Building a Better Pittsburgh

“I plan to raise my family in South Pittsburgh, and I want our children to enjoy the same close-knit support system that helped me grow and succeed. The neglect of our neighborhoods cannot continue. We deserve better.”

I am running for Pittsburgh City Council to renew our neighborhoods. We in District 4 pay our fair share of taxes, but don’t feel like we are getting a fair shake from city government. While other neighborhoods in Pittsburgh have seen investment and growth, we have been ignored.

When our neighbors vote with their feet and move out of the district, that means lost revenue for snow removal, street maintenance, and swimming pools across the city. Declining populations have also had detrimental effects on both private and public school enrollment, and the quality of education for our children.

Through finding creative solutions between non-profits, foundations, and businesses – and through old-fashioned community building – we can bring our neighborhoods into the fold and improve the quality of life for all residents. It is time we had a voice on City Council who will fight to bring the resources that we deserve!

Protect Our Neighborhoods

In 2006, when my neighbor came home from Iraq, our street came together to decorate houses and trees with yellow ribbons and flags, and everyone flooded their porches and yards to welcome him back. This sense of community that I grew up with has made me proud to call Pittsburgh home. Unfortunately, more and more, rather than calling on our neighbors for friendship and support, we find ourselves calling 911 and 311 to complain about absentee landlords and crime that is taking over our streets and our lives.

I will work to take back our neighborhoods, block-by-block, street-by-street, and house-by-house. Through strengthening building inspection enforcement and making landlords accountable for violations, our neighborhoods will continue to be places where our family and friends feel welcome to come home.

I will also work with Pittsburgh Police, the Mayor’s Office, and other elected officials to ensure that our uniformed men and women have the right tools to do their jobs. Inexpensive and common sense fixes – such as using up-to-date GPS technology on all police cars – can make a world of difference. I have already successfully lobbied City Council on behalf of South Pittsburgh residents to optimize police zones and resources for our police officers, and I will lobby our state legislature for more public safety funding.

Rebuild Our Business Districts

Our business districts are the living rooms of our neighborhoods. While other parts of the city have prospered, our business districts have fallen into disrepair and neglect. Our main streets — Broadway Avenue, Brookline Boulevard, Brownsville Road and Routes 19 and 51 — have so much unrealized potential.

We must work together to make capital improvements on existing buildings, market our neighborhoods, and work with investors to bring in the types of businesses and entrepreneurs we need. When workers and entrepreneurs relocate, that hinders the progress of our entire region. We must stop this trend and support local businesses that are good for our community.

Restore Public Trust

Pension funds, community grants, youth programs, Housing Court – the list goes on and on. There are so many programs in our city government that need to be managed smartly, ethically, and with great care for the needs of the residents of District 4.

I will work to make information accessible and easy-to-understand for all city residents, and I pledge that every citizen will have the opportunity to participate and understand the sometimes complex and confusing processes of government. I will use my experience in the public and private sectors to bring accountability and insight to our city’s fiscal problems.

Lastly, as the daughter of a public employee who grew up with union values, I will work to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining a sound quality of life for all working families.