Here’s what the candidates said – 2024 City Election Questionnaire

1. What specific actions will you take to achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents live within a safe 20 minute walk, cycle or transit ride of their daily needs, particularly workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies / healthcare, and city services like the Library?
   
2. In 2019, Tempe adopted a Vision Zero action plan with the goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. In your opinion, has Tempe’s progress towards this goal been sufficient thus far, and what would you do to improve and expand the action plan?
   
3. Many parts of Tempe have gaps and areas that need improvement as it relates to safe bicycling and walking infrastructure, particularly along arterial roads. In addition to being a safety hazard, they discourage residents from these activities. How would you approach these opportunities to eliminate gaps in active transportation infrastructure?
   
4. Tempe has adopted a resolution to “achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 with equitable outcomes.” As transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, what will you do to promote active transportation’s role in achieving this goal and reducing carbon emissions?
   
5. Tempe cyclists are concerned about police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft and failure to enforce traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, particularly parking in bicycle lanes. What would you do to address these concerns if elected?

What specific actions will you take to achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents live within a safe 20 minute walk, cycle or transit ride of their daily needs, particularly workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies / healthcare, and city services like the Library?

There’s no one solution to creating a more walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly city. As a candidate for City Council, I want to continue building on the progress we’ve made introducing additional dedicated and shared bike lanes, transit options and walking paths. Specifically in South Tempe, I would like to extend Orbit service, which currently only goes as far south as Elliot Road. In parts of our city with high ridership, we should be looking at installing new bike lanes—especially on main thoroughfares and around our schools. In terms of overall safety, I support a bond measure that would be brought before the voters to accelerate the repair of all the roadways that all of us share.

In 2019, Tempe adopted a Vision Zero action plan with the goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. In your opinion, has Tempe’s progress towards this goal been sufficient thus far, and what would you do to improve and expand the action plan?

I fully support Vision Zero’s goals, and the steps our city has taken to increase awareness via the introduction of safety corridors. However, I don’t think we will see consistent year-over-year success in reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities without adequate enforcement. If elected to the City Council, I plan to push for additional officers along the most dangerous throughfares so that we can let drivers know that, when it comes to the safety of everyone sharing our roadways, Vision Zero means zero tolerance for breaking the law.

Many parts of Tempe have gaps and areas that need improvement as it relates to safe bicycling and walking infrastructure, particularly along arterial roads. In addition to being a safety hazard, they discourage residents from these activities. How would you approach these opportunities to eliminate gaps in active transportation infrastructure?

I think we can eliminate the gaps by increasing demand for additional bicycling and walking options. One way to do this is to continue Tempe’s progress on introducing dedicated walking and biking paths—especially along routes to popular destinations like shopping centers, restaurants, schools, and parks. I also think we need a robust safety campaign for everyone sharing our roads. Once folks are comfortable walking and biking on our roadways, I believe we will have more people demanding additional alternative transportation routes.

Tempe has adopted a resolution to “achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 with equitable outcomes.” As transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, what will you do to promote active transportation’s role in achieving this goal and reducing carbon emissions?

I fully support Tempe’s efforts to introduce more EV vehicles to the city fleet to help achieve our carbon neutrality goals. I also believe we need to clear the way and incentivize additional EV charging stations for all drivers—especially now that federal EV incentives are fully in place. In terms of development along transit-friendly corridors, I support reducing the required number of parking spaces, which will result in less cars on the road as Tempe’s population grows.

Tempe cyclists are concerned about police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft and failure to enforce traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, particularly parking in bicycle lanes. What would you do to address these concerns if elected?

I believe that we should address these issues through a combination of enforcement and education. If elected to the City Council, I will push for more officers on patrol to enforce traffic rules along shared transportation corridors, and an education campaign for Tempeans of all ages about obeying the law and sharing our roadways safely.

What specific actions will you take to achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents live within a safe 20 minute walk, cycle or transit ride of their daily needs, particularly workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies / healthcare, and city services like the Library?

