So close last time
We came so close to winning last time that we felt we needed to put forth another worthy effort and try again.

Why replace Tom Hally
Tom has done some very good things for Idaho Falls. His willingness to serve in this capacity speaks volumes of his selfless service. Tom and I would no doubt agree on many things, but it’s those differences that really define that which we bring to this city. It’s certainly my contention that the voice that he brings is already being represented by numerous other city council members. When it comes to the arena of ideas, I bring a different, independent voice that will only add to the richness of discussions and more importantly, to the decisions that are being made.

I offer an Independent Voice
I offer a different voice: a voice of reason; a voice of fresh ideas; a voice of solutions; and a willingness to think outside the box. The fact that even at my age, I would be the youngest member of the council, also means that I will see things differently which, again, offers another perspective.

If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting
It’s time to listen to someone who offers a different voice and a fresh set of ideas, one that only will add to the overall understanding of the given situation.

Bring county and neighboring cities together
I am one who has always believed in being inclusive, not exclusive. The cities of Idaho Falls, Ammon, Iona and Bonneville County must be able to work together. We all must be able to be heard and we must be able to listen one to another. I will be a key figure in making this happen as we work together to find common ground.

Bike Paths
I would diligently work to have us move forward with bike paths throughout Idaho Falls. This is something which everyone absolutely could use and it cannot be done by someone else. It needs to be by the city. As the economy remains questionable, more residents are turning to biking. We need to make this mode of transportation as safe as possible for everyone. From here forward, whenever a street is resurfaced, accommodations should be included for paths.

Quality of Life
For me, quality of life has never been defined by that which the government can do for me but rather by that which I am able to do for myself and others. It is defined by the people by whom I am surrounded here in Idaho Falls. This is a fantastic community and I will continue to do my part to keep it that way. When given the chance, we can do amazing things right here in Idaho Falls!

Memorial Drive Project
Whether you agree with this project or not isn’t as important as the fact that this project moved along from inception without proper input from us, the citizens of Idaho Falls. In 1995 when the current “Comprehensive Plan” was put in place, the number of Idaho Falls residents who actually gave input when surveyed was quite minimal. Since that time many people have either moved here or have returned to Idaho Falls, including myself. To be denied a voice as to the direction of our city due to a plan that was put into place 17 years ago during a different economic climate would be to disenfranchise far too many residents. Citizens of Idaho Falls are desirous for a say in our wonderful city. Just as in a basketball game or a hoops season, we must be able to make adjustments, especially when the circumstances at the beginning of the season (or plan) greatly change during the season. With the technology available to us right now, I want to see our city begin to integrate the various resources available to us so that every resident who is desirous to have a say in this city’s future, can be heard. If the residents of Idaho Falls want the Memorial Drive Project, then by all means we should proceed with it! Likewise, I believe that all future projects should be treated in this manner by including the voice of the people.

Government is never so close to the people as it is when it’s local
This is where the people are to be most involved with their government. It is locally where the common man can actually have a “say” in that which happens. It’s difficult to have a “say” at the national level, but it should be much more accessible locally. In order for the citizens of Idaho Falls to have a say, they NEED to know the facts and current proposals. This means that we need to embrace the technology that is immediately available to us right now at a minimal cost in order to disseminate pertinent information to all affected.

Transparency and Citizen Communication
We need to embrace technology to provide greater involvement & input from Idaho Falls citizens as well as more transparency. I have a number of ideas that, if implemented, would go long way in accomplishing this objective.

a) Record City Council Meetings & Post on the City website: let’s face it, most citizens do not attend these meetings for many reasons. But if you don’t attend, it would be nice to be able to know exactly what occurred in the privacy of your home by watching or listening to the recorded council meeting and ‘tabbing’ to the part about which you are most interested in learning. This would be fairly easy to incorporate and would provide the most accurate and transparent feedback available. I also believe that if this was done, more people would get involved and be informed because we would have provided an easy means to do so. This is not a novel idea as many other cities are doing this very thing. It would also be possible to post on various local radio stations, all in an effort to provide easy access.

