Biography
I have been an engaged resident of Milton for 38 years. Following in my father’s footsteps, I joined the Vermont Air National Guard, where I met my husband, David, in the Medical Clinic. While serving, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont and dedicated 25 years to the UVM Medical Center Rehabilitation Department.
David and I raised our two sons in Milton, where they attended the Milton Town School District. I owned and operated Street Toys from 1999 to 2003 and founded Experience Yoga in 2010, offering services in my home studio and at Footworks Studio of Dance.
My community work includes serving as Chair of the Milton Skate Club, working with at-risk youth, and creating safe spaces; serving as Project Manager for the Milton Outdoor Performance Center; and as Board President of the Vermont Reiki Association, expanding membership and regional coordinators. I also produced and starred in the independent feature-length comedy film Made in Vermont, which premiered to a sold-out crowd in 2019.
Throughout my life, I have prioritized happiness, health, and safety. My career in physical therapy has enhanced the well-being of individuals and families, while my work with Street Toys and Experience Yoga has fostered inclusive community spaces. My involvement in community projects reflects a commitment to building connections and serving others, driving my passion for ensuring everyone, regardless of wealth, has the opportunity to thrive.
Candidate occupation
Physical Therapist/Yoga Teacher
Why are you running for office?
I am running for VT State Representative in the Chittenden-Franklin district to bring my leadership, collaboration, and community-building skills to our legislative process. My life’s work has been dedicated to service, and this is the next step in that commitment.
Since founding Experience Yoga in 2010, I have fostered well-being and resilience in Milton and Georgia. I have seen our community’s struggles with mental health, addiction, poverty, and homelessness. These issues are close to my heart, and I am determined to address them with compassion, seeking effective solutions without increasing financial strain on families.
The rising burden of property taxes is another pressing concern, causing distress across our district and Vermont. We can invest in our schools, support our teachers, and create opportunities for our youth while keeping education affordable. By prioritizing balanced solutions, we can maintain our public schools as community cornerstones, fostering both academic success and communal well-being.
In these divisive times, we need collaboration and unity more than ever. By prioritizing the happiness, health, and safety of all Vermonters, I am running to ensure every voice in our community is represented.
Issues in brief
Do you believe Vermonters are better off now than they were 10 years ago?
No
Do you believe Vermont needs a new education funding formula?
Yes
Do you support imposing new taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters?
Yes
Do you support the establishment of overdose prevention centers?
Yes
Do you support a ban on flavored tobacco products?
Yes
Do you support increasing penalties for property crimes such as shoplifting?
No
Do you believe Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election?
Yes
Issues in depth
What would you do to help grow Vermont’s economy?
To drive Vermont’s economic growth, my focus will be on leading initiatives that prioritize investment in education, workforce development, and affordable housing. By championing enhanced education and training programs, I aim to prepare Vermonters for high-demand jobs, cultivating a skilled workforce that attracts businesses and fuels innovation. Addressing the housing crisis will be central to my efforts, ensuring that all residents have access to safe, affordable homes, which is essential for fostering a stable and productive workforce. By promoting equity and inclusion in these initiatives, I aim to create an environment where every Vermonter can contribute to and benefit from economic prosperity. This approach not only strengthens our economy but also enhances the well-being and opportunities for all residents across the state.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
To address Vermont’s school funding disparities, I advocate for establishing a minimum funding amount per student in state law. This approach would ensure each district receives essential funding through a fixed annual tax rate, providing a guaranteed baseline. It maintains local control over education funding decisions while allowing districts flexibility to allocate additional funds as needed through minor adjustments to local tax rates.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
I believe our state is making commendable efforts to address climate change. The Vermont Climate Action Plan, unveiled in December 2021, outlines ambitious goals to cut climate pollution by 50% by 2030 and increase resilience against climate impacts. This plan, guided by extensive community input and aligned with Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan, demonstrates a proactive approach to sustainability. While there’s always more to be done, Vermont’s initiatives signify a strong commitment to leading regional climate action and preparing for a sustainable future.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
As a concerned citizen who views gun violence as a health crisis, I believe Vermont is making good progress. Our legislators, recognizing that most gun deaths in Vermont are suicides, have passed a comprehensive suicide prevention package, including secure storage requirements, a waiting period for purchases, and a strengthened Extreme Risk law. Additionally, Vermont has enacted laws that prohibit high-capacity magazines, raised the firearm purchase age to 21, require background checks, address the Charleston loophole, and implement an Extreme Risk law.
Despite this progress, more needs to be done to insure public safety and minimize the financial burdens on tax payers associated with gun violence. While respecting Second Amendment rights, we must continue to strengthen our gun safety regulations to better protect our communities.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
To tackle Vermont’s housing crisis effectively, we must adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses both supply and demand challenges. Our focus should be on increasing the supply of affordable housing by streamlining regulatory processes and offering incentives to developers. Regional nonprofits play a crucial role in this effort, but they often face tight margins and staffing limitations. By securing additional funding, we can expand their capacity to complete more projects and hire and train more staff without raising fees.
Enhancing tenant protections is equally important. We need to ensure that tenants have stable housing conditions, which means improving access to housing-first services and better coordination between agencies. Unpredictable work schedules and profit-driven management practices can destabilize lives, including access to education and housing. Addressing these issues requires a commitment to better support systems for vulnerable populations.
Incentivizing truly mixed-income development can prevent cultural isolation and support individuals striving to improve their lives. We must also implement comprehensive homelessness prevention programs and encourage effective public-private partnerships. These collaborations should be well-designed to genuinely address the needs of our communities.
Lastly, promoting sustainable development practices and engaging with communities will help create resilient neighborhoods that cater to diverse needs while considering environmental and social equity. By adopting these strategies, we can work towards a more balanced and effective solution to Vermont’s housing crisis, ensuring that every resident has access to safe, affordable, and sustainable housing.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
To address rising homelessness in Vermont, I would prioritize increasing affordable housing, expanding mental health and addiction services, and strengthening community support programs. Collaboration with local organizations, securing funding for shelters, and implementing preventive measures to keep at-risk individuals housed would also be key strategies.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
To enhance healthcare access for Vermonters, I would prioritize expanding Medicaid coverage to encompass more low-income individuals and families who currently lack insurance. Additionally, I would champion the support and growth of community health centers across our district, ensuring they provide comprehensive services like primary care, dental care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. Promoting telehealth services would also be a priority, especially in rural areas where transportation to healthcare facilities can be challenging.
Financial disclosure
Candidates for state and legislative offices are required to submit a financial disclosure when filing to run. These disclosures include each source, but not the amount, of personal income of each candidate, and of their spouse or domestic partner, that singly or jointly totals more than $5,000 for the previous 12 months. The information provided is an opportunity for voters to learn about candidates’ potential conflicts of interest.
Financial disclosure not available for this candidate.
Disclaimer
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