PARTNERSHIP

I will be a partner to you, whether it is your aim to resolve a personal problem or to make positive impact for our community. Constituency engagement, transparency and oversight over government actions, and communications on matters of import to you personally and to the community at large… these are the nuts and bolts of what public service is, to me. In addition to tackling issues you may have directly, I also hope to offer opportunity to engage with ideas, of all sizes, on how to improve the township and how we can offer resources or opportunities to achieve them efficiently.

I have been in the position as a resident and neighbor with concerns, and, more often than not, just questions. And I can assure you I understand how it feels to call the water department, and BCSWA, and deal with those mundane but important and often frustrating issues. And I’ll be a partner in managing those everyday challenges, as much as I’ll be a cheerleader for the collective consensus of our neighborhood on the bigger ideas.

INCLUSIVITY

As a woman, a mother, a “millennial”, a first generation Lao American, I have found at every place I have been that it is important and valuable to highlight and incorporate diverse voices, histories, and perspectives. While these are certainly not the most important parts of me, they are relevant because I do believe that representation matters.

And I don’t just mean our personhood. I also mean: being a representation of the spirit of creative energy, of thoughtful discourse, of the respectful exchanges of ideas, of cogent, long-term planning and stewardship I have for our own family here in this township. We are a fortunate wellspring of talent, and I hope to draw from all of the wonderful community members I have already met to meet the challenges that face our community moving forward.

Drawing from various personal and professional perspectives, we can better identify common challenges and tackle them equitable ways. Now more than ever is the time to amplify all the voices around us.

CREATIVITY

We are entering a unique period of time when well-functioning localities like ours can forge a path. We have the privilege to look long-term. I think communities are on the verge of many lifestyle challenges, including: remaining competitive among new homeowners—first-time and transitioning—who have more options than ever when looking for communities to call home; providing for more amenities that will create a sense of place that is attractive for a workforce that may be incorporating more teleworking into our lives; accommodating a large generation hoping to age in place and with grace.

All of these quality of life matters provide for ample opportunity for our community to look inward and express outward what type of place we want to be, whether through informal dialogue or an update of the Master Plan. And I hope to go beyond traditional ideas, look for creative solutions, compare best practices among similar communities, and seek to be emblematic of a forward-thinking community of the future.