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.

   Everyone in Baltimore City does not have a car (by choice or financial circumstances). A good public transportation system can be the difference between employment and unemployment. My vision for a more healthy, safe and equitable Baltimore is one where everyone, but especially poor marginalized communities, has access to the kind of transportation they need to survive and enjoy life. People who chose to drive, should be able to drive. Those who chose to walk, should have nearby conveniences to walk to. And the same thought and consideration should be given to those who chose to bike, as those who drive cars.

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?

   Society puts greater importance on motorists and if we want to change that attitude, education at all levels must occur and not just at community meetings. Transportation advocates need to work together with the City to better highlight initiatives that will improve walkability and transit options. These questionnaires should also be given regularly to community associations, schools and other groups to provoke thought, start real discussions and increase awareness and understanding.

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?

   The recommendations offered seem reasonable. However, I must stress that a public education campaign is needed to ensure that all people are aware of the option. The biking network planned for Baltimore City will offer an alternate, inexpensive and safe mode of transportation that can open many doors of opportunity. And there are many people who do not currently have cars and don't currently use bikes because they aren't aware of the practicality of biking. As with any budget expense, we have to start discussions with the various agencies early to put bike lane infrastructure in the capital budget allocation.

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?

   I think it’s safe to assume, driver education and traffic modifications will have to play a part in reducing injuries and death. However, I need to understand what's contributing to those tragedies and work with the Dept. of Transportation and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan.

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?

   For any comprehensive approach to work, all stakeholders have to be at the table to develop the plan. Carbon emissions can be reduced by reusing items and increasing recycling also. I have partnered with City Schools, the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Public Works to start with the youth and together we are reviving the recycle and reuse campaign to raise awareness, change attitudes and habits with students in the 12th District.

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

   Not often.

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

   I may use public transportation when going to DC on business which isn't often because I like the convenience of having my car.

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

   No.

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

   
   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

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
    Again, there is a huge public information campaign that needs to occur. In order to be successful, we must recognize the fact that habits and perceptions need to change.

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

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
    I agree, only with community input, education and following best practices.

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.
    Transit oriented development is good for communities and the economy.

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
    The City must develop a more equitable approaches to single and multi family zoning, as well as addressing bad property owners. I am cautious about making broad zoning changes without considering all possible outcomes.

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.

    Agree.
    see #15. This can be done in the code with detailed space requirements for dwelling units in line with building safety codes.

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.

    Disagree
    

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.
    Especially, in high foot traffic areas and schools.

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
    As long as the cameras are effective in changing driver behavior for the better, I support.

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
    I want to understand better why the 12 mile per hour threshold exists.

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

    Agree

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.

    Disagree

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.

    Agree

District Specific Questions: 12th District

1. 28th and 29th Street are treated as highways by people driving along them through neighborhoods. Neighbors have developed the 28th and 29th Streets Traffic Calming initiative to call for installation of temporary traffic calming devices and study on how to implement permanent traffic calming that includes exploration of travel lane reduction or two-way conversion on both streets. I support installation of temporary traffic calming devices, even if they remove some parking, and support the study on how to implement permanent traffic calming.

   Agree
   It is important that all voices in the community are heard and taken into consideration. It's best when any changes result from collaboration.

2. Big Jump Baltimore, a grant won by Baltimore City Department of Transportation, calls for installation of a road diet and separated, all-ages bike lanes on 25th Street and Huntingdon Avenue to improve safe access to businesses along the corridor. I support installing the remainder of the Big Jump Baltimore grant facilities.

   Agree
   I support this initiative and I want to see more community education and engagement. Not enough people outside of the biking community are aware of the grant and the possible benefits.

3. Dedicated bus lanes are proven to increase service reliability and speed. MTA Maryland’s BaltimoreLink Red bus route is one of the busiest in the city. I support dedicated bus lanes on Greenmount Avenue, even if it means removing some parking.

   Agree
   There must always be conversation and collaboration between those who will be directly impacted by any changes.