b) Monthly City E-newsletter: currently we are informed of most city happenings via the newspaper, TV, radio or word of mouth. If you don’t take the newspaper, didn’t catch the evening news report, listened to the radio at the wrong time or don’t have very informed friends, how do you know that which is occurring within our city? You don’t. I am proposing a campaign for the majority of City of Idaho Falls Utility paying customers. We are all currently being sent through the mail a “hard paper copy” of our bill. If we were to initiate a process of going to electronic billing, just as we have electronic payments, the savings could be enormous. I have a current bill in my hand. The cost? The postal cost says .36; then we have the envelope in which it came plus the envelope for payment; we have the actual bill as well as 2 other papers advertising the library and fire prevention week. Between all of this and printing, I’d say this easily cost us $0.65 + cents per customer. But for a conservative estimate, let’s say it cost $0.50 x 25,000 household billings. That is $12,500 per monthly billing cycle x 12 months or $150,000. Imagine how we could apply savings from something as simple as this. Maybe this could go towards some safe bike paths or employee benefits? Certainly it’s roughly the wages of 4 city employees. But once we begin to transition towards this, think how much more effectively we could begin to communicate with all of the residents here. Wow! This is just exciting to think about the possibilities here. It would be a process, but as with anything, you’ve got to start somewhere to make it happen.

c) Bi-monthly guest editorials in the Post Register: Here all city council members would rotate as guest editorial writers concerning an area of the city over which they preside or they would address a topic that is of vital concern at the time. The questions could come from the people of Idaho Falls. This would provide another arena for both transparency and communication. I certainly would do this.

d) Monthly Forums: The Post Register, other media outlets and civic organizations would also be an ideal partner with the entire city in sponsoring monthly forums so as to address current issues before a large public audience.

e) 30-day Sunshine Clause: any officially proposed city ordinance would require 30 days review before moving forward. In this way constituents would have an opportunity to review proposed ordinances & become involved before any final decisions are made.

f) Technology can promote city assets: once we are able to send out City E-newsletters, we can then begin to promote our city assets in an efficient manner. In this way we can better help to generate money through user fees, including “coupon” specials with discounts and give-aways, such as 2 for 1’s. Examples of this might be that through our records, we know that month “X” is a very slow month for the zoo. This would then be the time that we promoted the zoo via a “special.” The golf courses, the Aquatics Center, the library, etc. would be no different. These examples and more could be highlighted to promote them, thus increasing their exposure and ability to pay for themselves.

g) Webinars: I plan to use these as another means to articulate the happenings within the city. These can be scheduled once a month and address particular issues of importance. Not only will I do this, but invitations will be extended to all other council members to also participate. In this way the citizens of Idaho Falls will be able to watch and listen to that which is occurring from the comfort of their own homes.

Attract more businesses to Idaho Falls!
I am quite impressed with how things have proceeded in attracting Areva to this area. I know that many people had a hand in bringing them here.  Honestly, a great deal of credit must be given to Mayor Fuhriman for working so effectively with all of those involved, including the Idaho Department of Commerce, state legislators, local community members, and Linda Martin from our economic development group Grow Idaho Falls.     I am also very hopeful that Areva will be able to employ many of our citizens who have been recently laid off, are without work or have had their work hours greatly reduced. These are the people about whom I am so concerned when I speak of prioritizing our spending and accounting for every dollar. We can best help those in this unfortunate circumstance by attracting more businesses here to Idaho Falls!  Not only will this continue to help our people and our own economy but more tax paying businesses will ease the burden that so many are already carrying.  Successfully attracting businesses like Areva to our community also requires forward-thinking infrastructure plans to ensure we have the ability to provide needed utilities and services to companies looking for potential sites. 

Looking for uncommon results!
As a Women’s Division I Basketball Coach, the very first player that I ever recruited to play for us at UC Santa Barbara was a great young lady named Cori Close. As it would turn out, she would be the impetus to our first two Big West Championships and NCAA tournament wins as well as our top 20 national ranking! Not surprisingly, Cori began coaching and even took my place at UC Santa Barbara when I left to coach at BYU. From UCSB, Cori went onto coach at Florida State where they finished ranked in the top 10. This past summer, however, she was hired as the new Head Women’s Coach at UCLA. I was struck by something that she said recently in regards to her team. She said their theme this year was: “We are looking for uncommon women that are willing to make uncommon choices to yield uncommon results” I just love that! And such is exactly what is needed at this time, in this city for this situation. Can we as a city make some uncommon choices that will yield some uncommon results which will ultimately lead to the best possible future for Idaho Falls? I am ready to lead the way. I just need your support; your vote – November 8th!