From our Neighborhoods For our Neighborhoods

Question #1

Electricity costs, and more atypical weather patterns. This is exacerbated for Covington residents who are dealing with heavy industry, heavy traffic from highways, upcoming new developments, and more. What steps can the city take to help tackle air pollution in our community, and to make sure our neighbors, especially low-income neighbors, are able to both survive and thrive in the coming years?

Response: Five years ago, I installed solar panels on my home because I believe leadership begins with personal responsibility. Reducing my reliance on fossil fuels was a practical way to lower my carbon footprint. As we need to reduce carbon emissions, I support efforts to support residents and businesses with incentives that make energy-saving improvements more affordable. As more homes and businesses adopt solar power and other efficiency upgrades, overall demand on the grid decreases. When demand falls, costs become more stable for everyone. It is a basic matter of supply and demand.

Question #2:  Covington has some of the densest communities in northern Kentucky and boasts bike share stations, bus stops, and more. Still, many people find it difficult to get around town safely and efficiently without the use of a personal car. Recent long-term ramp closures will exacerbate this issue. What is your vision for other types of transportation - from potential streetcar expansions, increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and potential TANK routes? How will this help all of our communities - including historically underserved neighborhoods?

Response: Covington’s transportation infrastructure has changed dramatically, and the city’s relationship with TANK hasn’t kept pace. The result is reduced connectivity, strained mobility, and entire neighborhoods — especially South Covington — are left without viable transit access. We need to strengthen our collaboration with TANK and support expanding connectivity while we adapt Covington’s current street grid to be more accommodating to alternative forms of transport including bicyclists, while improving pedestrian safety and “walkability.” This focus will further make Covington more livable and inviting for investment. 

Question #3: Recently, many police departments across the state have signed contracts with third party companies to monitor our communities. The most well-known of these are the Flock cameras. Some people have concerns not just with the public surveillance, but also with the fact that the data is controlled by a company with little public oversight. What is your position on these cameras, and how can we ensure and protect all of our neighbors’ privacy?

Response: Public safety will be my primary focus as councilman. If the data provided by these cameras increases public safety, then I will support using this technology. However, information obtained this way should remain within the purview of local government which is accountable to the people, and not used for other purposes other than to maintain public safety. We should study other models and address the issue of personal privacy in the least invasive way possible while prioritizing public safety.  

Question #4: Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati, and the state of Kentucky have a deficit of low and middle income housing. Recent developments have removed some low-income housing options in the river cities that have disproportionately impacted neighborhoods with more Black and brown residents. What steps would you like the city to take to help create affordable housing for those who want to call Covington home?

Response: It’s pretty clear to me that the private sector is a for profit sector primarily driven by its bottom line “maximizing profit”. Covington is fortunate to have the Housing Authority of Covington — an organization with deep experience serving our community, as well as partners like Habitat and HONK. In my view, the city should develop and launch a true Land Bank in collaboration with these (and potentially other) partners. With so many vacant and abandoned properties across the city, we should work to take ownership of those homes and put them back to work for the people of Covington. Adding someone to city staff with the expertise to build and manage a Land Bank, and whose sole mission is creating affordable housing, would allow us to turn neglected properties into stable, livable homes for families who need them most while maintaining Covington’s unique diversity and character. 

Question #5: Covington has a rich history of public engagement, and community members frequently engage with city staff and elected officials. What steps would you take to help make sure that residents feel connected to the city, and know how to engage the city? How can the city be as transparent as possible for all of our residents?

Response: Covington has 18 unique neighborhoods, and one thing they all share is the support and resources of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative (CNC). I strongly encourage every resident to get involved with their neighborhood association — it’s the best way to stay informed, strengthen your community, and connect with the people working to make each neighborhood better.

And if you can’t attend your neighborhood association meetings, the CNC meets on the first Thursday of every month at 6:00 PM at the Center for Great Neighborhoods. It’s a welcoming space where anyone can learn, participate, and help shape the future of Covington’s neighborhoods.

I’ve believed one simple truth for a long time: if you want a good neighbor, you must first be a good neighbor.

Question #6: Covington is home to a large, and uniquely diverse community. From our active LGBTQ+, Black and Latino communities, and those with different faiths that live and worship side-by-side in our community, to the folks who have lived in Covington their whole life, and others who have chosen to live in Covington after growing up elsewhere, it is our diversity that makes us such a great place to live. 

Response: I’ve always tried to live by the Golden Rule: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” It guides how I treat people, how I show up in our neighborhoods and work with people, and how I make decisions. Respect, fairness, and decency aren’t complicated — they’re the foundation of strong communities and the kind of leadership Covington deserves. If we truly appreciate our citizens we will do the right things to allow them to engage and contribute to city decision-making. We will give them opportunities to express their opinions and participate in decision-making. This is the basis for building trust and what I believe in deeply.