Howard County Council District 4

A: My top priority is taking care of people at every stage of life—investing in our children while supporting our seniors in District 4.

I will work to restore and strengthen funding for public education and support aging in place in ways that are truly affordable. As a member of the Board of Education, I have fought to fully fund our schools, support our teachers, and address long-overdue capital needs—including renovating aging facilities like Bryant Woods Elementary School and ensuring every student learns in a safe, modern environment. This remains my top priority.At the same time, our seniors deserve to live safely and with dignity in the communities they helped build. That means expanding access to affordable housing, reliable transportation, emergency services, and the support they need to remain independent and connected.

A: My top priority for the county overall is to restore and increase funding for public education.

Education must remain Howard County’s top fiscal priority. Our schools face challenges in teacher recruitment, class sizes, school deferred maintenance, and student support services. I will work to return the share of county revenue dedicated to HCPSS to pre-pandemic levels, using data-driven benchmarks to ensure accountability. By collaborating with the Board of Education, I will align operating and capital budgets with real needs to support students, teachers, and families.

A: Yes. One example is the Lakefront Library project. At a time when our county faces real budget constraints, I believe this reflects the wrong priority. Our public school system is under significant strain. In the FY2027 Capital Improvement Program, the Board of Education had to make difficult choices, and critical needs remain unmet—full renovations for Centennial High School and Oakland Mills High School, along with replacing aging HVAC systems in many schools. We should be focusing our limited resources on what matters most: our students, our classrooms, and safe, modern learning environments. Libraries absolutely matter, but we can meet those needs more responsibly. The existing Central Branch Library can be upgraded at its current site or potentially relocated into available space at Columbia Mall. What matters most is the quality of services, programs, and accessibility—not an expensive new façade at the lakefront.

I would have taken a different approach. I would work with my colleagues to realign our capital priorities toward school renovations and capacity needs, and advocate for a fiscally responsible plan that reflects our community’s most urgent priorities.

A: Education is a “team sport”. The County Council plays a critical role in supporting education by setting funding priorities, providing oversight, and ensuring accountability to our community. My experience on the Board of Education uniquely positions me to be an effective advocate for our schools. I understand how the school budget is developed and where the needs are most urgent.

Before the budget reaches the Council, I would work closely with the school system and the County Executive to ensure education priorities are clearly communicated, data-driven, and aligned with community needs. Building that partnership early is essential to securing adequate and sustainable funding. If the County Executive’s proposed budget falls short, I would use my position to advocate—both publicly and collaboratively—for adjustments. That means engaging residents, teachers, and parents to make a clear, fact-based case for stronger investment in our schools. At the same time, the Council must ensure that funding is used effectively. Budgeting should be responsible, transparent, and built on consensus—reflecting our shared commitment to providing every child with a high-quality education.

A: Addressing the housing shortage in a land-scarce county like Howard County requires a balanced and realistic approach. We should focus on making better use of what we already have. That means encouraging gentle infill, mixed-use development, and targeted redevelopment in areas near jobs, transit, and existing infrastructure—rather than expanding into our remaining green space. Tools like accessory dwelling units and “missing-middle” housing can increase supply while preserving community character.

At the same time, we need to be intentional about who we are serving. Priority should go to residents with the greatest needs and strongest ties to the community—such as seniors, people with disabilities, educators, and essential workers who keep our county running.Finally, the Council should use every tool available to make housing more attainable: targeted incentives, strategic use of County-owned land, and clear requirements for long-term affordability. Public investment must lead to lasting impact—not short-term gains. The goal is a housing strategy that is sustainable, fiscally responsible, and aligned with the needs of our community—so people who live and work here can afford to stay here.

A: My top priority for District 4 is ensuring that the residents who built this community can afford to stay in it. That means expanding affordable housing options, protecting seniors on fixed incomes through meaningful property tax relief, and making sure working families are not priced out of the place they call home.

A: Countywide, my top priority is equity ensuring that Howard County’s prosperity is shared by all of its residents, not just some. That means intentional investment in education, economic development, and community infrastructure in areas that have historically been underserved.

