Restoring Respect and Real Civic Engagement at City Hall

One of the core reasons I’m running for mayor is to strengthen civic engagement and help bring more people into the process of shaping our city. That means making Council meetings more accessible, consistent, and welcoming for all.

Over the last 12–15 years, I’ve attended hundreds of City Council meetings. I’ve seen passionate public comment, thoughtful debate, and respectful disagreement—even during heated discussions. For nearly a decade, true disruption in Council chambers was rare. People showed up, stated their case, and helped shape the decisions that affect our future. That’s civic engagement at its best.

But in the years since the pandemic, I’ve seen a shift—from engagement to performance. What I call civic theatrics has become more common. Some individuals or groups now use disruption, intimidation, and spectacle as a means to push their agendas. This isn’t limited to one cause; it’s shown up around housing debates, international protests, and recent discussions about the Hughes Stadium property.

Let me be clear: I believe in the right to protest. I believe in showing up and making your voice heard. But I also believe in decorum. When shouting replaces conversation and theatrics replace persuasion, we all lose. Just last night, more than 50 people walked out of a Council meeting in protest—many of whom were signed up to speak. Their message was lost in the chaos. News coverage isn’t focusing on their concerns about land use; it’s focused on a flag, a staff, and a confrontation.

Disruption doesn't change policy. It drowns out thoughtful voices and discourages others from participating at all.

It’s not just the public, either. I believe City leadership bears some responsibility. By limiting meeting frequency, reducing time for public comment, and holding fewer listening sessions, they’ve made civic participation harder—and frustration has grown. When people feel ignored, they often raise their voices. But we need to stop the cycle. We need to reopen the doors to meaningful dialogue.

As mayor, I’ll work to restore a culture of open, respectful civic participation—where anyone can speak, be heard, and trust that their voice matters. That starts by making City Council more accessible and making clear that intimidation and disrespect have no place in public discourse.

It’s time to move away from disruption and back toward conversation.