I'm running because Pocatello gave me opportunity when I took that leap of faith back in 2018, and now I want to give back. Building Dude's Public Market taught me what it's like to navigate city bureaucracy, deal with delays that cost real money, and push through challenges when everything seems stacked against you. I've seen how city decisions ripple through people's daily lives—from permitting processes that make it harder to start a business to housing policies that price out working families.

This isn't about political ambition—it's about civic responsibility. Just like my grandfather who served in the Navy during World War 2 and was a Pearl Harbor survivor, I believe we each have a duty to step up when our community needs us. If not me, then who? If not now, then when?

Housing, hands down. I've watched friends and employees struggle to find affordable places to live, and some have had to leave Pocatello altogether—not because they wanted to, but because they couldn't afford to stay. When a teacher or a nurse can't afford to live in the community they serve, something's broken.

But it's not just about individual hardship. When housing costs eat up too much of people's paychecks, they have less money to spend at local businesses. When young professionals leave because they can't afford to buy a home here, we lose the talent and energy that drives economic growth. Housing affects everything.

We need to treat housing like the infrastructure issue it is, not just let the market sort it out. That means updating our zoning rules so builders can actually build the housing people need—starter homes, townhomes, small apartments that don't require two six-figure incomes to afford.

I've dealt with city permitting firsthand, and I know how red tape drives up costs that get passed to renters and buyers. We can streamline approvals without cutting safety corners—we just need the will to do it.

We also need to chase every available dollar—state housing funds, federal grants, public-private partnerships. And if the legislature gives us tools like local housing option taxes, we should be ready to use them smartly.

The goal isn't ribbon cuttings or press releases—it's people being able to afford homes in the community where they work.

Transparency and accountability. People are tired of being surprised by budget decisions or finding out about major changes after the fact. I'll make sure residents know what's happening before votes are cast, not after.

That means bringing back robust public comment opportunities, hosting regular coffee hours where anyone can talk to me directly, and making sure city information is actually accessible to working people—not buried in jargon or scheduled when most folks can't attend.

Trust takes time to build, but it starts with showing up and being straight with people about what we're facing and what options we have.

I've built a business from scratch in downtown Pocatello, which means I understand both the challenges entrepreneurs face and how city policies affect real operations. I've navigated permitting, dealt with unexpected delays that cost real money, and learned how to keep going when everything seems to be working against you.

Running Dude's Public Market has also taught me about managing budgets, making tough choices about where to spend limited resources, and being accountable to the people counting on you—lessons that apply directly to city government.

I've also seen how city decisions affect people's daily lives, from the small business owner trying to get a permit to the employee who can't find affordable housing. That proximity to real challenges facing real people is what drives my commitment to practical solutions over political posturing.

I support Bicycles for Recovery, Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Idaho, Neighborworks, Pocatello Free Clinic, Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust, Senior Activities Center, Southeast Idaho Council of Governments, Inc., Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency, The Idaho FoodBank, Zoo Idaho, and many other agencies doing good in Pocatello.

These organizations strengthen our community from the ground up. They tackle real challenges—from food insecurity and housing to youth development and environmental conservation—that affect people's daily lives. When these groups succeed, our whole community benefits from a stronger social safety net, better opportunities for families, and a higher quality of life that attracts businesses and residents.

Pocatello's natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities are economic assets, not just nice-to-haves. People choose to live and locate businesses here partly because of our access to hiking, fishing, and outdoor activities.

Smart environmental policies support economic growth. When we include green spaces in new developments, we make neighborhoods more attractive and valuable. When we expand trail systems, we create amenities that attract visitors who spend money at local businesses.

Clean air and water aren't luxuries—they're basics that help us compete for businesses and residents. We can maintain high environmental standards while supporting responsible development that creates jobs and opportunity.

Growth and conservation aren't opposites—they work together when we plan thoughtfully. Expanding our trail systems and protecting green spaces actually supports economic development by making Pocatello more attractive to businesses and residents.

The key is being strategic about how we grow. Instead of sprawl that eats up open space, we can encourage development that includes parks, walking paths, and connections to our existing outdoor amenities.

We should also market our outdoor recreation assets more aggressively. When people come here to hike or fish, they eat at our restaurants, stay in our hotels, and sometimes decide to relocate their businesses or families here.

The biggest obstacle is short-term thinking. Environmental planning requires looking beyond the next budget cycle or election, and that's not always popular when people want immediate results.

There's also sometimes a false choice presented between environmental protection and economic development. The reality is that clean air, clean water, and outdoor recreation opportunities are what attract the kinds of businesses and residents that drive long-term prosperity.

We need to expand and maintain our trail systems, make sure our parks are accessible to people with disabilities, and create transportation options that help people get to outdoor recreation areas without needing a car.

I'll also work to secure funding—through grants and partnerships—to improve trail maintenance and add new connections between neighborhoods and outdoor spaces.

And we need to make sure new developments contribute to public outdoor access, not just consume it. That means requiring developers to include green space and trail connections as part of their projects.

Sustainable development means building in ways that make economic sense long-term, not just maximizing short-term profits. That includes encouraging mixed-use development where people can walk to work and shopping, requiring new projects to include green infrastructure, and making sure growth pays for itself through adequate impact fees.

We also need to focus development in areas where we already have infrastructure instead of sprawling into areas where we'd have to build new roads, water lines, and sewer systems from scratch.

Every major policy decision should include an honest assessment of how it affects different neighborhoods and income levels. Too often, environmental problems get concentrated in areas where people have less political power, while environmental benefits flow to wealthier neighborhoods.

When we're planning new developments, improving transportation, or locating city facilities, we need to make sure all residents have access to clean air, clean water, green spaces, and economic opportunity.

Regular communication through multiple channels—monthly coffee hours, quarterly town halls, social media updates, and email newsletters. But most importantly, I'll schedule these at times when working people can actually attend, not just during business hours.

I'll also work to make city information more accessible—plain-language budget summaries, clear explanations of what decisions mean for residents, and multiple ways for people to provide input before votes are taken.

Democracy works best when everyone can participate, and that means removing barriers that keep people from having their voices heard.