Vision and Priorities

“My vision for Camas is a sustainable, thriving community with a small town feel that provides opportunities for families to live, learn, work, worship and play, both today and for generations to come.  It’s one where natural green spaces, vibrant neighborhoods, excellent schools and thriving businesses come together to promote a safe, healthy and warm-hearted community.”

KEEP CAMAS LIVABLE

I envision a city where teachers, firefighters, young families and seniors can afford to live. An important part of the affordability equation is using proven principles to plan ahead so that we manage traffic flow, keep Camas livable, preserve natural spaces and maintain our small-town character.

These long range plans should include requirements that developments pay their fair share of the ongoing infrastructure maintenance and upkeep of green space. Businesses attracted to these well-planned developments will add to the city’s business tax revenue to support our schools, parks, roads, infrastructure and other amenities.

THOUGHTFUL GROWTH

As a member of the City Planning Commission I have spent hundreds of hours listening to Camasonians share their vision of our city’s future, and I have drawn extensively from my civil engineering experience to add detail in many of the subject areas.

The “Our Camas 2045 Comprehensive Plan” will help us to balance our rapid population growth with the desire to preserve the natural beauty of our city and surrounding area. Goals include:

  • Avoid uncontrolled sprawl by prioritizing redevelopment of underutilized urban properties to protect surrounding natural resources, farmland and forests.
  • Open Space Preservation and connectivity of greenways and trails.
  • Careful management of the mature tree canopy that contributes to the city’s beauty and recognizing special zoning districts to protect critical areas like wetlands, steep slopes, and riparian zones.

NONPARTISAN, COLLABORATIVE STANCE

The City of Camas Council is a nonpartisan governing body. I seek a seat on the Council as a nonpartisan candidate, committing to working collaboratively with all of my fellow Council members.

Effective local governance relies on trust, collaboration, and compromise among elected officials and staff. It is our ethical responsibility to set aside state or national party platforms. Camasonians deserve a City Council that works together to accomplish the goals set out in “Our Camas 2045 Comprehensive Plan” for the greatest good of all of its citizens.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC: ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY OPPORTUNITY

Redeveloping the Georgia Pacific mill site is a once-in-a-century opportunity to discuss our priorities as a city. How much space do we want to allocate for housing, commercial areas, industrial areas, schools and open spaces? And drilling down a little further: what should be the mix of affordable, middle, upscale housing? What kinds of commercial areas? What will be permissible industrial uses? How will this development tie into the Port of Camas-Washougal’s long range plans?

Careful planning of the Georgia-Pacific site will:

  • Broaden our city’s tax base so residential property taxes will not be its primary source of funding,
  • Provide the necessary financial support for our growing city,
  • Maintain the excellent education our children receive in the Camas School District, which ranks amongst the best in the State of Washington.

Working together we can maintain what we love best about our city, while opening doors to new opportunities.