Philosophy

I believe government should work as a facilitator. Leaders should prioritize their goals (based on the needs and desires of the people) and then set systems into place to help the citizens achieve those goals. As an example, I recycle in Boone not only because it's good for the environment but also because the town makes it so easy. I put my recyclables in the "Blue Bin" provided by the town and set the bin at the curbside once a week for collection. It's simple! Sure we need regulations to protect public health and safety, but let's find more creative ways to achieve our goals as a town.

As another example, if the town wants developers to provide more attractive greenspaces on their sites, then the town needs to help the developer design more attractive greenspaces. Instead of giving the developers only rules and ratios, the town should show the developer photographs and diagrams of what the town is looking for and what the town is not looking for. Sure the town needs to invoke some rules and ratios, but let's also show some guidance with examples.

Next, the town needs to ask the developer if maintenance of the landscaping is going to be a high or low priority. If it's going to be a low priority, the town needs to make sure the landscaping is low maintenance. Nothing looks worse than a neglected flower bed. Sometimes one simple tree in a patch of grass can be more awe-inspiring than 40 shrubs. Like my 6th grade teacher at Hardin Park--Elizabeth Horton--told me one time: "Quality is more important than quantity."