Crime
As I go door-to-door in District 3, the one thing I hear over and over is people’s concern about crime in our neighborhoods. No taxpayer should feel unsafe in their own home or business. My number one priority is protecting our neighborhoods and families from predators and criminals. With the Safety First initiative on this year’s ballot, nearly 400 more police officers will be patrolling city streets. However, it isn’t clear where those officers will be deployed. District 3 deserves the same police protection as every other area of the city and I will work to make sure that those resources are felt equally across the city and in District 3. District 3 is served by the Desert Horizon Precinct located in District 2, which is the largest precinct in the City of Phoenix at 145 square miles. And with increasing crime statistics, we need a precinct within District 3 to reduce response times.

Transportation
As Phoenix’s light rail becomes operational and as our population continues to skyrocket, our elected leaders need to pay attention to not just the transportation needs of downtown, but of every area of Phoenix. Longer commutes means more time away from our families. My opponents believe that the traffic problem can be solved with bus turnout lanes and better synchronization of traffic signals. I say we have to get people out of their cars. We need to go back to the original Village concept and create hubs of employments centers in each of the districts of the city. And, we need to encourage businesses to offer flex time and tele-commuting, as well. As your representative, I’ll work hard to make sure District 3 receives the same attention and resources as other parts of the city.

Preserving Our Neighborhoods
With established communities like we have in District 3, one of the most critical issues is neighborhood preservation. When I’m walking door to door talking with voters in District 3, I keep hearing about how our neighborhoods just aren’t what they use to be. District 3 has been an attractive area for out of state investors and industry, but that growth has come with a cost. These investors buy up property and subsequently rent them out. If not kept up by renters, as is most often the case, property values of surrounding homes diminish and our quality of life suffers. We need to adequately fund the Neighborhood Services Department and ensure that there is adequate staff available to respond to neighborhood concerns and potential violations of Arizona law.

Protecting District 3
With $232 million of the last Phoenix bond program going to provide for downtown development efforts and the ASU campus, and another $200 million-$250 million out of the next bond issue four years from now to complete the downtown area, it is imperative that District 3 is not overlooked. District 3 needs adequate funding for safe and enjoyable parks and recreation facilities where we and our children can play, adequate paving of streets, street lighting, and all the essential services the City provides. As the city grows, District 3 will face increased traffic congestion. With gang related crime on the rise, District 3 is going to need law enforcement that is well funded and responsive. With every decision that the city makes, my main concern will be the well being of District 3.