Our Issues

Be honest — does life feel easier than it did eight years ago? Do you feel safe walking downtown, morning or night? If you’re working hard to support your family, does the cost of living still feel crushing — rent, groceries, childcare? And if you’re starting a small business or renovating your home, has the permit process felt simple or like a maze? For me and too many of our neighbors, the answer is no. I hear it, I feel it, and it’s why I’m running for Mayor of Bremerton: to make our streets safer, cut red tape, and make City Hall work for working families — so everyday life gets a little less heavy and a lot more hopeful.

Protecting Bremerton: Smart Solutions for Safer Neighborhoods, Built with Care and Common Sense

If you’ve felt less safe walking to your car, letting the kids bike to the park, or opening your shop in the morning — you’re not alone. Crime in Bremerton has risen faster here than in the rest of Kitsap County1 and Washington State, and that shows up as real stress in our daily lives.

Behind every statistic is a neighbor, a family, a small business. We deserve a city that feels safe, welcoming, and well cared for — and we can get there with practical steps that blend accountability, connection, and follow-through.

1) Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs.

From Day One, I'll Make Bremerton Safer:

✅ Get serious about code compliance — with compassion. We’ll tackle nuisance properties, unregulated encampments, and neglected areas that invite crime and undermine safety. That means clear standards, consistent enforcement, and coordinated help where it’s needed — so blocks and people feel cared for again.

✅ Back our first responders with the tools to succeed. Protect those who protect us. I’ll invest in staffing, equipment, and training so police, fire, and EMS can respond fast and safely — and I’ll make sure our community is listened to every step of the way.

✅ Fix small problems before they become big ones. Proactive, problem-solving policing helps address repeat thefts, vandalism, and other low-level crimes early — so they don’t escalate into something worse.

✅ Strengthen community-based policing and trust. Safety grows when officers know the people they serve. We’ll expand neighborhood engagement — including restoring bike patrols in business districts and residential areas — so officers are visible, approachable, and part of the fabric of our community.

This isn’t about more sirens. It’s about more presence, stronger relationships, and steady results. If this sounds like the Bremerton you want, let’s Bridge a Brighter Bremerton!

Attainable Housing for Working Families: A Critical Need in Bremerton

Over the past seven years, the cost of living in Bremerton has skyrocketed, making it harder than ever for working families to afford a home. Average rent and home values have increased by 50%, reaching $1,750 per month2 and over $483,000 per house3.

Costs keep climbing, but regular folks aren’t seeing any real progress on being able to live and stay in Bremerton. Working families are getting priced out while more shiny ‘luxury’ apartments go up. We need real solutions that open up housing people can actually afford and protect longtime residents from being pushed out — not just more buildings none of us can pay for.

2) RentCafe Average Rent – Bremerton, WA (https://www.rentcafe.com/average-rent-market-trends/us/wa/bremerton)3) Zillow Home Values – Bremerton, WA (https://www.zillow.com/home-values/37560/bremerton-wa)

As Mayor, I'll Deliver Real Change:

✅ Put working families first. Focus on building homes regular people can actually afford — not just more high-end condos that leave our workforce behind.

✅ Cut the red tape. Fix Bremerton’s slow, messy permitting system so builders, homeowners, and small developers can get shovels in the ground without waiting months on end.

✅ Boost affordable options. Partner with local and state agencies to offer real incentives that help folks add backyard cottages (ADUs), duplexes, and other “missing middle” homes that fit our neighborhoods.

✅ Protect our neighbors. Growth should strengthen communities, not push people out. We’ll fight displacement so longtime Bremerton families can stay in their homes.

✅ Bring home the dollars. Work side-by-side with state and regional partners to secure funding that builds housing for the people who power Bremerton’s economy — our teachers, shipyard workers, and small business employees.

Homelessness in Bremerton: A Crisis That Demands Action

Homelessness is still one of Bremerton’s biggest struggles, and we haven’t seen real progress in years. Despite making up only one-sixth of Kitsap County’s population, Bremerton is home to more than half of the county’s unhoused population4 — shouldering a disproportionate share of the crisis and its local impacts. Homelessness isn’t something you fix with slogans — it takes a real plan. I'm the only candidate talking about a full pathway out, not just quick patches. That means teaming up with community partners to expand treatment for addiction, strengthening mental health services, and building transitional housing so people can get stable and back on their feet. It’s a real roadmap, not more empty promises.