Right now, you may be seeing roads being repaved, multi-use paths being built and more around the city. This is because I supported Refresh Tempe, a series of capital improvement projects designed to increase quality of life by adding and reinvesting in Tempe parks, streets, multi-use paths, golf courses and more. Construction is beginning right now in south Tempe on the new Country Club Way Path, which will connect several regional multi-use paths and cycle-pedestrian corridors and even include an adjacent equestrian path. We recently opened the Western Canal Multi Use Path extension to Kyrene Road. We are adding signaled crossings at intersections such as Guadalupe Road and the Western Canal Path to increase safety, and we’ve built a series of underpasses along the Rio Salado at Mill, Priest, Rural and McClintock. That’s just a sampling of some of the infrastructure changes we’ve made, which we are very proud of, but more can always be done. We also offer the free Flash shuttle, six free Orbit neighborhood circulator buses, light rail, the streetcar, and free bus passes for Tempe youth ages 6-18 and other transit options. I am committed to helping all residents get where they need to go as safely and efficiently as possible. I am always available to talk with residents about solutions to their transportation needs and the barriers they face. Although I get out and bike and walk around the city, I can’t always know what’s working and what’s not for all people, so I encourage residents to communicate with me. With that, please know I am committed to exploring and acting upon viable, well thought-out projects and programs that encourage safe, efficient movement around our city, based on residents’ feedback. For example, right now we are exploring options to put a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad near Los Feliz Drive, which would be a key north-south connection point for cyclists and pedestrians in the eastern portion of the city.

In 2019, Tempe adopted a Vision Zero action plan with the goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. In your opinion, has Tempe’s progress towards this goal been sufficient thus far, and what would you do to improve and expand the action plan?

The safety of our residents is my top priority and I want our streets and pathways to be safer. In my opinion, even one crash or fatality is one too many. How do you go about eliminating all crashes and fatalities in a multi-modal city like Tempe? That’s a complex question with complex answers. So we embraced Vision Zero as a data-driven policy to help us make progress toward that goal. It’s become clear that complete elimination of all crashes and fatalities is just not realistic, so we are focusing instead on reducing those numbers. I’d like to see us make more progress, and unfortunately I don’t think most Tempe residents would say they’ve observed any noticeable change. Gathering data to know where we are seeing progress and where it’s lacking is important for us in making informed policy decisions, and Vision Zero is helping us with that. In creating the necessary behavioral changes from drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, I believe education and awareness should be our first approach, followed by enforcement. We have set up Safety Corridors to this effect in high-volume traffic areas, with signage to increase awareness. Additionally, I did request electronic signs to be placed along certain roadways where speeding is a problem to alert drivers to excessive speed. I’d like to see reduced speeds and more traffic calming measures on non-arterial roads, especially where cars and cyclists are sharing the road. In addition to education, I believe we need more enforcement in all areas, but particularly with speeding and distracted drivers.

Many parts of Tempe have gaps and areas that need improvement as it relates to safe bicycling and walking infrastructure, particularly along arterial roads. In addition to being a safety hazard, they discourage residents from these activities. How would you approach these opportunities to eliminate gaps in active transportation infrastructure?

Like many Tempeans, I saw what happened when we tried installing separated bike lanes along McClintock Drive. That was a costly and unfortunate lesson for us all. At the same time, I have many friends who refuse to cycle alongside cars on our arterial streets because they don’t feel safe due to high speeds, distracted drivers and more. I think we are obligated to provide bike lanes on arterial streets where they are feasible, in addition to plenty of room for cyclists on unobstructed sidewalks on arterial streets where they aren’t. I’m a fan of creating more robust cycling infrastructure on our non-arterial streets where there is already less car traffic and reduced speed limits. One example of this is the recent addition of protective candlestick bollards along the bike lanes on College Avenue. In addition to safety features such as these, I’d like to see more connectability of our non-arterial streets and dedicated bike/pedestrian paths, such as the current Country Club Way project or the proposed railroad bridge at Los Feliz.

Tempe has adopted a resolution to “achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 with equitable outcomes.” As transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, what will you do to promote active transportation’s role in achieving this goal and reducing carbon emissions?

