, we can ensure that new developments are accessible and well-integrated into existing neighborhoods. This requires creating policies that balance growth with equity, ensuring that housing is distributed fairly and designed to meet the needs of diverse populations. In addition, I will push for expanded support for housing-first programs, which provide stable housing as a primary step in addressing homelessness, followed by supportive services that promote long-term stability.
At the same time, it’s crucial that we implement existing laws and policies in a way that is both fair and effective in reducing homelessness. This means working to enforce laws that protect public spaces while offering real alternatives for individuals experiencing homelessness. Rather than criminalizing homelessness, we should focus on compassionate enforcement strategies that connect individuals to housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities. We can work with law enforcement to ensure that homeless outreach programs are centered on building trust and providing resources, rather than punishment. By creating a comprehensive approach that includes both enforcement and robust support services, we can make significant progress in reducing homelessness while promoting equity and dignity for all Turlock residents.