I've lived in my house on The Avenue for the last 12 years, raising two kids here. I didn't pay much attention to politics for most of that time. The Thomas Fire changed that, and since about 2020 we've seen rapid change that's got me paying more attention and getting more involved. I love the Westside, and our roots are here. As I've learned more about City Hall and how decisions are made, I have come to see a profound disconnect between hard-working residents and the power-brokers making decisions. This is bad for our community and our democracy. Pondering my campaign, one of my friends said to me, "You can't change City Hall." 

To challenge that perception is why I'm running. 

This candidacy is me taking the next step -- seeking to help preserve what we love about this community and also steward growth in a way that benefits us.  I am not an experienced politician. I am someone who loves The Avenue and wants to work on behalf of the hardest-working community in Ventura.  

My priorities on city council reflect my values. 

• Keep the the Westside working. Keep it industrial and working class. Create jobs for neighbors and support our business along The Avenue. 

• Embrace our natural ecosystems. Create trails and opportunities with the land we love -- the hillsides, ocean, and beautiful Ventura River. Let's connect Harry Lyons Park to Ventura Land Trust lands! 

• Rental protections. California has good protections for renters. We need these to be communicated and enforced. City Hall said they would do this, but I will get it done. 

• Consolidate and empower our support services for our most vulnerable. Get them off the streets.  Work with the County, nonprofits, and city services to offer real solutions. 

• Make Main Street work.  Recognize this as a major artery for Westsiders and not just a tourist destination. Work with businesses to make it work, exploring a hybrid model of closure and ongoing business support. 

• No paid parking. We have revenue challenges but we also have a tendency to look at these issues in the short-term. I will bring long-term budgeting experience and a vision for how we remain solvent, while also keeping our roads paved, our communities safe, and our infrastructure robust.  

But above all I want to serve this community that I love. I meet too many people in City Hall who say, "It could be so much better." We have our challenges, of course. But we don't need to change who we are. In fact, we need to embrace it. 

Thank you for your interest and, I hope, support. 

I work in marketing at a firm that does data analytics for public safety providers. I have worked with public safety for 20 years -- writing, editing, training, and publishing for EMS, fire service, law enforcement, and 911 professionals. Essential to my success has been my ability to listen and learn from others, as well as offer visions that reflect the values of diverse stakeholders. 

Before this, I worked in boat building as a carpenter at Knight and Carver Yachts in National City. And prior to that, I spent years in residential construction in Washington State and the Bay Area, doing everything from framing to finish carpentry to masonry. I still love working with my hands and fixing things. One of the things that attracted me to The Avenue was all the industry that exists here and the good people who make it work every day. 

I grew up in San Diego with a wonderful single mother who was a school teacher. My father was a building contractor and salesman, and great positive influence on my life. My kids attend local public schools and my hope is that they can make Ventura home when they grow up. I wouldn't be considering this run for city council without the devoted support and encouragement of my wife. We have two dogs and a cat, and on a good weekend you'll find us at the beach (not the cat).