A COMMUNITY-CENTERED VISION FOR SAN MATEO

In my view, a top priority of government is to build and maintain strong public infrastructure that supports sustainable economic growth and public safety. For example, the floods of early 2023 showed that our aging infrastructure is not ready to face new climate realities. Recognizing this problem required immediate action, and I rallied the community to secure millions in new investments from the City of San Mateo and pass the Community Flood and Stormwater Initiative. This is the sort of real-world, can-do attitude I plan to bring to other critical infrastructure and public safety matters.

Other issues I’m currently focused on include pedestrian safety, especially around schools, equitable implementation of San Mateo’s Smooth Streets program, saving our beloved community centers and pools across San Mateo, mitigating the city’s wastewater treatment challenges, reducing fire risk, and ensuring ongoing investments in our amazing public schools.

Civic leaders, especially in local government, can’t live in an ivory tower. I was compelled to push for change, and ultimately run for office, because my house and neighborhood flooded. While my journey started with rising waters on my street, over the past year, my eyes have been opened to tens of other serious issues facing our city. I learned about these issues from fellow citizens after forming and leading the Shoreview-Parkside Neighborhood Association, spearheading the Flood Free San Mateo coalition, and most recently, joining the San Mateo Neighborhood Watch board. If leaders aren’t willing to engage early and often with the community, they won’t understand what people truly want and need. I plan to lead with an open-door policy focused on listening to all members of the community versus special interests.

Let’s be real, few issues rile up our community like the question of whether or not to expand development inside of San Mateo. I’m not naïve about how important and fierce this debate is, but I refuse to accept the notion that development is either all good or all bad, which is how many leaders currently frame the issue.

When I speak to my community, they want productive, community-centered compromise. They want more affordable housing – which is desperately needed – but they also want projects to be well-placed and fully considered with the community in mind. I plan to look at every new development project with an open mind, but I will also make sure we ask the following questions:

• What steps have developers taken to engage the community and secure their support?
• How will projects and developers support the wider community, including new jobs, green spaces, compelling retail environments, infrastructure improvements, and overall community wellbeing?
• What are the near-term and long-term expected economic benefits of development?
• How will projects impact traffic and pedestrian safety, and support greater usage of public transportation?
• How will projects impact surrounding infrastructure, including our electricity grid, stormwater flows, sewage systems, and parking?
• How will projects meet or improve upon our city’s design standards?

Overall, while I believe new development is absolutely required to address urgent housing challenges and ensure the long-term economic and social vibrancy of San Mateo, we need leaders who are willing to ask tough and important questions about every project to ensure our community is well-understood and fully represented. I am this type of leader.