Bremerton is ready to lead on real solutions — but I know we can’t do it alone. I'm the only candidate willing to go to bat for our city and advocate for our residents. I know that meaningful solutions require equitable partnerships with our neighboring towns and county. Because Bremerton shouldn’t shoulder the cost of this crisis alone.

4) 2024 Kitsap County PIT (https://kcowa.us/kitsap-pit)

How I Will Move Bremerton Forward:

✅ Go beyond Band-Aids. We need more than just short-term shelters — real pathways to stable housing, job training, and treatment that actually help people get back on their feet.

✅ Make every dollar count. Taxpayer money should go to programs that prove they work — the ones that get people housed and keep them there.

✅ Bring in backup. Bremerton can’t keep carrying this burden alone. I will fight to bring in county and regional dollars so our city isn’t stuck paying the whole bill.

✅ Keep our community safe and livable. We can care for folks in crisis and keep public spaces safe, clean, and open for everyone. Both matter — and my plan does both.

Smart Streets and Reliable Ferries: Connecting Bremerton’s Future

Bremerton’s growing quickly, but our transportation system is stuck in the past. People need safe, reliable, and accessible options — whether you’re driving to work, hopping on the ferry, riding a bike, or just trying to walk your kid to school.

Instead, we’ve been left behind. Ferry service keeps getting cut, commuters are wasting hours in long lines, and local businesses are paying the price with lost time and lost customers.

On top of that, our streets don’t connect the way they should. Sidewalks are missing, bike lanes disappear and are unprotected, and too many families don’t have a safe way to get their kids to school. Walking or biking shouldn’t feel like taking your life in your hands.

Bremerton deserves better — a transportation system that actually keeps pace with the city we’re becoming. That's why I'm solely endorsed by Washington Bikes.

As Mayor, This Is My Commitment to Bremerton:

✅ Fight for full and reliable ferries by working with state and local officials to ensure Bremerton gets its fair share of service.

✅ Build safer, connected streets that connect neighborhoods and city centers, making walking, biking, rolling, and strolling real options for residents.

✅ Advocate for expanded and more reliable bus service by working with Kitsap Transit to improve safety, frequency, and accessibility for all riders.

✅ Prioritize modern, accessible infrastructure that supports safer streets, better transit, and long-term sustainability, giving residents real choices for how they get around.

Environmental Stewardship and Vibrant Parks: Preserving Bremerton’s Natural Beauty

Bremerton’s got it all — miles of shoreline, freshwater lakes, bluffs, wetlands, and some of the best views of the Olympics and Cascades you’ll ever see. But all of that is under pressure. Urban growth and climate change are putting real strain on the natural beauty that makes our city special.

If we don’t act now, we risk losing what makes Bremerton home. That’s why we need to step up — protecting our ecosystems, investing in smart growth, and making sure every resident has access to safe, well-kept parks and open spaces.

I'm committed to protecting Bremerton’s environmental treasures for today and for the next generation. From our shorelines to our trails, I'll fight to make sure the places we love aren’t just preserved, but improved and accessible to all. That's why I'm solely endorsed by Washington Conservation Action.

Bremerton can grow without giving up the natural places that define us.

My Environmental Action Plan:

✅ Fix up and Expand Our Parks. Keep our parks safe, clean, and full of life with better amenities so kids, families, and seniors all have great places to enjoy the outdoors.

✅ Stop Polluted Runoff. Upgrade stormwater systems so we keep oil, chemicals, and trash out of our creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound — protecting our health and marine life.

✅ Build Green, Build Smart. Push for rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavement so rainwater goes back into the ground instead of flooding our streets and polluting our waters. Invest in rooftop solar and charging stations for our city buildings.

✅ Get Ahead of Climate Change. Work with regional partners to prepare for sea-level rise and stronger storms, making sure Bremerton stays resilient and ready for the future.

Supporting Small Businesses and Growing Our Arts & Tourism Economy

Small businesses are the backbone of Bremerton. They create jobs, support local families, and give our city its character and charm. And let me be clear — this isn’t some campaign promise. Supporting small businesses, growing our arts scene, and building up tourism are things I’ve been working on long before I ever decided to run for mayor.

As mayor, I’ll keep that work going. I’ll make sure small business owners have the resources, partnerships, and streamlined processes they need to not just survive, but thrive.

