Often, good and interesting policy ideas come from unexpected conversations. At my campaign kickoff this month (July 22), a neighbor pulled me aside with an intriguing suggestion. He owns a few rental properties in the city and has been researching ways to make long-term housing more affordable for local workers.

Real Solutions, Not Just Promises - When I tell you I can deliver results for Traverse City, I'm not asking you to take my word for it. I'm asking you to look at what I've already accomplished. In every role I've held, from coordinating multi-million dollar transit projects to negotiating public-private partnerships to managing enterprise sales teams, I've focused on one thing: getting results that improve people's lives.

I spend a lot of time thinking about how to sustainably grow our community while keeping what makes it special. One thing that doesn't get enough attention is how building affects our local rivers and lakes. That's why I support riparian buffers – and I want to explain why this matters for all of us.

Traverse City is defined by its natural splendor - our old-growth, tree-lined streets, the Boardman River winding through downtown, the serenity of Boardman Lake, and, of course, our iconic views of Grand Traverse Bay. These aren’t just features of a postcard - they’re part of our daily lives and why so many of us choose to call this place home.

When you picture the Traverse City we all love… tree-lined neighborhoods, kids playing in yards, and the walkability of a classic Midwest town - you probably imagine a place where it feels safe to let your kids ride their bikes to school or run down the block to the park.

As Traverse City grows and evolves, one of the most pressing challenges we face is housing - how to create more of it, without compromising the historic charm and neighborhood character that makes this place special.

This is the first in a four-part series exploring how Traverse City can thoughtfully reinvest the funds that will return to our general fund with the expiration of TIF 97. By balancing smart planning with a respect for our small-town character, we can preserve the charm of our historic neighborhoods while making conservative, forward-thinking improvements to housing, infrastructure, and safety - especially for the next generation of residents.

Today's ad hoc meeting on Traverse City's Complete Streets policy brought together city leaders, staff, GTSSA, and residents. Key topics included learning from Joplin and Marquette, prioritizing native species, affordable traffic-calming ideas, and applying Smart Growth America's principles. Neighbor input was highlighted as vital, and we discussed practical solutions for State Street like converting traffic lights to four-way stops. The focus is on action and progress for Traverse City.

BATA is taking bold steps to enhance transit in Grand Traverse County. With a new headquarters, expanded service routes, and advanced technology like real-time bus tracking, BATA is making public transportation more accessible and convenient for residents. These updates connect more people to essential destinations like Munson Medical Center and local grocery stores while providing affordable commuting options to downtown Traverse City. By listening to community feedback and embracing innovative solutions, BATA is creating a transit system that meets the evolving needs of our semi-rural community.

Data has emerged as one of the most valuable resources in the ever-evolving landscape of automotive retail. Dealers today sit on mountains of shopper data gathered over decades - data that, when activated strategically, can transform sales processes, improve customer experiences, and drive higher revenue. Enter the "Data Ups" concept, a groundbreaking way to leverage your dealership's data to create actionable sales opportunities.