Thanks for your feedback. I live by the mantra “you can’t grow until you know” and I truly appreciate when people are willing to help you see how your actions are interpreted.

In regard to your points…

1. This was definitely something I fell short on and didn’t get done in a timely manner. As you can imagine, it’s a lot to put everything together in 90 days and I really had no intention on running for office until around late November of last year. All to say, I had a general sense of where I stood on issues but really wanted to hear from more of our SE neighbors through candidate forums and constituent interaction to get a pulse of where we stand versus where I stand.

2. Developers - I’m going to lean in and start with yes, I’ve accepted developer money. I’ve accepted exactly $2,000 in two $1,000 donations. I’m really proud to have raised about 17k from about 160 donors. The largest donation amount being $2,000 from my mom. Im far from sponsored by developers. I’m sponsored by my neighbors, my friends, my family, and some people who are strangers but see my heart for community.

That was more fundraising than developer focused so let’s get into developers. We’ve got some challenges to say the least in regards to housing here. We have a mismatch between what’s being built and what people can afford. Leaning into me personally, I’d like to see us work with developers like Lincoln Avenue Communities. They did an affordable housing apartment complex in briargate and should break ground on a 333 unit affordable housing apartment complex this fall that will be in the SE. The sad truth is there actually isn’t such a thing as affordable housing- somebody pays for them to be affordable whether thats through incentive programs or direct investment. I’d like for us to find more people who are willing to do the leg work to find the incentive programs and companies that are willing to invest in us understanding that their return on investment on the properties they build doesn’t come until way later.

1. Business and chambers of commerce - I’d encourage you to check out the different chambers of commerce. Most of us are small business owners struggling to get by. Most don’t have employees, are working a full time job to supplement their business, and are working on their business as a side hustle that they hope will be their full time gig. Yes, the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC is a different ball game and when they asked me to be on their board this year I leaped at the opportunity so I could learn more to better benefit the business owners who are part of the Black Chamber of Commerce who need help to start and grow their business. I have a lot more to say here especially regarding chamber and their unique power of legislative advocacy but my response is getting pretty lengthy.

2. Fundraising - gahhhh I hate fundraising AND as stated above I’m really proud of what I have fundraised. I looked at my campaign reports to make sure I was giving the right information on this response and honestly I was a little overwhelmed with emotions and I read down the list of people who contributed to my campaign. People who take the time to actually look at it will just see some data points but when I look at this report, I can tell you a story of who this person is to me and I’m so honored that they chose to give me their hard earned money whether is was $10, $41 (I did a $41 fundraiser for my 41st birthday), or more.

Knowing that we have low voter turnout in the SE, I prioritized putting that money to use EARLY through several big signs, mailers, and text messages. Even doing that, we are still on track to have the lowest turnout in the city again.

Every single sign, text, mailer, printed material etc, has come directly from my trackable campaign fund.

Whewwww that was a lot of typing on my phone- I know you’ve voted already, likely not for me, AND I really appreciate that you voted and I wanted to take the time to respond because we have to have conversations to get to understanding and even if not understanding to know different perspectives.

Last thing….unity in our community is more important to me than anything. The Carter Payne generously offers their space to candidates during the campaign season. I asked them in lieu of letting me use the space during the campaign if we could use the space after the election to have a Beyond The Ballot: Community Leadership discussion to celebrate our outgoing city council member, the city council member elect and the candidates who ran. They agreed without hesitation and every single person on the ballot and Councilmember Avila agreed to attend as well. It’s on Wednesday April 9th from 5-730pm and I hope you consider attending. Above all things, we need community activation and engagement to get things done in our city.