Neighborhood Issues & Insights

I’ve spent the past few months walking door-to-door to meet with everyone in our community to understand your perspective on what’s working, what’s worrying folks, and where we can do better together.

Below are some of the common themes I’ve heard, and my thoughts on each.

  • “It takes forever to get permits for small home updates, but high-density projects seem to move through so quickly.”

    My position:

    This imbalance isn’t fair. If we want to preserve Ruston’s small-town charm while still allowing thoughtful improvement, we need to make the process for existing homeowners just as efficient as new construction. Finding that balance is essential to maintaining the character that makes Ruston special.

  • “The city website is confusing and hard to navigate.”

    My position:

    This is an easy fix — and one that matters. With my background in technology and focus on user experience, I know we can make our city website clear, accessible, and resident-friendly so everyone can find what they need without frustration.

  • “City meetings are hard to attend, and it’s tough to stay informed about decisions that affect us.

    My position:

    I get it — your time is valuable. That’s why I’ll continue coming to you, instead of asking you to come to me. I also support modern solutions like live-streaming city council meetings so everyone can stay involved and informed, no matter their schedule.

  • "We’re concerned about the halted development near Promontory Park and what’s next for that area."

    My position:

    We need to address this head-on. First, the debris left behind by the bankrupt developer must be cleaned up — it’s attracting unwanted activity and lowering our community’s appeal. Then, we need to revisit the park’s future with realistic goals that reflect our current resources, policing capacity, and community needs. Thoughtful, community-led planning can turn this challenge into an opportunity.

  • "We love our neighbors — it’s one of the best things about living here."

    My position:

    I couldn’t agree more. Our sense of community is Ruston’s greatest asset. I want to strengthen that connection by supporting more neighborhood gatherings, volunteer events, and programs that bring people together.

  • "Our police and fire departments are wonderful — they really care about this community."

    My position:

    They are a huge part of what makes Ruston special. I want to continue investing in our safety departments to ensure they remain among the best-trained, most empathetic, and professional teams in the state. That means partnering with our chiefs, planning intentionally, and making sure Ruston stays a great place to serve and protect.