The bottom line here is we’ve got to make it easier, cheaper and more convenient for people to get out of their cars. To me, I envision that as plenty of safe and convenient routes to get people where they need to go, plenty of bike racks in prime locations, and plenty of shade and hydration stations. People need to feel safe enough to walk, bike, skate or jog to their destinations, and that’s where education and enforcement come in. I believe we need to make things like biking more accessible to everyone, especially low income communities. And for those who just can’t avoid using their cars, we can incentivize ride sharing, carpooling and alternative fuel vehicles with preferred parking and charging stations. We are already making progress toward some of these goals, but we can always do more.

Tempe cyclists are concerned about police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft and failure to enforce traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, particularly parking in bicycle lanes. What would you do to address these concerns if elected?

A handful of my local cycling friends keep me informed of the infractions they see on a regular basis and I agree that they have a legitimate gripe with this, it needs to be better. Bicycles are traffic and they should be treated with the same consideration, respect and legal expectations as cars. Parking in the bike lane forces cyclists out into traffic which puts them at risk. There needs to be education and enforcement around this, while at the same time, motorists need education and cues on where they can actually park to not put cyclists at risk. Honestly, I would talk to our police chief about these concerns and at the very least bring it to his attention so we can explore possible solutions that work for everyone involved.

What specific actions will you take to achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents live within a safe 20 minute walk, cycle or transit ride of their daily needs, particularly workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies / healthcare, and city services like the Library?

To achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents can conveniently access their daily needs within a 20-minute walk, cycle, or transit ride, I will actively promote and support a comprehensive approach to transportation. This will involve advocating for the expansion of multi-modal options and the implementation of measures to enhance street safety. Recognizing the diverse transportation needs of Tempe’s residents. I will champion broader infrastructure enhancements, such as the development of initiatives like the Smith bike lane, to effectively serve the expanding urban core and facilitate seamless access to workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies/healthcare facilities, and city services.

In 2019, Tempe adopted a Vision Zero action plan with the goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. In your opinion, has Tempe’s progress towards this goal been sufficient thus far, and what would you do to improve and expand the action plan?

Many parts of Tempe have gaps and areas that need improvement as it relates to safe bicycling and walking infrastructure, particularly along arterial roads. In addition to being a safety hazard, they discourage residents from these activities. How would you approach these opportunities to eliminate gaps in active transportation infrastructure?

I served on the bike safety working group and worked with TBAG and other advocacy groups on this important issue. As we undertake road repaving projects across the city, I advocate for a thorough assessment of where new bike lanes can be integrated and how existing lanes can be enhanced. For instance, I have long championed the idea of painting all bike lanes green to increase visibility and awareness among drivers, ultimately making cycling safer for everyone involved. By prioritizing these improvements and leveraging community input, we can systematically eliminate gaps in our active transportation infrastructure, making Tempe a more bike and pedestrian-friendly city for all residents.

Tempe has adopted a resolution to “achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 with equitable outcomes.” As transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, what will you do to promote active transportation’s role in achieving this goal and reducing carbon emissions?

Tempe cyclists are concerned about police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft and failure to enforce traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, particularly parking in bicycle lanes. What would you do to address these concerns if elected?

To address the concerns of Tempe’s cyclists regarding police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft, and the enforcement of traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, I will prioritize enhanced training for law enforcement officers, focusing on a comprehensive understanding of bicycle laws and proactive measures to combat theft. Strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly regarding parking violations in bicycle lanes, will be ensured through increased patrols and clear signage, while advocacy for the expansion of protected bike lanes and improved cycling infrastructure will be pursued in collaboration with city planners. Community engagement will be central to this process, ensuring that the concerns and suggestions of Tempe’s cyclists are integrated into policy decisions, ultimately fostering a safer and more cyclist-friendly environment in the city.

What specific actions will you take to achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents live within a safe 20 minute walk, cycle or transit ride of their daily needs, particularly workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies / healthcare, and city services like the Library?

In 2019, Tempe adopted a Vision Zero action plan with the goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. In your opinion, has Tempe’s progress towards this goal been sufficient thus far, and what would you do to improve and expand the action plan?

