My Answers to the AZ Daily Sun Questions

I’ll add each week’s answers.

August 1, 2026

How do you feel about the prospect of data centers coming to northern Arizona?

I’m concerned about the amount of energy, water, and land data centers use. About a year ago, Climate Mayors, an organization I’ve been active in since being elected mayor, organized a membership meeting so experts and fellow mayors could share their experiences on how data centers have impacted other cities. The centers’ high demand and rapid expansion have surprised some cities, and I realized that Flagstaff needed to re-examine our own zoning codes. I met with our City Manager and Development Services staff and a code amendment was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Fortunately, Flagstaff has very little land with the zoning required for a data center, and we’ll soon have a code amendment that reflects our community’s desires. Demand for data centers will continue to increase, but with regulations that meet the needs of U.S. cities, we don’t have to be at their mercy.

July 25, 2026

How do you intend to communicate with the people of Flagstaff? In what ways will you listen to their concerns?

To start, meetings with groups, business owners, individual residents, and at city council meetings. My weekly calendar is on the city’s website as is contact info. I also attend as many community events as I can fit into my schedule. It’s good for me to be out in the community where a resident can approach me about what’s on their mind. I make a special effort to attend events where I may or may not know people because I want to hear from people who don’t otherwise engage with the city council. I work hard to respond to all, or at least most, resident emails because when people take the time to write their thoughts and send them to me, I want to acknowledge it. When we hired her, I asked our city manager to build a stronger communication infrastructure and improvements have definitely been made—with more to come.

July 18, 2026

How do you feel about the state of higher education in Flagstaff/Coconino County right now?

Flagstaff is fortunate to have strong institutions of higher education. Both CCC and NAU are strong partners in workforce and economic development. Programs including nursing, paramedic studies, fire science, law enforcement, early childhood education, and construction—to name just a very few—help prepare Flagstaff’s workforce for good jobs that can assist them in staying rooted in Flagstaff. NAU has several programs that provide pathways for students to conduct research and create innovations, showing them possibilities to turn their research into entrepreneurial and job opportunities. Between training for job opportunities, attracting research dollars, and providing pathways to job creation, Flagstaff’s economy is made stronger by both. Both institutions are challenged by diminishing state funding and federal research grants. I hope that those of us who value higher education will continue to advocate for increased investment in the success of both CCC and NAU because their strength is Flagstaff’s strength.

July 11, 2026

What actions should Flagstaff and northern Arizona take to prepare as best as it can for wildfires and flooding?

Continue what we’re doing. In 2012, Flagstaff voters approved a $10M bond to support the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) to focus forest treatments on critical watersheds, reducing threats including diminished water quality and post-fire flooding. More than 14,000 acres have been restored with ecologically based, wildfire risk reduction thinning in FWPP priority areas. This investment has leveraged more than $40 million to get significant forest restoration treatment work planned and completed, with more in the works. The city partners with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Coconino County Flood Control District, and the Coconino National Forest on this effort, and the city council advocates for state and federal support year-round to enable us to continue this work. With additional resources of staff and funding, we can build on our success and get this work done even faster. The risk is real and Flagstaff is leading the way.

July 2, 2026

What did the city council do well over the last two years?

Public trust is essential and the City and Council have made communication a priority. Decisions must be thoughtfully arrived at and must include the public. We work to make processes transparent, understandable, and to ensure that public input is carefully considered. The decisions we’re faced with are often challenging and it’s impossible to have full agreement among all residents, but I work to consider as many perspectives as possible and to clearly communicate my reasoning. My weekly calendar is on the city’s website and it’s my priority is to be accessible to local residents, organizations, and institutions. Clear and timely communication takes work, and I promise to continue making this a priority. It’s my honor and privilege to serve as Flagstaff’s mayor and I’m grateful for your trust.

June 27, 2026

What’s the most important reason you’re running for office?

The most important reason is that I love this community—its people and its natural environment. It’s been my honor to serve our community in many capacities over the years and with each passing year, I find yet another reason to love it here. I’m running to continue thoughtful leadership informed by a broad range of community input, data, and successful ideas that are working elsewhere. The city has made real strides on many important projects and I’m proud to have been part of making this headway. Flagstaff needs continued bold and effective solutions as well as leadership and perseverance to see solutions implemented. I promise to keep my attention on ways to improve the lives of residents, to listen, and to continue developing solutions and strategies to address community priorities.