In 2018, my wife and I moved to Green Tree with our four children (now in 8th, 6th, 3rd, and 1st grade). From the start, we knew this was a special place—a community that takes pride in its well-maintained streets, strong public services, and family-friendly amenities, like the pool and summer programs. I am running for Borough Council alongside a group of like-minded Democrats and Republicans. We don’t agree on everything, but we all intersect at the belief that local government should remain connected to its residents, making decisions transparently, and with genuine community input.

I grew up in Brookline, bought my first home in Overbrook, and have seen firsthand how local government can become disconnected from the people it serves. Over the years, I watched decisions in Green Tree—like the consideration to replace our local police department, the attempt to outsource pool management, and the approval of an expensive and unpopular pool redesign—be made with little regard for community input. Only with a strong outburst from the citizens were we able to halt or shift the direction of these projects.

When over 400 residents voiced concerns about the pool project (which was the strongest outcry by the residents since we have lived here), council dismissed their voice with contempt as a "vocal minority." It reminded me of the times I spent at city meetings watching bureaucrats and city council make decisions which had long-lasting impacts on the community with indifference to the residents' needs. This is not how a community council should operate, especially when it exists so close to the residents.

I could not stand by while our council grew more disconnected from the public, forcing decisions which are against community input and have generational consequences. There are places where our borough can do better, while ensuring Green Tree remains the welcoming and connected local community we all live in and love.

Thank you for your consideration and support.