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Editor's Note: The following information was inadvertently not included in the Elkins Municipal Election Guide special section published in Saturday's edition of The Inter-Mountain.
Question 1) What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the city of Elkins?
I believe there are several major issues that Elkins is facing right now, all on different levels. The first and most obvious is the homelessness and drug problem. The second big issue facing the city right now is the wage gap/increasing cost of PEIA for non-state employees. The next big issue for the city is the degraded infrastructure within the city. Bridges, water, and sewer lines have all surpassed their life expectancy.
2) What are the top three priorities you will address if elected?
Our city workers are the heartbeat of the city and yet they are some of the lowest-paid workers in the state. I have advocated for some time now for better wages. Now with the state's decision to increase the cost of PEIA for non-state employees. that comes at an additional cost to the city. When the state leaders decided to approve the increase, they did not offer municipalities any supplemental income to offset the cost of the increase. As a member of the Finance and Personnel committees I advocated for the city to continue to cover the cost of the increase and not pass the added expense on to the employees. I will continue to look for ways to cut costs in the budget so our employees can get the much-needed wage increases they deserve.
The second priority that I have for the city is its infrastructure. The city infrastructure is and has been in a degraded state for quite some time now. Bridges, water and sewer lines are all in need of replacement. The city has identified these issues and is currently working to come up with funding for these projects.
Last but certainly not least on my priority list is the youth in our community. I have been a part of several fantastic things within the parks program. From Engage at the Community Center, hiring of a youth development coordinator for parks, to helping the Babe Ruth baseball group coordinate the demolition and removal of the old concrete bleachers at Bluegrass Park and advocating that EPRC the city, and county commission all contribute funds to replace the bleachers with new aluminum ones. I will continue to advocate for activities for our youth and hope to see our program grow even more in the future.
3) How do you feel about the city's Elkins Riverfront Plan? Are there changes you would recommend?
The Riverfront Plan is a collaboration of multiple groups in Elkins. I feel that it is a great way to connect our town for foot traffic as well as biking. As for priority goes for the city putting money into this project, I see this as a want not a need for our town. If other projects such as bridges and water/sewer lines are taken care of, and the city can find extra funding to help complete the project then I will fully support it. As for changes to the plan, I have viewed the plan but not in enough detail to have specific changes that I would like to see made.
4) It's not uncommon to see motorized bicycles on the streets and on sidewalks in downtown Elkins. If elected, would you make any changes that would prohibit these vehicles from operating downtown?
No, my family has traveled all over the country and many towns/cities use these modes of transportation to reduce traffic, while allowing an opportunity to stop and smell the roses on their commute from here to there. I have personally used golf carts and bicycles while on vacation, so if I use these forms of travel, I can't not support others using them.
5) The businesses that operate south of Elkins are not within the city limits. How much time should the Elkins City police spend patrolling this stretch of highway?
The businesses may not be in the city limits but the five-lane itself is, the Elkins city limits end just shy of Performance Motors. I believe the EPD should patrol that stretch of road just as much as they patrol the downtown area. I believe that the more presence that law enforcement has reduces the amount of traffic violations, which reduces the amount of traffic accidents and increases the safety of everyone on the road. After all, that is truly the goal, keeping family and friends safe on the road.