A: I believe the council has missed opportunities to move more boldly on affordable housing and renter protections. Specifically, I would have pushed harder for rent stabilization policies that give renters greater stability and predictability. I also believe the county could have acted sooner and more decisively to address the needs of our growing senior population, particularly around housing affordability and aging-in-place supports. I also would have voted for the ability to fund the Housing Opportunity Trust Fund without all the amendments.

A: The County Council plays a critical role in funding and supporting our schools and that responsibility should be taken seriously. Beyond the budget, the council must be a strong advocate for equity in educational resources, ensuring that every school in every part of the county has what it needs to help students thrive. I also believe the council should support wraparound services that address the barriers many families face outside the classroom housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of access to mental health resources.

A: The council must take a multi-pronged approach:

•Expand the supply of affordable and workforce housing through zoning reforms and incentives for developers who include affordable units.•Protect existing residents through rent stabilization policies that prevent displacement.•Establish or strengthen senior property tax credits so that older residents on fixed incomes are not forced out of their homes.•Partner with nonprofits, faith communities, and the private sector to create innovative solutions that meet our residents where they are.

A: My top priority for District 4 is equitable placemaking through the revitalization of our village centers. These spaces are the heartbeat of our community and we must ensure they remain vibrant hubs that provide essential services and foster connection. I am proud to lead a broad based coalition supported by the HCEA Apple Ballot, IAFF Local 2000, AFL-CIO, and LiUNA. This range of endorsements from educators, first responders and essential workers underscores a shared mandate for implementation focused leadership. I will focus on turning policy plans into reality by advocating for smart land use and infrastructure investments that improve walkability and accessibility. My goal is to ensure that every neighborhood in the district feels the benefits of our county’s growth while preserving our unique character. I will work to manage our growth responsibly and sustainably. We will build a district where every family can flourish and every resident is heard.

A: My top priority for the county is the responsible and intentional implementation of HoCo By Design. We must ensure our zoning code and capital budget align with our long term vision for smart growth. This means balancing modernization with the preservation of our green space and the capacity of our schools. I will use my executive experience to bridge the gap between policy planning and practical results. By focusing on sustainable development and public accountability we can build a county that remains a leader in quality of life for all residents.

A: I would have voted to expand the bonding authority for the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund to include affordable rental housing rather than limiting it to homeownership projects. While supporting homeownership is vital we missed a critical opportunity to address the full spectrum of our housing crisis. Bonding is a necessary tool for scaling production but it must be applied comprehensively to be effective. As I shared during my testimony on CR-40 we cannot solve our housing shortage with a piecemeal approach. My vote would have supported a broader authority that empowers us to create both rental and homeownership opportunities while simultaneously pushing for the revenue and land use reforms necessary to sustain them. We need a structural foundation that addresses the needs of our entire community rather than limiting our tools to a single segment of the market. This type of implementation focused leadership is required to move beyond incremental steps and deliver real results for every resident.

A: The Council plays a vital role in education by ensuring our budget reflects our community values and by coordinating land use with school capacity. As the District 4 candidate endorsed by the Howard County Education Association I am committed to being the partner our educators and students need. We must provide consistent and reliable funding to support our teachers and staff while addressing the infrastructure gaps that impact the classroom environment. As a parent of two Howard County students I will prioritize a collaborative relationship with the Board of Education to address overcrowding and ensure our facilities are modern. My endorsement by our educators reflects a shared vision for a system where teachers are supported and every student has the resources to succeed. The Council must be a proactive partner in ensuring our schools remain the primary reason families choose to call Howard County home.

A: To address the housing shortage the Council must move beyond rhetoric and focus on the intentional implementation of our land use policies. As a first generation American and a caregiver in the sandwich generation I understand that housing is the foundation of opportunity and stability for every family. We must modernize our zoning code to allow for a greater diversity of housing types including missing middle options like townhomes and duplexes which are essential for our workforce and seniors. This requires streamlining the regulatory process to lower barriers for attainable development while maintaining the high quality standards that define Howard County. By focusing on transit oriented development and the revitalization of our existing village centers we can create walkable vibrant communities that connect people to jobs and services. My approach balances the urgent need for new units with the preservation of our environmental resources and community character. We must leverage every tool including the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund to ensure that our county remains a place where families can grow and thrive. It is time for implementation focused leadership that delivers real results and ensures our growth is both sustainable and equitable.

