The RB Landmark sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2025. The Landmark’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
Political experience
Village Trustee since 2021. Chair, Cross-Community Climate Collaborative (C4). Co-Chair, Ad-Hoc Sesquicentennial Committee.
Community experience
Village of Riverside Preservation Commission; Visit Oak Park; Olmsted Society of Riverside; Riverside Arts Weekend; Central School PTO.
How will you balance Riverside’s history and Olmstedian design with future development? How do you balance development with conserving tax dollars?
Though it’s the prototype for the modern suburb, Riverside is unique. As stewards of this national landmark, we can’t sacrifice that which is character-defining. However, we can still be strategic about development by targeting commercial areas in need of improvement and promoting applicable Federal, State, and County incentives to encourage private investment.
How do you perceive Riverside is changing? What is the village board’s role in creating change, preserving history, or blending those two things?
There’s greater energy here, with an uptick in young families and new business. There’s also more awareness about climate change. People want to know the things they love about Riverside won’t change and the cost of keeping them won’t become prohibitive. The Board is facilitating a Climate Action Plan to help us meet emission reduction goals and prepare for change, all in a way that does not disproportionately burden the vulnerable. It is ambitious in scope, with great flexibility and opportunity for stakeholder involvement. Today, Olmsted’s design for Riverside is mostly intact, and it is our greatest asset. Our Sesquicentennial is an opportunity to highlight the importance of community engagement in Riverside, not just from a historical perspective, but today, and for our future as well.
Should the village seek to develop more transit-oriented development, or is such development reaching a saturation point?
There are not many commercial or multi-family properties on the market right now, so encouraging transit-oriented development, particularly along Harlem and Ogden, makes sense. Prioritizing walking and cycling access to public transportation in the design phase will help any new higher-density properties attract tenants and customers, increasing Riverside’s economic vitality.
What is the biggest challenge facing Riverside?
Maintaining Riverside’s infrastructure and municipal services with our limited commercial tax base has been an ongoing challenge. The Village receives only a small portion of every property tax bill, and our staff does an excellent job budgeting, planning, and seeking grant funding in an effort to meet most of our community needs. It is critical that we address Riverside’s dated and inadequate public safety and community facilities. I hope all residents will participate in upcoming planning discussions and support this vital capital improvement project.
As a member of the village board, how will you respond to Trump-administration policies at the local level?
The sweeping executive orders issued since the inauguration have far-reaching consequences, both intended and unintended. Though the Village Board has no ability to unfreeze federal funding for grants we’ve been awarded, we do have the ability and indeed the responsibility to encourage civic engagement at the local level. I would like all residents to feel welcome and part of our community.