Where I stand / 02
Voice & Accountability
Council is meant to represent this whole town. You shouldn’t need a law degree—or an inside connection—to understand what is being decided or have a say.
Public decisions belong in public.
Residents should be able to see what is being considered, understand the reasoning, and know how a decision was reached. Who your family is, who you know, or whether you agree with me should not change how your input is treated.
Public decisions need public explanations. I support openness about the options, the costs, and the reasoning—not presenting residents with a finished deal. Legitimately protected private information still needs to stay protected; secrecy for convenience is different.
Feelings matter. So does disagreement.
I want the lively debate. I want your ideas, your frustrations, and your input. Questions help us see consequences we may have missed.
If residents are upset about what a proposal means for their neighborhood, that matters—even when the numbers look good on paper. I won’t dismiss how people feel as an obstacle to getting something passed. We need to listen, understand the impact, and reconsider when necessary.
Getting passionate because something affects your home or community is not the same as trying to intimidate someone. Conduct rules should support a fair discussion, not shield officials from uncomfortable questions.
I will speak for myself—and tell you where I stand.
Not everyone can attend meetings, knows how to navigate City Hall, or feels comfortable challenging a decision. Those residents still deserve representation.
When a question is a matter of opinion, I speak only for myself—not for the council as a whole. I will explain how I reached my position and stay true to what I believe is right. A majority of the council may ultimately vote another way. I will respect the lawful result, but I will not pretend to agree or “toe the company line” when I do not.
I will hear you out, ask questions, and respond to the best of my ability. When I do not have the answer, I will say so and help point you toward the right person.
Your voice does not depend on liking me.
You can love me or hate my guts. If a decision affects your town, your property, your taxes, or your daily life, your perspective is welcome and valid to me. No opinion should receive more or less consideration because it comes from my family, a friend, a stranger, a supporter, or someone who strongly disagrees with me.
Different lenses lead to better solutions.
I will not change a position simply because the pressure becomes uncomfortable. But no one person sees every consequence. We all experience Pine City through different lenses, and hearing the full range of viewpoints and considerations is critical to finding the most effective solution.
If new facts show that I am wrong or reveal something I missed, bring them to me. I love learning, I will own a mistake, and I will explain when new information changes my mind. That is accountability—not weakness.