1. Describe your vision of a healthy, safe, equitable transportation system for Baltimore City and the roles walking, biking, and public transportation play in that vision.
   The vision I have for a healthy, safe, and equitable transportation system in Baltimore City is one that values each person's right to the roadways and public transportation regardless of their class status, race, or position. Many Baltimoreans are unable to afford automobiles so they rely on public transportation and bicycles as the chief means of travel to their workplaces, schools, and even for relaxation. Sadly, there are some in our communities who are inconsiderate of those who must rely on public transportation, and as a result, the roadways are symbols of that great divide. Baltimore streets are not pedestrian friendly as sidewalks, bus and bicycle lanes are absent in many neighborhoods. Moreover, many of our residents are unable to land living wage employment because some communities oppose public transportation in their neighborhoods out in the County.

2. The fastest and most economical way to address climate change, improve public health, and create equal access to opportunity is to design a city that reduces dependence on private automobiles. What are the biggest barriers to getting people to choose walking, biking, or public transit instead of personal vehicles, and what would you do to address these impediments?

   Our society has become more dependent on private automobiles as our jobs have taken us further away from our families and from our communities. Moreover, because of some of the systemic factors of poverty, classicism and racism, access to transportation has become a barrier to living more healthier and productive lifestyles. Notwithstanding, the have nots must walk while personal vehicles are flooding the streets at alarming rates. The end result is more pollution is added to the environment each day as the number of automobiles blow green house gases into the environment causing more people asthmatic related sicknesses. However, One of the fastest ways of addressing these issues is to encourage people to exercise and walk. We must also create equal access to transportation and provide education and awareness as soon as possible to our young.

3. In 2017, the Planning Commission approved the Separated Bike Lane Network plan that connects 85% of Baltimore’s neighborhoods by creating safe, protected places to ride a bike. Do you agree with the plan’s recommendations, and if so, what would you do to ensure that we fulfill the plan’s promise to build a minimum of 17 miles of bike lanes per year? Are there specific areas of the city where you would prioritize implementation?

   I am a bike rider, so I know all too well the importance of these lanes. I believe that we need these lanes on North Ave and Pennsylvania Ave as many of the residents in our community depend on bicycles and public transportation to get around. I certainly agree with the plan and recommendation, and I would fight hard by joining in writing bills that support bicycle lanes to make sure that these recommendations are carried out in not only my neighborhood, but in other neighborhoods too.

4. Approximately 50 people are killed on city streets each year while walking, biking, or driving, with another 9,000 people injured. What is your plan to reduce the number of Baltimoreans injured and killed in traffic every year?

   A significant number of people are involved in accidents because of being impaired while driving or texting. I have even witnessed police officers testing while driving and have seen others impaired by drugs. Moreover, there are people who are driving uninsured vehicles and others are simply unlicensed drivers who are unaware of the laws of the road. I would support a awareness program for our school age Baltimoreans that warned of the dangers of driving. Secondly, law enforcement could be more proactive in engaging those who are unlawfully operating vehicles. I would encourage the police department to set up more check points in areas known where people drive illegally or impaired so that we can avoid unnecessary fatalities.

5. Approximately 800 Baltimoreans die early every year from preventable diseases related to carbon emissions, more than double the city’s murder rate. Thousands more are hospitalized each year as these emissions trigger asthma and other respiratory diseases. There is a strong correlation between hospitalization and proximity to major car commuter routes. What is your plan to reduce carbon emissions from automobiles in order to decrease the number of Baltimoreans hurt by and dying from emissions-related diseases?

   Some of the cars that are on the Baltimore roadways are there illegally as the black market that sale fake emissions and inspection stickers have grown significantly. This coupled with too many cars on the roadway have advanced air pollution and lead to poor air quality The pollution is further complicated by the Wheelabrator. The pollution that come from this huge trash incinerator pollutes the air in South Baltimore at an alarming rate. I would support legislation that helps Baltimore become less dependent on these incinerators and also I would encourage a campaign that informs the public of the dangerous effects of the pollution that we are putting into the air. I would also ask that more inspections be conducted through out the city to ensure compliance by businesses that violate our laws.

6. Do you walk for transportation? If so, for what purposes, how often, and what was your last trip walking?

   I do walk to work as I live in Sandtown, work in Sandtown, and also work at Frederick Douglass High School. I walked today to the market.

7. Do you use public transportation? If so, for what purposes, how often, and what was your last trip by public transportation?

   I use public transportation when I need to travel to city hall and other places were parking is limited. I use it about two times a month and I used it last week.

8. Do you ever ride a bicycle? Is it for transportation, recreation, or both? What was your last trip by bicycle?

   I do ride my bicycle for transportation and recreation. Because of the weather, I have not had a bike trip since November.

9. Baltimore’s urban areas have limited space on streets. In order to increase safety and improve mobility, some modes of transportation must be prioritized over others to make the most of this limited space. Please rank how you would prioritize different modes of transportation on city streets, using numbers 1 through 7:

   1. Bicycles and Scooters
   2. Public Transportation
   3. Walking & devices that aid people with a disability
   4. Personal Automobiles
   5. Ride Hailing Services (Taxi, Uber, Lyft)
   6. Freight and Delivery
   7. Parking

   
   Agree or disagree?
   
