Our streets are cracked, storm drains overflow, and parks have been neglected for far too long. Meanwhile, downtown receives shiny new sidewalks while many neighborhoods are left behind. Every resident deserves the same investment.

I will launch a Neighborhood Infrastructure Fund focused on repairing roads, sidewalks, and drainage where the need is greatest. Neglected areas will be prioritized using resident-led planning committees, not political donors.

We can also put people to work by hiring local contractors and using city contracts to train and employ Winter Haven workers.

Finally, I will make sure infrastructure investments support healthy living by incorporating shade trees, gardens, and clean water solutions. I will also publish public infrastructure audits online so the community can track progress and hold leaders accountable.

Florida’s natural beauty is part of who we are. Our lakes, trees, and clean air are not luxuries—they are essentials for healthy families and a thriving community. Winter Haven must take better care of its own backyard.

I will crack down on polluters who dump waste in our lakes and neighborhoods, and I will ensure that our water and sewer systems are upgraded to prevent overflows, bacteria, and lead from reaching families. To make our city healthier and more inviting, I will expand tree cover, shaded walking areas, and green spaces across working neighborhoods.

We must also restore and protect our natural areas so that every child can grow up with clean air to breathe and safe water to drink. Finally, I will launch public education efforts that help residents protect their health while also preserving the beauty that makes Winter Haven such a special place to live.

The rent is too high, and wages are not keeping up. Meanwhile, state restrictions make it difficult for cities to act, and too many developers are focused on building for profit rather than people.

I will push to create Community Land Trusts so that neighborhoods—not speculators—control their own land. I will work to convert city-owned and vacant properties into affordable homes and cooperatives. Developers who receive public incentives must be required to include affordable units in their projects, and families facing eviction should have access to expanded emergency rental assistance.

Protecting the affordable housing we already have is just as important. I will enforce lease transparency, ensure security deposits are returned fairly, and connect tenants to free legal aid. At the state level, I will advocate for reforms that give cities more power to protect renters

from unjust evictions.

Too many decisions in Winter Haven are made behind closed doors and rubber-stamped by officials who do not live the struggles of everyday residents. It is time for a city government

that is not only for the people, but by the people.

I will champion Participatory Budgeting, giving residents the ability to vote directly on how part of the city budget is spent.

I will create Neighborhood Councils that advise the City Commission and ensure community voices are part of the decision-making process.

I will host monthly People’s Forums where residents can raise issues, ask questions, and help shape policy. I will reform the city’s contracting rules so that local workers, small businesses, and underrepresented firms are given priority.

And I will defend workers’ rights by supporting public unions, fair wages, and strong labor protections on all city-funded projects.

Winter Haven families deserve safe, well-maintained parks. For too long, the city has expanded its footprint with new parks while failing to maintain the ones we already have.

Our Parks Department is overworked and underfunded, and this shortchanges the residents who depend on these spaces.

I will push for fair funding and staffing for the Parks Department, and I will advocate for a “fix it first” approach—making sure our current parks are repaired, upgraded, and well

cared for before the city considers expansion.

Too many people in our community are living on the streets without opportunities to get back on their feet. Families also deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhoods.

I will work with local nonprofits and county partners to provide real pathways out of homelessness, making sure resources reach those who need them most.

At the same time, I will fight to lower costs and cut red tape so affordable housing can be built faster and more efficiently.

Finally, I will ensure that city safety policies are focused on fairness, community trust, and the well-being of every resident.

Events like Carols in the Park and Ghouls Night Out once brought families together and gave Winter Haven its unique sense of community.

Over the years, too many of these traditions have disappeared.

I believe these events are more than entertainment—they enrich our culture, bring neighbors closer together, and make our city more attractive to new families.

That is why I will work with residents and local businesses to restore beloved traditions and create new cultural events that strengthen Winter Haven’s identity and spirit.

Our city cannot continue to punish our neighbors for low-level marijuana offenses while resources could be invested in schools, parks, and infrastructure.

I support ending the overcriminalization of marijuana possession and usage in Winter Haven.

This means redirecting law enforcement focus away from minor offenses and towards serious public safety concerns, while ensuring that individuals previously convicted for marijuana-related offenses have opportunities for expungement and reintegration into our community.

Too many working families are burdened by rising property taxes that do not reflect their ability to pay.

I will fight for a city budget that prioritizes essential services—like roads, water quality, and affordable housing—without overtaxing homeowners.

This includes exploring equitable revenue alternatives, holding corporations accountable, and ensuring that our budget reflects the values of our community rather than catering to big business interests.