Keeping People and Their Pets Together

Keeping People and Their Pets Together

The Executive Director of the Arizona Pet Project reached out to me several months ago and I was excited to learn more about their work. It combines issues that are priorities for me—housing, animal and human welfare, and animal shelter overcrowding. The mission of the Arizona Pet Project: To reduce the number of dogs and cats entering Arizona shelters by providing the resources needed to keep pets and their families together. This organization is staffed by social workers and they can tailor a solution to each individual situation. If a family or individual meets income requirements, the AZ Pet Project can assist with money to help with veterinarian bills, rental deposits, temporary boarding, or most any other need. They also have some funding available specific…

Making Quality-of-Life Improvements in Flagstaff

Making Quality-of-Life Improvements in Flagstaff

I’m happy to report progress on Flagstaff’s Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP). I’m proud of our community for its planning, utilization of the latest science, and advocacy that created the CNP. To watch the latest update given at the June 18, 2024 city council meeting, watch the video here. I’m a strong supporter of the CNP for several reasons. This plan emerged from several years of work by thousands of residents and the city’s sustainability staff. I attended many meetings where I learned more about climate science and experienced the support expressed by Flagstaff residents of all ages. Importantly, I support the plan for the improved air quality, neighborhood cohesion, and cost savings that residents can enjoy through taking climate action. Clean energy, water security, reduced…

Advocating for Flagstaff

Advocating for Flagstaff

In late April, I joined nearly 50 other mayors and descended on Washington, DC on a mission to fight for solutions to address the housing and homelessness crisis affecting U.S. cities. We advocated for changes to voucher income qualifications for veterans, additional funding for housing choice vouchers, and increasing or eliminating the cap on the number of project-based vouchers (vouchers that are attached to a rental development rather than an individual or family). On the first day of our trip, we met with Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services; Adrianne Todman, Acting Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Tom Perez, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; Neera Tanden,…

Housing in Flagstaff

Housing in Flagstaff

Flagstaff’s housing problem is acute, and I know it can sometimes feel like not enough is being done to address it. I wish we had double the resources to tackle this problem, but we’re making progress—due, in large part, to the partnerships the city has with our non-profit housing partners combined with some smart investments of our resources. Yet, there’s still much work to do. First, I’ll speak to the housing programs led by the city’s housing section and some of the work of our non-profit partners. The City of Flagstaff Housing Authority owns two, and manages three, rental developments totaling 345 units serving low-income residents with incomes from 50% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The AMI is set by the U.S….

Opportunities for Flagstaff

Opportunities for Flagstaff

Since taking office in 2022, I’ve become involved with several organizations that assist me in advocating on behalf of our community and also provide funding opportunities for Flagstaff. I’m interested and deeply committed to supporting and enacting policies in these areas for the benefit of our community. The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is an outstanding resource. They keep me apprised of topics important to Flagstaff on the national front, facilitate access to administration and federal agency staff, offer in-depth policy discussions, plus I learn how other communities are tackling problems similar to ours. Additionally, they provide training and small grants that city staff (such as parks and recreation, sustainability, public safety, and housing) has access to. I’ll be lobbying with the USCM’s task force…

I’m on the ballot!

I’m on the ballot!

With your help, I turned in 1,415 signatures and I’ll be on the November ballot! Now’s the time that I can really use your help. Please consider a donation or signing up to volunteer. Thank you!

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