Perspectives on Key Issues
I believe that Truro faces multiple serious issues, and we must be able to address ALL of them at the same time. There is no room in town government for "single-issue thinking," which quickly leads to divisiveness and hampers important progress.
We can make progress on all of these issues together if we think creatively and work collaboratively with a unified purpose.
Affordable Housing
I absolutely support developing affordable housing. The workforce is being priced out of the housing market. This is a national problem, but it is particularly acute here. We need to work on it locally and regionally. I don’t view supporting regional solutions to affordable housing in other towns as being a NIMBY decision, as I feel that we also need to support affordable housing here in Truro. Shortages of personnel, due to lack of housing that is affordable, impacts all sectors: building, landscaping, care givers for seniors and for people with disabilities, the medical field, restaurants, retail stores, dental, veterinarians, plumbing, contractors and so on. Without affordable housing for our workforce, Truro will suffer. And we also need housing for seniors, people with disabilities, and more. Everyone needs housing. However, we can not address one problem to the peril of the others including protecting our drinking water, and confronting climate change.
Protecting Truro's Drinking Water
According to the Cape Cod Commission our drinking water quality has been declining for the past 15 years. It has recently been referred to as a “nitrate crisis.” If we do not design properly now, we will ultimately be facing huge expenses to implement very expensive town-wide water treatment facilities as some other towns have needed to do.
Preparing for Climate Change
It is here, and it will get worse. This is a subject that will need to be addressed collaboratively as a town and include the Conservation Committee, the Health Department, the Climate Action Committee, and others.
Increasing Community Engagement
In order to effectively confront these three key issues, we need to work together in a transparent process that encourages community engagement and dialogue between the various boards and committees. I will put my efforts, as I have during this campaign, to meet people where they are. I want there to be cooperative and respectful dialogue. According to the National Association of Counties, research shows that communities that fully engage its citizens can better develop plans for affordable housing and address the needs of residents. I believe that community involvement brings together more ideas, reduces misinformation, creates momentum for problem solving, and produces better results.