Many parts of Tempe have gaps and areas that need improvement as it relates to safe bicycling and walking infrastructure, particularly along arterial roads. In addition to being a safety hazard, they discourage residents from these activities. How would you approach these opportunities to eliminate gaps in active transportation infrastructure?

Tempe has adopted a resolution to “achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 with equitable outcomes.” As transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, what will you do to promote active transportation’s role in achieving this goal and reducing carbon emissions?

Tempe cyclists are concerned about police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft and failure to enforce traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, particularly parking in bicycle lanes. What would you do to address these concerns if elected?

What specific actions will you take to achieve Tempe’s goal of ensuring residents live within a safe 20 minute walk, cycle or transit ride of their daily needs, particularly workplaces, grocery stores, pharmacies / healthcare, and city services like the Library?

There needs to be a comprehensive plan that encompasses all options for transportation within our city and beyond our borders.  Increased routes of the Orbit neighborhood circulator into areas that still do not have coverage is important, particularly in further South Tempe where our workforce and citizens sometime have to walk long stretches to catch a bus.  Safety on intersections for cycle users is important, especially in heavily trafficked areas.  We should continue to explore innovative ideas that will continue to provide the safe riding experience that Tempe’s families deserve.  We also need to develop affordability in the housing sector that provides the opportunity for our families to access our city’s basic needs providers.  Proximity to basic needs providers helps us have a more healthy community.

In 2019, Tempe adopted a Vision Zero action plan with the goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injury crashes. In your opinion, has Tempe’s progress towards this goal been sufficient thus far, and what would you do to improve and expand the action plan?

Public Safety is the number one priority of local government.  Enforcement of our local laws and ordinances is critical for our community to maintain a sense of security.  Vision Zero is a great start, and we have to begin by fully funding our first responders that can provide our safety and care when needed.  Progress of the Vision Zero action plan has been limited by the large number of vacancies that our police department has, which limits availability of officers to enforce traffic laws.  Chief McCoy has developed a vision that improves our officer’s community engagement which helps in educating the public of our laws along with enforcement.

Many parts of Tempe have gaps and areas that need improvement as it relates to safe bicycling and walking infrastructure, particularly along arterial roads. In addition to being a safety hazard, they discourage residents from these activities. How would you approach these opportunities to eliminate gaps in active transportation infrastructure?

As a Bicycle rider, I find that main arterial streets are somewhat unsafe for riding at this time.  It seems that higher visibility infrastructure is necessary along with vehicle speed enforcement.  We also have to have higher maintenance of shrubs and trees that at times block visibility of riders or walkers in city streets.  We also have to fix our roads, they can be significantly unsafe for a bicycle rider when the rider has to dodge holes on the street.  Tempe will need to be a part of any innovative approach that is utilized to improve the safety and security of riders/walkers within our city.

Tempe has adopted a resolution to “achieve community carbon neutrality by 2050 with equitable outcomes.” As transportation accounts for 43% of Tempe’s Community GHG emissions, what will you do to promote active transportation’s role in achieving this goal and reducing carbon emissions?

I strongly support the city’s resolution to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.  To achieve this, we have to begin and end with educating our population to the benefits of reaching this goal.  Education needs to begin early on in life for it to become part of our lives.  Engaging with families on this educational plan is critical along with educational institutions to continuously keep this goal alive.  As a generational goal, we have to advocate heavily in decision-making spaces to continue to work in developing a sustainable city.

Tempe cyclists are concerned about police knowledge of bicycle laws, bicycle theft and failure to enforce traffic laws on drivers regarding bicycle infrastructure, particularly parking in bicycle lanes. What would you do to address these concerns if elected?

As we develop into a more walkable/rideable city, it is important that public safety follows that trend.  I would recommend that an enforcement task force be developed to specifically address these types of crimes and violations.  Citizen’s property and safety need to be secured to be able to live healthy lives.  An education program related to these concerns is also critical in the prevention part of this intervention.  Active participation and advocacy of these critical concerns by council needs to be a priority.