Protect Our Neighborhoods

Feeling safe in your home and in your neighborhood is the cornerstone of our quality of life.  I’m proud to serve on the Public Safety Committee where I regularly scrutinize the City’s crime statistics with DPD leadership -- I track D13’s crime stats weekly.  This committee is where the “first look” at new crime reduction plans are presented and scrutinized, and strategies for officer recruitment and retention are reviewed.  

During the 2022-23 budgeting process, I voted to fully fund the Dallas Police Department and Dallas Fire Rescue’s requests.  In addition, I sponsored an amendment to accelerate critical Level 1 maintenance at every fire station that qualified, as well as fund a new fire engine (these run about $1 million).  

District 13 includes three of our city’s seven patrols, so I work with the DPD rank and file constantly.  Whether it’s gathering neighbors with their NPO (neighborhood police officer) to drill down into crime stats specific to their neighborhood, or bringing together special investigative units with neighbors experiencing an acute, troubling incident—I know how important it is to take action to restore peace-of-mind.  

In my first term in office, I’ve attended DPD and DFR graduations, and sadly some candlelight vigils.  The service of those who put on a uniform to keep us safe every day is not lost on me, and I have demonstrated this support tangibly.    

Short-Term Rentals

I am a believer in property rights, but let me be clear I am against short-term rentals in neighborhoods with Single Family homes.  I have experienced numerous complaints around STRs in District 13.  The complaints range from noise, drugs, prostitution, assault (on a neighbor), litter, excessive parking and trespassing–using up law enforcement, code compliance and D13 staff time that could be better used on other neighborhood concerns.  Out-of-town investor ownership can make it very hard to track down someone to resolve renter issues.  STRs create a constant stream of cars and uncertainty of strangers coming and going–some neighbors liken it to living next door to a ticking time bomb. I have listened to the arguments on both sides–some exceptions would be if a neighborhood wants to create an overlay to permit STRS in their area or if an onsite homeowner would like to rent a room of their home for 30-days plus.  

Fix Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks

In the last two years District 13 has had millions of dollars invested in new road and alley construction, as well as in proactive maintenance.  In my first budget session, I lead the charge to have Public Works funds earmarked for dilapidated alleys across the city in direct response to what I heard from neighbors complaints.

From the get-go, getting D13 crosswalks repainted was a near-term goal.  168 have been refreshed, with 94 of those around schools, with more on the way. 

Though construction slowed due to the impact of COVID-19 on materials and labor, I have worked to keep D13s street and alley projects moving to completion.  Our district has some of the most lane miles, and lower-rated street quality than others, so fighting for the funds needed to catch up on maintenance and reconstruction is critical, and I have experience with this.  With the 2024 Bond Program looming, it’s even more important to secure funds for these vital arteries to our everyday living.

SMART traffic lights are on order—with agile timing to move traffic more expediently during rush hour and to help clear the way for emergency vehicles.  

Grow the Tax Base, Don’t Raise Taxes

I’ve voted in favor of new housing and retail developments all over the city to grow the tax base and generate revenue to help fund the City’s basic needs:  Downtown projects like Goldman Sachs and NewPark will bring excellent paying jobs and maximize the returns on prime downtown real estate.   Using ARPA dollars to preserve housing while also preserving the cultural significance of The Bottoms and Tenth Street in Southern Dallas aligns with our Economic Development Policy.  And keeping future land use in all of our sights will help drive tax revenue to city coffers.  Even in Dallas’ prosperity, we have so many areas that haven’t reached their potential—like Preston Center, Hensley Field, and Vickery Meadow—where the City must balance redevelopment and greater density with commitment to stabilizing housing for current residents. 

In the last four years, Dallas has seen $14B in new development and construction.  I have taken leads on crafting the stand-up of a new Economic Development Corporation and smart economic development incentives to beat our formidable out-of-market competition while locking in benefits like jobs guaranteed for Dallas residents. 

For the two years I’ve been on Council, voted YES to lowering taxes.  With property values soaring, even a lower tax rate feels like an increase—that’s why I pushed on to make them even lower!  

While strides have been made in closing the timing gap on Dallas’ permitting process, that misstep cannot happen again.  The technology needed–hardware, software and process-has been identified and implementation is underway.  As Vice Chair of the Government Performance and Financial Management Committee–I track this progress every month to be sure timelines are met. 

Smart Development Includes Neighborhood Input

Smart development that looks beyond property boundaries to know the impact of a project on those who live around it, and factors in the needs of our city with regard to landscape, mobility and our overall environment is development I can support.  Neighbors want to be heard, and should be heard—with timely notifications of when and where they can share their perspective.  I have convened numerous community meetings, large and small, where neighbors can ask questions and be a part of crafting plans—whether on housing, crime, coyotes, or play equipment at parks—you have a voice. 

