In 2024 Knightdale property values were reevaluated. Most of Wake County understood the impact on families.  Wake County Commissioners understood this would be devastating for residents and decreased property taxes more than $-0.14 per $100.  Apex, Fuquay, and Garner each decreased by $0.10.  Wake Forest, Wendell, Rolesville, Raleigh, Morrisville, and Holly Springs decreased by 5-10 cents per $100.  Knightdale dropped 1 cent. Currently Knightdale has one of the highest municipal tax rates in the county.  It may be necessary, but if this is the case the reasons are not clear to me at this time - and I have asked. I support capacity building, the police and fire departments, however the burden can’t destabilize the 65% of residents that are homeowners.

This summer I was an “Educator of Excellence” and traveled with the NC Museum of Natural Science to South Africa. My roommate was a Zulu teacher that was also a representative in local government. We visited Nelson Mandela’s capture site, and she shared that she went into politics because she knew her precinct could do better to serve children. We can no longer leave child welfare to schools alone. Our town can do better to creatively support our children. It may be recruiting more child care centers, academic camps, ecology internships, non-profit partnerships, or collaborations with WCPSS, but we can do better. “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” - Nelson Mandela

Our Constitution is the foundation for all government from local to federal.  I am dedicated to protecting the Fourth and Fifth Amendments for all persons in Knightdale. The Constitution clearly states “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures.”  Further no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law” by any branch of government. I have only had exemplary experiences with Knightdale PD, and I have every confidence in the professionalism of our police. As a Council member I may have no authority over other agencies, but I will leverage my position and be a voice for any visitor or resident of Knightdale that is denied these human rights.

I support most of Knightdale’s 2024 “Affordable Knightdale & Housing” plan - fostering partnerships with nonprofit developers like Habitat for Humanity, creating mixed-income neighborhoods, fast tracking the permitting process, promoting permanent affordability through structures like community land trusts, and ensuring housing integrates with walkability, transit, and nearby services.

I am cautious using working class tax dollars to expand affordable housing when Knightdale is considered THE affordable housing by Zillow and Rent.com. We need to take pause and consider the impacts of plans when our schools already have high populations living in economic disadvantage.  

Affordable housing is the buzz, but I believe Knightdale is already doing its part. We need to keep our focus on supporting our current homeowners who are invested in our community, and are struggling to meet rising taxes, insurance, HOA’s, energy and food costs.