FAMILIES

Ward 2 should always be an attractive place for families because of our great places to live, learn, work and enjoy life. From Oak Park Mall to the bustling Metcalf Corridor to Roe Park and all the neighborhoods in between, there's a lot to love about our Ward. That didn't happen by accident. With strong investment in public safety, parks and infrastructure, strategic development along key corridors, and continuing to promote a welcoming community, we can cement Ward 2's status as a great place for families. The Forward OP vision plan and the business community acknowledge that the key to future success in OP is attracting and retaining a skilled workforce of all job types, including young professionals and families. As two professionals raising a family in Ward 2, my wife and I represent one of the target demographics for OP's future health. On Council, I will approach every issue with a family-centered mindset while advocating for better child care access, pro-family policies for city employees, green spaces, quality jobs, and close collaboration with our school partners - the things I want to see as a parent.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

To keep our great quality of life in Ward 2, the City needs to continue its support for the creation and retention of quality jobs and help foster a strong environment for businesses of all sizes. I’ve worked at a major trade association to advocate for quality jobs and workforce programs and remove barriers to growth for businesses. Working with state, municipal and educational partners, I’ve helped establish apprenticeship and job training programs for underserved populations and reskilling programs for folks who want to change industries. On infrastructure projects, I’ve worked closely and managed contracts for minority- and women-owned business enterprises, helping grow capacity and revenue in disadvantaged businesses. Future economic growth in Overland Park will rely on strong investments in our infrastructure, supporting projects that are the right fit for our area, and advancing policies that are supported by the business community. As a City Councilmember, I want to see ribbon cuttings - I want to see new businesses open their doors, hire our neighbors and showcase OP’s business-friendly community.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Ward 2 has some of the oldest neighborhoods in the City, but also has some of the exciting new “live, work, play” investments. The City is at a crossroads on how to invest in our aging roads, bridges and stormwater system and we are currently on an unsustainable path. The City’s Infrastructure Advisory Group put together some strong recommendations for how we can reconstruct, maintain and expand our infrastructure assets, including new revenue streams. As City Councilmember, I’ll advocate for dollars to be spent in Ward 2 to reconstruct our aging assets, advocate for alternative project delivery methods to save money and accelerate projects, and advocate for integration of sustainable practices whenever possible. As an ENV SP-certified sustainable infrastructure professional, I am well-positioned to advance infrastructure policy in OP that sets us up for a strong future.

PROPERTY TAXES & HOUSING

Like many of our neighbors in Ward 2, our property taxes have drastically increased in the past few years. While owning a home continues to be the American dream, it is increasingly unattainable for too many people, limiting pathways to wealth and security. And, for those who have achieved the dream and want to enjoy homeownership, rising property taxes are threatening that housing security, especially for our neighbors on a fixed income. The housing crisis threatens our seniors, young adults and, frankly, our local economy, so keeping property taxes as low as possible is a priority for my tenure as your City Councilmember and is something that has made Overland Park an attractive place to live for generations.  

PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUSIVITY & MENTAL HEALTH

As a dad and husband, the safety of my family is constantly top of mind. Some of our community's strongest assets are our dedicated Police Department, Fire Department and our state-of-the-art emergency dispatch system. Overland Park maintains one of the lowest crime rates of peer communities and effectively trains, recruits, and retains officers, dispatchers, and department leaders to patrol and conduct investigations in our community to promote public safety. The crisis intervention team allocates dedicated resources to mental health crises in our community, which holds a special place for me. Like most millennials, I've lost too many close friends to the suicide epidemic plaguing our generation and Gen Z. The loss of hope, loss of community connection and the feeling of not being welcome in your own community is something the City can continue to address through strong public safety investments, continuing to be an award-winning City for inclusivity and building and maintaining green spaces where we can heal and live active lives. This complicated issue is something I look forward to championing as a City Councilmember.