Create better
‘Liveability’ in Dallas. Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Recreation!

Liveable cities support the quality of life of its’ citizens. I am dedicated to improving and expanding our parks and urban spaces, transportation networks including DART rail and buses, but also bike and walking trails, and equitable access to recreational, cultural, and community facilities. As a Friends of the Dallas Public Library Board member, I saw first-hand the critical role libraries play in so many lives. I am committed to these goals and will continue to improve the quality of life for all our citizens.  In fact, I was proud to pass an amendment in 2022 in support of the new Vickery Park library—D13 has the only library open seven-days-a-week in Dallas!

I have also scoured past bond programs to find funds to give neighbors a budget and allow them to self-determine park improvements.  Whether new equipment for kids to play on, sun sails to keep that play going strong during hot Texas summers, or adding park benches and trails—moving stagnant already-approved-funds from dormancy to action is something I’m proud of.

Action on Homelessness 

Dallas has played a lead role in housing over 1600 homeless people since October 2021—a meaningful accomplishment.  But people are still on street corners, at underpasses and sometimes around businesses or in parks—this is not OK.  Being unhoused is not good for the people themselves, and it’s not good for safety and security of a city.  

The City has purchased, with 2017 bond dollars dedicated to homelessness, properties—but three are still not rehabbed to take occupancy—and this has moved into my crosshairs.

In 2022, I sponsored a budget amendment for $1 million to bolster our nonprofit agencies that work with the homeless—my colleagues supported it—it passed. This will fund grants to help them build capacity and serve more people—whether outreach for unhoused or the wraparound services needed once a person/family is housed.   

Besides the humanity of this issue, the resources required to address it are staggering. Public health is the purview of Dallas County, not the City of Dallas—so working with our County Commissioners to pick up that mantle is an immediate focus.  

As a volunteer counselor at Interfaith Housing Coalition, I worked with single parents transitioning to stable employment and housing from homelessness. Through my appointment by Council member Gates to the Community Development Commission, I have seen how the HUD grants the city receives can assist in securing housing for low to moderate-income citizens.  This close-in experience has given me a valuable foundation to stand on when working on this issue. 

Better Prepare for Emergencies

Our community has shown great fortitude and came together during the COVID pandemic and the bitter cold snowstorm. Neighbors drove elderly neighbors to get their shots or went to the store to get critical supplies of food and water.  I have worked with the Dallas Office of Emergency Management to link neighborhoods to their CERT and Medical Reserve residents to help take immediate action in a crisis. 

A strong foundation of experience on issues affecting our city

The experience gained by serving on Community Boards and Commissions, as well as an extensive volunteer resume across multiple categories created a bedrock for understanding our City that I draw upon every day. 

On the Vickery Meadow TIF Board, the impact of smart development transformed a blighted area by supporting revenue-generating business, employment, and infrastructure.   On the Community Development Commission, I asked to be appointed to the Financial Oversight and Public Improvement subcommittees in order to experience a deep understanding of how our HUD/CDBG grants are put to use and accounted for.  Good training for my current role as Vice Chair of the Government Performance and Financial Management committee!

2019-2021 Community Development Commission

2010- 2018 Vickery Meadow Tax Increment Financing
TIF Board of Directors

Serving on Two Bond Committees—Great prep for 2024 Bond!

Serving on the City of Dallas (2017) and the Dallas ISD (2020) Bond Committees allowed me to deep dive into the vast needs before us, how to address the most urgent concerns yet balance projects needed to meet our future demands, and how critical categories intersect with one another.  For example, how to prioritize critical facilities issues like overdue updates for police and fire stations, factored in with stormwater problems as well as the quality of life needs like parks and trails.   In fact, I was a co-sponsor of an amendment that dedicated $1.75 million to accelerate the most serious repairs to fire stations and buy a new engine—I knew this was important because of what I learned by my service in 2017. 

2017 City of Dallas Bond Committee for Critical Facilities 

DISD 2020 Bond Committee, Sub Committee
for Safety & Security

• Appointed by Mayor Eric Johnson to:

• Ad Hoc Administrative Affairs (Chair)

• Government Performance & Financial Management Committee (Vice Chair)

• Public Safety Committee

• Economic Development Committee

• Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

• 2022 Canvassing Committee (Chair)

President & CEO of Turtle Creek Conservancy

As President & CEO of the Turtle Creek Conservancy for almost nine years, I help conserve historic Dallas green space for citizens for today and tomorrow.  At this small business, I met a payroll, managed budgets and accountability to a Board of Directors of business and community leaders, and through COVID, reduced expenses to run as efficiently as possible and still deliver on the organization’s mission.  I worked with City of Dallas departments across Code, Streets, Homeless Solutions, Park & Rec, Arts & Culture, and more—giving me a level of knowledge on how they worked to hit the ground running as your Council representative on Day One.