Born and raised in the driftless
Born and raised in the Mount Horeb area. Running for Village Board on April 7 because I love this community and believe we deserve leadership that listens before it decides.
PRIORITY 1
Protecting our historic downtown
New Glarus, Stoughton, and Galena have built thriving economies around exactly this kind of historic identity. We are at a tipping point between capitalizing on ours or giving it away.
I strongly oppose large, suburbanized mixed-use apartment buildings on our historic Main Street. These buildings would kill our small-town feel and destroy the heritage tourism economy our downtown depends on. Our own 2024 Comprehensive Plan calls for a downtown that is “attractive and aesthetically unique, not a suburban feel.” I will hold the Village Board to that vision.
“Instead of suburbanized big-box buildings, let’s make our downtown an even greater destination — and grow responsibly everywhere else.”
PRIORITY 2
Increasing transparency in local government
Transparency is essential for trust. Our current village leadership may meet the minimum legal requirements for open government — but we deserve better. Residents shouldn’t find out about major development proposals at the 11th hour, after hundreds of hours of planning have already happened behind closed doors.
If elected, I will work toward:
– Push-notification systems so residents can sign up for updates on the topics they care about most
– Online Q&A forums where officials and constituents can have genuine two-way conversations
– More flexible public comment processes — including pre-registration and overflow meetings when turnout demands it
– Earlier public disclosure of development proposals, with mandatory community Q&A sessions before any project advances
“Government that informs its residents — not surprises them — is the foundation of trust. We deserve that standard.”
PRIORITY 3
Promoting affordability
Housing is a critical need in Mount Horeb — I believe that. We need more options, more variety, and more opportunities for all families to put down roots here and make it their long-term home. Rising costs affect everything from rent to property taxes, and the Village Board has a responsibility to take that seriously.
But the answer isn’t market-rate studio and one-bedroom apartments on our historic Main Street. I support expanding housing options — especially genuinely affordable opportunities for all families — in locations that make sense, align with our Comprehensive Plan, and contribute to the kind of community people actually want to live in for decades.
“We need housing people can afford, in places that make sense. Those two things aren’t in conflict — if we’re willing to make thoughtful decisions.”
