The City of Plymouth Uncovered: Keeping You Informed
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: Giving Citizens a Voice post from October 6. In the Post … 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 general thoughts on the budget. In Parts 2 and 3, I … 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 planning, including the Planning Commission’s role. However, this is misleading because … 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 example of why this approach matters can be seen in the … 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 their concerns. I was the first to make citizen comments, which … Read More