   

10. I support removing parking on a street if it would improve safety and increase mobility of people using that street.

    Agree
    Safety ought to be a major priority in our communities, and if parking is hindering safety on the streets, we should be able to find alternatives.

11. Minimum parking requirements are shown to increase housing costs while limiting potential density and making neighborhoods less walkable. I support following the lead of other cities that have removed minimum parking requirements from new development.

    Agree
    I believe that minimum parking requirements harm the environment and encourage inequity as new developments come with these minimum requirements causing costs to go too high for the community to afford. Food prices rise as do everything connected to minimum parking.

12. Some cities require employers that subsidize parking also offer an option for employees to receive that subsidy as a cash payment. I support a mandate that employers offer parking cashout so that employees can choose to pocket that money, use it for alternative transportation, or continue using that cash to pay for parking.

    Agree
    I contend that the more incentives you offer people, the more opt that they may choose to make healthier life choices. Waking when possible is a wonderful break and it leaves people more healthier.

13. Increasing density in areas of opportunity is proven to help individuals escape poverty. I support taller, denser, or larger buildings in areas they are now prohibited by zoning.

    Agree
    The housing issues in Baltimore city is such that mixed dwelling units are needed to house those who have no place to go.

14. Transit oriented development can expand access to areas of opportunity by locating housing and retail along high frequency transit. Current zoning code only identifies these zones along subway and light rail routes. I support expanded Transit Oriented Development zoning to include areas within a quarter mile of high-frequency bus routes.

    Agree

15. It is now widely accepted that Single Family Residential Zoning was historically created to maintain racial segregation. I support removing Single Family Residential Zoning categories, allowing both single family and multi family residences to be built in all residential zoning areas.

    Agree
    I believe that both can coexist and be beneficial to our community. Therefore we should encourage and allow both to exist.

16. I support allowing existing residences to be split into apartments in all zoning categories without having to pass legislation for each conversion, increasing density in neighborhoods that were traditionally single family homes.

    Disagree
    I believe that there are many factors to consider before allowing residences to just split without a proper forum. These are conversations that the community should engage and not just individual landowners.

17. At 20mph, 90% of pedestrians survive being hit by a car. At 40mph, only 10% survive. I support enforcing a maximum speed limit of 25 mph on arterial streets, and 20 mph on local streets.

    Agree

18. Allowing turns on red is a contributing factor in increased pedestrian injury and death. I support banning turns on red at all intersections that allow pedestrian crossing.

    Agree

19. Automated Speed and Red Light Enforcement Cameras are widely proven to reduce fatal collisions. I support using these cameras on any street, not just near schools and construction sites.

    Agree
    I believe that there are many factors to consider before placing red lights and speed lights throughout the city. Notwithstanding, most police officers are solving major crime in the city, and so what is needed are the parents to keep on sharing input.

20. The Automated Speed Enforcement Camera current threshold is 12 miles per hour. I support cameras being able to issue citations for those traveling 5 miles per hour or more over the speed limit.

    Disagree

21. I would invest in automated enforcement cameras that will issue citations to private automobiles for being stopped or parked in bus lanes.

    Disagree

22. Dedicated bus lanes and bus boarding islands are proven to dramatically improve bus reliability and boarding times. I support removing parking or travel lanes to create bus lanes and boarding islands to improve bus performance.

    Agree

23. The city adopted the Greenway Trails Network plan that will connect existing trails such as Gwynns Falls Trail and Herring Run Trail to create a 35-mile trail loop that connects 80% of Baltimore’s neighborhoods to greenspace and recreational trails. I support the construction of these trail connections, even if it requires using grass medians or taking road space or parking space away from private automobiles.

    No answer

District-Specific Questions: 7th District

1. The Gwynns Falls Parkway was designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm, and the original plans called for a median running recreational trail to connect Gwynns Falls Park and Leakin Park to Druid Hill Park. The Baltimore Greenway Trails Network Plan calls for bringing this vision to reality by constructing a recreational trail on the Gwynns Falls Parkway corridor as part of a larger 35-mile trail loop. I support designing and constructing this portion of the Greenway Trails Network Plan on Gwynns Falls Parkway.

   Agree
   I support this issue as it will help make our community more healthier and provide much needed jobs.

2. The Big Jump is a temporary walking and biking path along Druid Park Lake Drive, connecting Auchentoroly, Reservoir Hill, and Remington for the first time for people who lack access to a car. The Access Project for Druid Hill (TAP Druid Hill), builds upon The Big Jump by calling for a corridor analysis and redesign of Druid Park Drive, Reisterstown Road, Auchentoroly Terrace, and Druid Park Lake Drive. I support efforts to maintain a safe, all-ages walking and biking path along Druid Park Lake Drive as well as expanding neighborhood access to Druid Hill Park through a corridor analysis and redesign of the above streets, even if it means slowing down cars, taking away travel lanes, or removing significant portions of roadway altogether.

   Agree