• Local families are proud of their schools.
• Many families moved here because of the reputation of the public schools.
• Voters are concerned about the amount of money the school spends and taxes the community.
• Compared to other area schools, Carmel Public Schools are fiscally responsible for budgets. 

Carmel is a city that values education and provides a wide range of opportunities for children to learn and grow. With both public and private schools, an excellent public library, and a variety of social, physical, and knowledge-based experiences, Carmel's culture of learning contributes to the mental health of the entire community. As a council member, supporting education options, both public and private, is a top priority. The high quality of Carmel's public schools also serves as an economic development partner, attracting new high-quality businesses and their employees, which helps keep residential property tax rates low. Additionally, outstanding public schools contribute to the stability of home values in the city, and a diploma from Carmel High School is a respected and valued credential that opens doors for future opportunities to thrive for our graduates. 

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• Families feel safe in Carmel but are concerned about property crime in their neighborhoods
• People are confident in their local police department and police officers training and skills
• Families are proud of their Fire Department and have a good relationship with local firefighters

Carmel is regularly rated one of the safest cities in the United States. We can be proud of the hard work that our police and firefighters do every day to keep us safe. Carmel has undergone exceptional growth from the sleepy town of the 80’s to today.  With that growth has been an increase in crime.  Carmel has been a frontrunner in promoting transparency in its Crime Watch dashboard which helps to educate the public on the types of crimes and their locations.  Carmel has a very low incidence of violent crime, and the types of property crimes which occur in every community, such as burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft are comparatively low.   

Our fire department operates out of six strategically placed stations in the city.  The department has consistently proven a high level of commitment to customer service.  I have and will continue to work with the department in ensuring their ability to provide exceptional programs and firefighting services. 

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• Carmel has gone overboard in building apartments resulting in too many people in the city.  Individuals fear that the rapid increase in population will lead to more crime and safety issues.
• Homeowners are proud of their neighborhoods but have concerns about the type of development that might happen next door. 
• Some citizens believe the growth is being supported by tax policy that is creating too much debt and risk for everyone. 

As I listen to Carmel residents, I constantly hear a concern over the number of apartments being built in Carmel.  The concerns are real, but the solutions are somewhat difficult to realize.  The fact is that Carmel is growing quickly and not everyone in this community can find or afford the large lawn and four-bedroom home in a Carmel neighborhood.  Nor should they be forced into a housing conformity that doesn’t make sense for young professionals, empty nesters, and young families who are locating in Carmel as new hires or transfers. 

So, we have options: townhomes, condos, apartments, and income-based housing to meet the needs of our residents.  What is clear from several studies is that Carmel is not meeting the needs of our new residents and our current residents who want to downsize or transition into something different.  What I can do is insist that we keep high standards that says to developers, “You will build what we want to see in Carmel related to design, safety, amenities and not what you might want to build.”   

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• Dealing with government is often a painful and frustrating experience. 
• Carmel has several local employees who are viewed as outstanding public servants. 
• Carmel is pretty good but needs improvement in allowing public input and suggestions. 

Responsive government is critical to ensuring that the voices of voters are heard, and their concerns are addressed. It is essential for a government to be accountable and transparent, and elect officials who are willing to listen, hear, and respond to the needs of their constituents. When a government is responsive, it builds trust and confidence in the community, which leads to greater civic engagement and participation. Responsive government also helps to ensure that policies and decisions are made with the best interests of the people in mind, leading to better outcomes for everyone.  

I understand the importance and need to prioritize responsive government and am committed to representing my constituents' needs and interests. 

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