My story.
Or how I ended up on city council.
I have been a grass-roots volunteer in the Boulder community for the last 22 years. Each experience broadened my understanding of my neighbors and their experiences living here. I started out volunteering for the School Accountability Committee at Foothill Elementary, and then the District Accountability Committee. While my kids were in elementary school, I helped low-income families participate in sports programs through the Sports for All program. I personally met with families to help them understand the registration process at recreation centers and access scholarships.
In 2013, I ran for school board, serving eight years including four years as President during the pandemic. During that time I improved my governing skills, learning how to run effective meetings while giving clear guidance to our Superintendent. I am most proud of increasing investments for our low-income and English-language learners, developing policy and measures to address disproportionate discipline, upholding our anti-discrimination policy that includes gender identity and expression, and finally addressing significant systemic gaps implementing Title IX.
I chose to run for city council to address issues I learned about through these experiences. I saw a clear need to create housing that works for families, including middle income, in addition to affordable housing and student housing. I have been serving on the Long Range Advisory Committee for BVSD, looking at the root causes for our declining enrollment. Housing type is a part of the problem.
The city needs to prepare for a changing climate, anticipating more frequent flood and fire. The city also needs to maintain and grow its vibrancy, by creating safe public spaces, supporting local businesses that make Boulder Boulder, and creating new experiences for residents and visitors. Finally, the city needs a transparent, outcome-based budget that includes maintenance of its infrastructure that residents experience every day - whether it’s bike paths, roads, clean water or recreation centers.
While we have made progress on most of these issues over the last three years, including a study and recommendations on homelessness; creating zoning that allows cottage courts; smaller homes and duplexes; steps to becoming more resilient to wildfire and power shut-offs (but more to come soon); welcoming Sundance that will bring excitement and a new creative energy; and finally some progress to clearer budgeting, there is more work to do. I would love to continue to do this work and hope you will support me. -Tina