Five key points form the foundation of my goals on City Council.

1. A robust cityscape with vibrant, safe, neighborhoods.

As a member of the Neighborhood Advisory Board, I have taken leadership in speaking up for City policies that enhance the quality of life, appearance and safety of our neighborhoods.

I will continue this work by

-- making sure our neighborhoods and streets are safe

-- supporting our City's Land Use Plan, understanding that it is a flexible document that can change

-- enhancing Code Enforcement efforts

-- encouraging new neighborhood associations and cultivating collaboration among neighborhoods

-- ensuring safe rental housing for students and everyone who rents, anywhere in the City

-- maintaining & creating safe avenues to reach campus and downtown

2. Safe homes and streets.

We have a moral duty to make sure our citizens are safe at all times -- in our homes, downtown and anywhere in Greenville.

To  maintain this level of safety, we must

-- support our Police Department with the resources it needs

-- send a zero-tolerance message that our community will not allow violence, crime or vandalism 

-- cultivate a strong, engaged community

-- strengthen neighborhood associations and the sense of pride we share in our neighborhoods

3. Economic development, including green initiatives.

To attract well-paying jobs and growth, we need a community with an exceptional quality of life.

More than 60,000 well-paying jobs could come from North Carolina's participation in the green economy. We should make sure some of these jobs are in Greenville!

We can claim these jobs by welcoming green industry, along with all types of business and industry, to our community.

 We can seek new avenues of collaboration among our local agencies to foster growth

-- Chamber of Commerce

-- Pitt County Development Commission

-- Uptown Greenville

-- Convention & Visitors Bureau & others

We can also continue to work hand in hand with our educational system to nourish education and training programs that benefit the entire region.

-- East Carolina University

-- Pitt County Memorial Hospital

-- Pitt Community College

-- Pitt County Schools

4. A thriving Uptown area.

An indicator of a City's overall economic health is its downtown area. We need  to support our downtown and its redevelopment. We also need to make sure people who enjoy its nightlife have a safe, enjoyable experience.

Events such as the Umbrella Market, Art Walk and Freeboot Friday bring out the best in our community, and we can encourage more events here.

We can also seek new ways to fund downtown improvement efforts.

5. A walkable, bikable City with parks and open spaces.

We can take leadership in bringing better health to our community by sponsoring parks and open spaces where children and people of all ages can enjoy themselves.

It costs about $60 million to build one mile of urban highway. Greenways are an investment in our future. Every dollar invested in greenways makes Greenville a more walkable, bikable City, lowering the need for more highways.

Walking and biking will reduce our need for foreign oil, support the environment and lower our personal energy costs. It's healthier, too!

I fully support the Pedestrian and Bicycle Commission proposed by the Bicycle Task Force.