Over the past few years, I’ve often asked questions of John Scanlon, our City Finance Director, and he has always taken the time to explain parts of the budget to me. I recently asked him to review my budget posts. I saw John at yesterday’s City Commission meeting, and he pointed out an error in my BUDGET PART 2:... Read More

After the Candidate Forum at the Plymouth District Library on September 23, I received an email asking for specifics about how I would approach budget decisions if elected. Because the budget is something many citizens care deeply about, I decided to respond here on my blog, which has turned into a three-part series. This Part 1 post offers my... Read More

One of my top priorities is ensuring that the City makes spending decisions in a fiscally responsible way, guided by meaningful community input on how we set priorities for investments. At the January 6, 2025 City Commission meeting, I raised concerns about the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) section of the budget. That section described the statutory framework for capital... Read More

In Parts 1 and 2, I shared my general thoughts on the City’s budget and the importance of giving residents a stronger voice in setting priorities. In this final part, I want to look at how we can take a more comprehensive approach to planning that maintains existing infrastructure while supporting growth and preparing for future needs. A good... Read More

We all remember the major flooding in August 2023 and again this past April 2025. Families and businesses were hit hard, and many of us are still worried about what happens the next time we get heavy rain. May 5th City Commission Meeting At the May 5 City Commission meeting, a number of business owners and residents spoke about... Read More

I’ve advocated for a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board for almost two years. In my January post, I outlined initiatives the City could pursue to improve our parks and recreation programs even if the idea of creating an Advisory Board continues to be dismissed. These included engaging residents, establishing formal volunteer and sponsorship programs, building a long-term financial plan,... Read More

Back in July 2024, I shared two posts on the idea of creating a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. You can still find those original posts in the archive if you’d like a deeper dive. Below is the brief six-minute presentation I created at the time that explains the concept in more detail: I continue to believe this board... Read More

The Planning Commission is finalizing the 2025 Master Plan, which could be approved at their next meeting on Wednesday, September 10th. A lot of good work has gone into this document, but I want to share one concern that directly affects Old Village. The plan proposes allowing 3-story buildings in the Mixed Use area of Old Village. Adding another... Read More