Priorities

Enhancing Green Spaces and Building Better Connectivity

West Chester has been developing at a rapid pace. Over 96% of our residential designated property and 84% of our commercial designated property is already built out. With so little developable land remaining, it's more important than ever to think carefully and creatively about how we use what’s left.

Instead of approving more cookie-cutter developments, we should consider options that serve the entire community. What if we preserved that land as open space? What if we created a new park with walking trails? Or built a vibrant community center that brings people together?

Whatever we decide, that land should be used to give something back to the community—especially after years of growth with little investment in quality-of-life improvements for existing residents.

In a December 24, 2024 post on the official West Chester Government Facebook page, residents were asked what their "wish" was for the township. Out of 87 comments, zero asked for more residential developments. Roughly two-thirds specifically asked for more green spaces and better connectivity. Why isn’t our local government listening?

Our parks should be a source of pride and joy. Take Keehner Park, for example—a beautiful 123-acre space with playgrounds, trails, picnic shelters, an amphitheater, and a creek to explore. But residents know it needs attention: the playground is outdated, trail signage is missing, parking is limited, and the trail entrance becomes dangerously muddy after rain. We need to maintain and improve what we already have, so families can enjoy West Chester’s natural beauty for generations to come.

Pedestrian safety and connectivity are also uneven across the township. While areas like Beckett Ridge have sidewalks and bike-friendly paths, others—like Pisgah—have very few. That’s a serious issue. We must partner with the Butler County Engineer’s Office to prioritize sidewalks and bike lanes in future road projects. These improvements require creativity, planning, and teamwork—but they won’t happen unless our leaders make them a priority.

As Your Trustee, I Will:

Work for West Chester residents and businesses—not developers.
Collaborate with the Butler County Engineer’s Office to add sidewalks and bike lanes where they’re needed most.
Prioritize updating our existing parks and advocating for more green space that strengthens community and improves quality of life.

West Chester is growing—but growth should benefit everyone. Let’s build a community that listens, connects, and thrives.

Stronger Partnership with Lakota Public Schools

Lakota Local Schools is the 8th largest district in Ohio, serving more than 17,000 students. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a reflection of how deeply our children shape the identity of West Chester. With such a large and vital student population, we have a sacred duty to ensure they are safe, supported, and receiving the highest quality education.

These responsibilities shouldn’t fall solely on the Lakota School Board or Superintendent. West Chester’s government must also step up as an active, engaged partner.

Our schools are at or over capacity, and it’s only getting worse. Cherokee Elementary is currently using portable modular classrooms because there simply isn’t enough space inside the building. Shawnee Early Childhood School has added three new classrooms in just three years, each holding over 20 students.

Yes, managing enrollment is the responsibility of the school district—but West Chester’s government must acknowledge these pressures. We cannot continue approving rapid development without considering the impact it has on our schools. If we want our students to thrive, we must strategically manage growth and offer support where it’s needed most.

West Chester deserves a government that works with its schools—not apart from them.

These challenges can’t be solved by one group alone. Only through good communication, creative collaboration, and shared goals can we protect and uplift our students now—and for future generations.

As Your Trustee, I Will:

Prioritize student safety and education at every level of local planning.
Strategically guide West Chester’s growth so it doesn't burden our schools.
Collaborate directly with the Lakota School Board and Superintendent to strengthen our community’s educational future.

Smart Infrastructure Solutions

As West Chester’s population has grown, our roadways haven’t kept up. Instead of planning ahead for increased traffic, our township has been reactive—not proactive. Now, we're left with congested intersections, crumbling streets, and a community that’s frustrated and falling behind.

Some intersections have become so problematic that residents are choosing to drive extra miles just to avoid them. That’s not efficient, and it’s not fair. While surveys and studies are finally being conducted, they should have started years ago, when the signs of population growth were already clear.

But traffic isn’t our only problem—the roads themselves are deteriorating. Many streets are cracked, patched, and worn from age and overuse. This impacts not only daily commutes but also safety, business operations, and overall quality of life.

It’s time to listen to the residents—the people who drive these roads every single day. They know which intersections are a nightmare, which potholes damage their cars, and which routes no longer serve our community well.

To solve these issues, we must also work closely with the Butler County Engineers Office, which owns and maintains many of our roads. Through strong collaboration, urgent repairs can be made, and long-term solutions can be developed.

As Trustee, I will:

Put residents first by prioritizing safer, smoother daily commutes.
Collaborate with community members and engineers to identify and fix West Chester’s most problematic intersections and roadways.