With the 2020 election season in full swing, candidates for the Sedona City Council were asked a variety of questions about them­selves as well as why they’re running.

Q: How long have you lived in Sedona?

Chris and I have owned our home in Sedona for over 10 years and have lived here full-time for four-and-a-half years. We knew for a long time that we wanted to settle in Sedona.

Q: What do you or did you do for a living?

My background is government service. Before moving to Sedona full-time, I was the Superintendent of Highways for the Town of Rhinebeck, N.Y., elected to five terms of two years each running the town’s public works agency. I oversaw capital project plan­ning, service delivery, agency budgeting and personnel. Earlier, I worked for the New York State Assembly as a Communications Director. Before that I ran the New York City agency that coordinated land use review, city services delivery and permit applica­tions for Midtown Manhattan. I worked on everything from large scale projects like the redesign of Times Square to liaising with the police department on behalf of community organizations. My varied government background has provided strong experience for the Sedona City Council.

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Sedona?

There is so much to enjoy about Sedona: The great mix of people; the beautiful red rocks; all the wonderful things that are offered here, like OLLI, our movie theaters, fun music venues, great restaurants; and wonderful art in every form. There is always something interesting going on, whether it is a program at the Sedona Heritage Museum, Sedona International Film Festival, Yavapai Community College, or the concerts and movies that the city puts on in Posse Grounds Park. I enjoy being active and engaging with people and have never been busier since moving here. I have met fantastic people every step of the way.

Q: Do you have any hobbies or interests?

I volunteer with several community organizations and enjoy working in the community. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Sedona City Planning and Zoning Commission and I serve on my HOA Board. I like riding my electric bike around our Sedona neighborhoods, especially in the evening when it cools down. I also enjoy swimming and try to take a daily walk or a short hike. I enjoy taking classes at OLLI, especially ones focused on history or civics, and going to see movies.

Q: Why are you running for Sedona City Council?

The work that the council does impacts our everyday lives, right here in our community. The issues that come before the council determine how our city grows, what services are offered, and how we protect our environment. Council discussions need to consider different points of view to get to the best decisions. I will bring to the table my professional experience and my enthusiasm for listening to people’s suggestions and ideas. There are a lot of big projects and big decisions coming our way. I want to help connect govern­ment to its roots in the community so that we can truly deliver the services that our neighborhoods need, now and in the future.

Q: How will you help lead the city through the current COVID-19 pandemic?

The virus is a serious threat that calls for a strong response. The popularity of our area and the influx of tourists increase transmission risks as people travel from region to region. The governor has limited the ability of coun­ties, cities and towns to respond on a local level with the exception of masks. I believe that the council needs to be a strong advocate for our community, whether dealing with the governor’s administration, the county Departments of Health, or private businesses, and that council needs to let the community know how it is representing our inter­ests. Communication is key. We must keep an open line of contact with area health professionals and be a proactive provider of information. We need to identify what people need, whether it is other sources of aid, supporting non-profits with which the city has a relation­ship, or providing direct services where we can. Our local economy is strained. We must all do what we can to protect the health and safety of our community while making sure that businesses can operate and that people are employed.

Q: Aside from COVID-19, what do you feel are the next three biggest issues facing Sedona?

There are many important issues before our community. Our current situ­ation with the coronavirus is an over­shadowing presence, but we should not lose focus on the long-term issues that will shape the future of our community: Land use and sustainability; housing availability and affordability; traffic and transportation.

These issues are all linked. Our land use decisions impact housing and traffic. When housing is accessible to public transportation, it will be used more. Public transportation is a factor in miti­gating traffic. Less traffic is better for our environment.

Lack of affordable housing affects an employer’s ability to attract a consis­tent workforce and has led already to a decline in local school enrollment which, in turn, makes it more difficult to attract employers. Affordability is impacted by the growth in short-term rentals. Seniors lose an ability to locate aging in place facilities as land costs increase. These are all interconnected.

No one issue can be looked at without considering its implications across all areas. I want to bring that view to the council.