A: My top priority for District 4 is to improve affordability and support for the families and seniors who are the heart of our community.

We should make it easier to raise a family, build a life, and age with dignity in Howard County.As a working mom, I understand the daily balancing act so many families face, the rising cost of childcare, healthcare, housing, utilities, and simply trying to maintain stability while planning for the future. I also know our seniors deserve to remain in the communities they helped build, without being priced out or forced to struggle for basic needs.I’m focused on lowering these major costs / providing low cost alternatives, strengthening public schools, and expanding access to the resources families and seniors rely on. Getting this right will improve public safety and retain our residents and businesses.Our children are our future. They will grow this county, build its businesses, and one day care for the generations that came before them. We owe them fully funded schools and strong neighborhoods.And we owe our seniors security, dignity, and the ability to age comfortably in place.When families can thrive and seniors can stay, Howard County remains the kind of place people are proud to call home.

A: Returning Power to the People:

Every day, decisions are made at the county level that directly affect our families and seniors, and too often, those decisions happen with little transparency and almost no public input. That has to change.My top priority is making sure Howard County government truly works for the people it serves. When we’re making big decisions that affect the health, safety, and future of our neighborhoods (whether it’s new business development, innovation, or zoning) every impacted voice deserves a seat at the table.When our community faced a proposed toxic plastics facility next to our homes, I saw firsthand how these decisions get made without us. I know what it looks like when the process fails people, and I know what it takes to fight back.I’m committed to building a more transparent, collaborative county government: one that restores trust, invites real community input, and delivers policies that actually work for Howard County families and seniors.

A: There have been several moments where I believe stronger action or better amendments were needed.

For example, ZRA-218 should have more clearly accounted for APFO and the real impact growth has on school capacity and infrastructure.During the HCPSS capital budget process, Oakland Mills High School should have remained a mandatory part of the renovation plan. Parents and community members advocated for that, but the plan changed at the County Council meeting, and it felt like it was simply rubber-stamped because that had become the practice.And when CB11-2025 came forward, legislation that could have better protected families from a toxic incinerator planned near our neighborhood, I would have voted differently. Protecting residents’ health and safety should always come first.Leadership means asking hard questions, making thoughtful amendments, and being willing to challenge the status quo when the community’s well-being is on the line.

A: The County Council may not run our schools, but we have tools to shape how well they serve our children and our community.

First, the power of the purse: When the Board of Education identifies funding gaps, the Council has a responsibility to step up and fill them. A well-funded school system is not a luxury. It is the foundation of a strong community.Second, the power of the podium: The Council should be a consistent, vocal advocate for students and families, ensuring that decisions made by HCPSS truly reflect the needs of the broader community, not just those with the loudest voices in the room.And third, proactive partnership: When the Council and the Board of Education are working from the same playbook, we make smarter decisions, spend more wisely, and deliver better results for teachers, staff and students. With proactive partnership, we will stay aligned on priorities, support the needs to our famiiles, and ensure our investments reflect these needs.Every child in Howard County deserves a great school. The Council’s job is to make sure that promise is backed by real action and real dollars.

A: Howard County needs more housing but not just any housing. Development must meet the needs of our community: built on land that is safe and environmentally sound, delivered in a timely manner, and with genuine choice across housing types and price points.

Zoning rules decide what gets built, where, and for whom. Right now, those rules need to work harder for everyday residents. Howard County has invested a lot in supporting builders and developers. We should be putting that same effort into helping families afford to live here.That means requiring that new developments include affordable housing options. It means creating down payment assistance programs so more people can own a home. And it means stronger renter protections so that families aren’t one rent increase away from losing their home.When we invest in people and ensure residents have a voice, we build neighborhoods that last.