1. Spending by the oil and gas industry on local races casts doubt on whether voters can trust their elected leaders to protect them from the impacts of pollution and climate change. Will you pledge to refuse any donations from the fossil fuel industry?
Yes, I pledge to refuse any and all donations for the fossil fuel industry.
2. According to the most recent data from the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2017 Pasadena had the second-highest number of senior pedestrians killed or injured in traffic collisions, and the fourth-highest number of people on bikes killed or injured, among 58 similarly sized cities across California. What can the City do to make our streets safer for everyone, especially older adults and children? Do you support a Vision Zero policy for Pasadena?
I just read a little about Vision Zero. I’m open to it, but I also like to consider issues on a case by case basis. Sometimes automatic law is a bad short cut for thinking. What can we do to make the streets safer? In East Pasadena, we have too many people running stop signs. We need police presence here to issue citations. We need to better time our street lights. Where are these so-called traffic engineers? I need to meet with you to learn where the most egregious, dangerous traffic situations exist in Pasadena for seniors and kids, especially East Pasadena.
3. Pasadena streets around schools are frequently unsafe. This discourages parents from allowing their children to walk or bike to school, and makes the health benefits of active transportation inaccessible for many Pasadena youth. If elected, how would you prioritize student safety and mobility around schools?
I sometimes rode my bike to Assumption (Sierra Madre Blvd x Orange Grove). I went down Paloma instead of Orange Grove, even back then. So parents and kids should know the safer streets to ride on. Also, I’m open to stricter traffic laws around schools and, of course, more police presence for traffic enforcement.
4. Pasadena Transit service is currently limited in many Pasadena neighborhoods, with service stopping at 7pm and not even provided to some neighborhoods on Sundays. In addition, many bus stops in Pasadena lack basic amenities like shade and seating. With so many older adults and other residents who cannot drive a vehicle, how can the City improve the comfort and convenience of its local bus service?
Well, you identified the answers in your question. I’m running against traffic / over-development in East Pasadena. A better transportation plan must be in place *before* we consider any and all higher density rezoning.
5. According to Pasadena’s Climate Action Plan, transportation is the number one source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the City of Pasadena, responsible for an estimated 52% of emissions. Gas-powered mobility is also the largest source of greenhouse gases in California, with GHGs increasing in recent years as more Californians purchase larger and less fuel-efficient SUVs and trucks (almost 60% of new car sales in California were SUVs in 2018), and drive more miles. Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles statewide, these developments are now threatening to derail the state’s 2030 climate goals. What can the City do to support greater use of sustainable transportation and reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions?
I’m totally guilty of this. While I drive fewer miles than most, I bought a used SUV last year, my first one ever. We need to invest in solar powered charging stations. We need to continue benefits for electric powered cars on freeways. Perhaps we put a moratorium on housing near freeways until TRAP is diminished to safe levels for kids and seniors? That could get developers more sympathetic to our cause.
6. Pasadena lacks a safe network of separated lanes for bicycling, scooting, and other modes of micro-mobility. The few existing routes too often consist of narrow, unprotected striped lanes placed directly adjacent to fast-moving cars or shared use lanes marked with ‘sharrows’ in which people on bikes are put in direct conflict with drivers. The lack of safe space for these users often results in sidewalk riding, where conflicts with pedestrians are more likely to take place. Do you support building out a robust and connected bike/roll network with protected lanes to enable residents of all ages and abilities to get around safely, and if so, how will you work to make this a reality?
Yes, absolutely, but not through a road diet on Orange Grove. That failed because the first road diet in East Pasadena was on poorly executed on Sierra Madre Villa. We have to find locations that it will succeed, perhaps Paloma? Perhaps Union? Also, we need the bike lanes inside of the street parking, next to the sidewalk. I would like someone from Keep Pasadena Moving and Bike The Vote to meet with me so I can understand if there is any common ground.