My Priorities for Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest is facing important decisions about public safety, housing, water, infrastructure, economic development, and how we grow as a community. The choices we make today will shape Ridgecrest for years to come.
I believe good local government starts by listening, considering the facts, and seeking out multiple perspectives. City Council members represent the entire community—not a political party or only those who agree with them. I will approach issues not through a partisan or ideological lens, but by asking one fundamental question: What is good for Ridgecrest?
My priorities reflect a commitment to keeping Ridgecrest strong, safe, affordable, and sustainable while ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect our future. They provide the framework I will use to evaluate issues, consider different perspectives, and make decisions based on what is best for Ridgecrest.
Public Safety & Quality of Life
Keeping Ridgecrest safe is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. I support providing our police, fire, and emergency services with the staffing, resources, training, and technology they need to protect our community effectively.
Technology can be an important public-safety tool, but its use should have a clear purpose and appropriate safeguards. I do not support mass or indiscriminate surveillance of our community. I support technology that helps law enforcement investigate crime and protect residents when its use is targeted, transparent, and balanced with appropriate protections for individual privacy.
Public safety is also about quality of life. Safe neighborhoods, well-maintained streets and public spaces, emergency preparedness, and addressing community concerns before they become larger problems all contribute to a stronger Ridgecrest.
Strengthening Our Relationship with NAWS China Lake
NAWS China Lake is an essential part of Ridgecrest’s identity, economy, and future. A strong relationship between the city and the base benefits both communities.
As Ridgecrest makes decisions about housing, infrastructure, economic development, public safety, and quality of life, we should consider how those decisions support the people who work at the base and help ensure Ridgecrest remains a strong partner to the Navy.
Infrastructure & Streets
Reliable infrastructure affects everyday life in Ridgecrest—from the condition of our streets and drainage systems to public facilities and the infrastructure needed to support housing, businesses, and future growth.
I support making maintenance and repair a consistent priority rather than waiting until problems become more expensive to solve. The city should plan for long-term infrastructure needs, aggressively pursue available state and federal funding, and be transparent with residents about which projects are being prioritized, what they will cost, and when they can realistically be completed.
As Ridgecrest considers new development, we also need to ask whether our existing infrastructure can support it and who will bear the cost of necessary improvements.
Economic Development & Local Business
A strong Ridgecrest needs a strong local economy. I want to support the businesses that are already invested in our community, make it easier for entrepreneurs to succeed, attract responsible new businesses and investment, and find meaningful ways to reduce the number of vacant commercial buildings throughout our city.
NAWS China Lake is an extraordinary economic asset to our region, and we should continue strengthening the relationship between the base and the community that supports it. At the same time, Ridgecrest should continue developing a diverse local economy that creates opportunities beyond any single employer or industry.
Economic development should improve the quality of life for the people who already call Ridgecrest home. When considering new development, I will look not simply at whether we can bring a project to Ridgecrest, but whether it brings lasting value to our community.
Inyokern Data Center
Although the proposed Inyokern data center is located outside Ridgecrest city limits and the City Council does not have direct authority over its approval, decisions made just outside our boundaries can still affect the people who live here.
Based on the information currently available, I oppose moving this project forward without a thorough, transparent evaluation of its potential impacts on our water and energy infrastructure, environment, public services, and quality of life.
Economic development matters, but it must make sense for our desert community and our limited resources. As a council member, I will advocate for Ridgecrest residents, ask the difficult questions, and support the City’s efforts to ensure our community’s interests are represented throughout the review process.
Housing & Responsible Growth
Ridgecrest needs housing that meets the needs of the people who live and work here—from young families and working professionals to seniors who want to remain in our community.
I support responsible housing growth that considers affordability, infrastructure, water, existing neighborhoods, and the long-term needs of our community. Growth should strengthen Ridgecrest while preserving the qualities that make people want to call it home.
When considering new housing and development, I will ask the same fundamental question that guides my approach to other issues: Is this good for Ridgecrest and the people who live here?
Water & Ridgecrest’s Future
A reliable and affordable water supply is essential to Ridgecrest’s future. Water bills are already too high for many Ridgecrest residents, and decisions involving our groundwater basin and proposed water importation projects could have significant long-term consequences for household costs, local businesses, housing, and future growth.
Residents deserve clear information about the options being considered, what they will cost, how those costs may affect ratepayers, and what each option means for our community over the long term. I will ask questions, seek the facts, and advocate for transparency as these decisions move forward.
We must find solutions that protect our long-term water supply without losing sight of what residents can reasonably afford. Water policy must balance sustainability with affordability because the choices we make today will shape Ridgecrest for generations.
Fiscal Responsibility & Transparent Government
Residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent and why important decisions are being made. I support responsible budgeting, clear priorities, long-term financial planning, and regular, understandable communication about the city’s finances.
Transparency also means making it easier for residents to understand what is coming before the City Council before decisions are made—not simply explaining those decisions afterward. Major proposals should include clear information about costs, benefits, risks, and long-term consequences so residents have a meaningful opportunity to participate.
I will ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and explain the reasoning behind my decisions. Residents may not always agree with every vote I cast, but they should never have to wonder whether I listened, did my homework, or considered how that decision would affect Ridgecrest.