I know firsthand the struggles that come with running a small organization. When I led a nonprofit, I had to fight through red tape, stretch budgets, and hustle for funding. That’s the same fight so many small business owners face every day — and it’s exactly why local government needs to be a partner, not a hurdle.

Bremerton should be a place where entrepreneurs feel supported, where small shops and restaurants can grow, and where our arts and tourism economy lifts up everyone. That’s not just vision — it’s work I’ve already been doing, and I’m ready to take it further as your mayor.

Real Solutions, Not the Status Quo:

✅ Put customer service first. City departments should help, not hassle. We’ll cut the runaround so permits, zoning, and business licenses are clear, fair, and fast — letting business owners focus on growth, not paperwork.

✅ Train and hire local. Partner with trades, apprenticeship programs, and Olympic College so small businesses can hire skilled workers and create good-paying jobs right here in Bremerton.

✅ Revive our business districts. Team up with the Downtown Association, Charleston, Manette, and other local groups to secure state grants and Main Street incentives that keep our storefronts alive and our history intact.

✅ Fight for small business resources. Bring in state and regional dollars, tax breaks, and technical support so local entrepreneurs have the tools to succeed.

✅ Boost tourism and recreation. Expand waterfront access, promote local events, and support the shops, restaurants, and outfitters that bring visitors — and dollars — to Bremerton.

✅ Build a city people are proud of. Strong businesses need strong communities. That means affordable housing, safe schools, good parks, and welcoming public spaces that make Bremerton a place where people want to live, work, and play.

Addressing Bremerton’s Healthcare Crisis

Bremerton is in the middle of a healthcare crisis. Provider consolidation, the loss of Harrison Hospital, cuts in Navy medical coverage, and a growing population have left too many families waiting too long — or going without care altogether.

I didn’t wait around for someone else to fix it. One of my very first actions on the City Council was to take this crisis head-on. As a founding member of the Alliance for Equitable Healthcare, I rolled up my sleeves and called on providers across the state to invest in Bremerton.

That work paid off. I’m proud to say MultiCare is now opening the first ER near Bremerton since Harrison shut down in 2020 — a major step forward in restoring emergency care for our community.

But this is just the start. Bremerton deserves reliable, affordable healthcare close to home — and I’m the only candidate with a track record of actually bringing it here.

I Want to Build Upon What I've Already Started:

✅ Bring more providers to Bremerton. Recruit clinics, urgent care centers, and even new hospital services so families don’t have to drive across the bridge just to see a doctor.

✅ Fix Navy healthcare cuts. Push our federal leaders to restore coverage for Navy personnel and civilians, so the pressure isn’t all dumped on our already strained local system.

✅ Train up our own workforce. Partner with Olympic College, WSU, WWU, and other schools to expand healthcare job training so we’ve got more nurses, techs, and providers right here in Bremerton.

✅ Give voters a say. Support the community’s right to decide on creating a Public Hospital District — a fair, sustainable way to fund healthcare access for everyone.

Efficient and Transparent Government: Serving Bremerton’s Citizens

Bremerton deserves a government that works as hard as its people — responsive, transparent, and accountable. Right now, too many residents and small businesses are still hitting walls with permitting delays, confusing processes, and poor communication that slows progress and kills opportunity. Offices are only open 9am to Noon on weekdays. Our local government should be open and clear with folks, not a maze of red tape.

Taxpayers also have every right to know how their money is being spent. Instead of vague reports and wasted dollars, we need clear oversight, open books, and real accountability so people can see their tax dollars at work. Transparency isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the foundation of trust. And without trust, government doesn’t work.

It’s time to cut the nonsense, shine a light on how decisions are made, and make our local government work for the people again.

Here's How I'll Fix Bremerton:

✅ Fix the broken permitting system. Cut the delays, slash the red tape, and make it easier for businesses and homeowners to get projects moving without endless hoops to jump through.

✅ Be transparent — for real. Open up city hours for working folks, and make it so people can actually see decisions, budgets, and plans. And when the community speaks up, we’ll do more than just “check the box” — we’ll act on it.

✅ Respect taxpayer dollars. Hold city government accountable by making sure every dollar is spent wisely, strategically, and with real results residents can feel.

✅ Bring in professional oversight. Explore city administrator or manager models that put experienced professionals in charge of daily operations — so things run efficiently and aren’t bogged down by politics.

✅ Work with City Council, not against them. Build a modern, productive partnership that gets things done and keeps Bremerton moving forward.

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