Answers to Sentinel Questions 

1. Your reasons for wanting to preserve, or end, the city's seven-percent utility tax, which is on the ballot this November?
   I oppose Measure P. Passage will disproportionately impact youth, elderly folk, mentally ill, homeless women and children - the most vulnerable among us. Resulting cutbacks in basic infrastructure maintenance will compound the cost by causing the city to forgo matching funds from the state and federal government. Vote NO on P!
2. Your reasons for favoring or opposing a set of new downtown ordinance changes (a partial list includes: new space limits for panhandlers, a Hackey Sack ban, the extension of a ban on after-dark panhandlers to include sign-holding panhandlers, the extension of a ban on blocking sidewalks with possessions.)
   These ordinances excessively restrict civil liberties such as freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, and do nothing to address core complaints: drug dealing, violence, sexual harassment and conflicting uses. They violate a very successful twenty year compact between musicians and the city based on peer pressure and mediation, sacrifice poor people's rights on the altar of political convenience, and have nothing to do with the progressive agenda the current council majority was elected to implement.
3. How would you develop more affordable housing for the city?
   Restructure the local housing market to make affordable units feasible to build. Focus the City's energy and attention on encouraging construction of rental housing in core areas near public transit. Encourage construction of ADUs, SRO residential properties and commercial/residential projects along major transit corridors.
4. What would you do to improve life in the Beach Flats neighborhood?
   Pay attention to it. Support a strong neighborhood organization to give residents a voice in the City's structure of governance. Support neighborhood merchants by establishing a Business Improvement District. Build a park and staff it 24/7/365 to create a safe place for children to play and residents to socialize. Support the Beach Flats Community Center.

 Biographical Info 

 Top Three Issues 

1. Affordable housing: fix the bottom rungs of the housing ladder so that people can afford to live near where they work.
2. Broaden the dialogue: facilitate creation of neighborhood organizations and business improvement districts, and give all areas and all residents a voice in the City's governance, so that we can take take full advantage of Santa Cruz's social and economic potential.
3. Create public space that serves the public good: build a downtown that serves all and discriminates against none by restoring the Pacific Garden Mall vision via the construction of a permanent, multi-block pedestrian plaza.