Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
I know the best spot in my ward for …
Stargazing. We have the opportunity to not go a really long distance to star gaze or see the Northern Lights.
If loving this is wrong, I don’t want to be right
Riding motorcycles.
This year, I really want to achieve …
I would like to effect some positive change in our city as far as spending goes and try to help streamline some processes so we can be more efficient when we’re doing things as a city, whether it’s approving projects or moving forward with different ideas that we have to make things better for our citizens.
What I order for the table
Mushrooms.
Never have I ever …
Been on a boat on the ocean.
How can we alleviate tax pressure on homeowners and renters?
I think we need to look at where we’re spending the tax money. It trickles to the renters when a homeowner’s taxes go up, so then the rent goes up. And I think the city needs to be very aware and really respect the fact that it’s someone else’s hard earned money that they’re spending, and they need to look at want versus need and necessity, and really respect how hard people work for that money before they spend it.
Change my mind about …
Saying yes to everything that comes up as a city project.
I wind down by …
Reading.
What’s a specific approach or policy that a community elsewhere in the country has employed to reduce homelessness that you think might also work in Missoula?
I have read and watched some documentaries on this MIT program out of Maine that tackles addiction and the recovery process. From what I’ve seen, there’s been quite a bit of success in helping people overcome that addiction. And when they overcome that, then they have a better chance of not becoming homeless and not falling victim to those things that they were part of before.
I geek out on …
History and true crime.
My best dad joke
How do you know if ants are boys or girls?
They’re all girls, otherwise they’d be uncles.
Three infrastructure priorities?
Potholes, snow removal, and just roads year-round.
My cry-in-the-car song
“You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell.
That fire levy though …
I see the need and value in more firefighters and the level of response that we can provide to people who are experiencing that kind of tragedy. However, I think before we put a levy out there, before we put a bond out there, we need to look at what we’ve already spent their money on. I see the value in what that would provide but I’m happy we’re not going back to the taxpayers and saying please give us more money.
Unusual skills
I can pick up just about anything with my toes.
Together, we could …
Find common ground.
