Issues
Top 3 Priorities for Covina
1.) Fiscal Stability: We must restore Covina’s financial health. I will insist on transparent budgeting, prioritize core services over “nice-to-have” projects, and demand clear metrics so residents can see where every dollar goes.
2.) Neighborhood Quality of Life: Residents deserve safe, well-maintained neighborhoods. I will focus resources on streets, sidewalks, lighting, parks, and public safety so families feel secure on their own block.
3.) Smart, Balanced Growth: Growth must work for Covina, not just developers. For every project I’ll ask: Does it create good local jobs? What does it do to traffic and parking? Does it fit the neighborhood and protect our small-town character? If it fails those tests, I’ll have a difficult time supporting those projects.
Financial Transparency
We need to open the books and have clear rules. Covina already posts agendas and videos quickly, and I support keeping that. But residents shouldn’t have to hunt for our financial disclosure forms. I will push to put every councilmember’s FPPC Form 700 and conflict-of-interest disclosures together in a single, easy-to-download attachment on each council member’s bio page so anyone can see our business interests in a couple of clicks. I will also put our campaign finance reports on council bio pages so residents can clearly see who is donating to each council member, including who is maxing out at the $5,900 contribution limit. There have been plenty of $5,900 checks flying around this election, and voters deserve to see that without digging through multiple pages or documents. Finally, I will support stronger recusal rules so no council member votes on items that benefit their own businesses or their friends, because residents are tired of favoritism in city decisions, and I will hold regular town halls so people can ask questions and get direct answers.
Business Development
Covina should prioritize a modern, proactive marketing strategy to strengthen business development. Beyond traditional outreach like conferences and direct recruitment, the City needs to increase how it presents itself across digital platforms through better social media, targeted campaigns, and engaging newsletters that highlight opportunities and success stories. At the same time, we must take business retention more seriously. Covina is losing longtime community staples like Powell Camera, a business that helped define our city. We should be asking why and acting sooner. Why does Covina not have a specialized team within the economic development department that regularly checks in with local businesses, identifies challenges early, and offers solutions before they consider leaving? The City can also play a more active role in business transitions by helping connect owners with potential buyers or partners to keep legacy businesses operating locally. Covina can combine strong marketing with intentional retention efforts. Covina can position itself as a proactive, business-friendly city where companies choose to invest, grow, and stay.
Smart Growth
Smart, balanced growth means new development has to work for Covina’s families first, not just for developers. For every major project, I look at three basic things: does it create good local jobs, what will it do to traffic and parking, and does it actually fit the neighborhood and protect our small-town character?
That includes privacy for people who live right next to new buildings, like neighbors suddenly facing a three-story project that looks directly into their backyards. I support adding housing and strengthening our local economy while complying with state housing laws, but we need to get the details right: height, setbacks, windows, screening, and design that respects existing homes. If a proposal can’t show clear benefits for residents and real solutions for its impacts, I’ll work to fix it so growth is a win for both new neighbors and the people already living nearby.