I was born and raised in Lakeside and graduated from El Capitan High School in 2003. My connection to this community is rooted in a lifetime of involvement in our local community including service as Miss Lakeside 2005, along with participation in 4-H, FFA, Grange, Blossom Valley Riders, Frontier Riders, Barona Speedway, and the Tumbleweed Riding Club. My family's history here and community involvement has shaped my commitment to preserving the rural character, open spaces, and diverse interests and traditions that make Lakeside unique.
I earned my BA in Communication with a minor in Political Science and my MA from San Diego State University before completing my PhD in Communicaton at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. My academic and professional work focuses on communication, community health and planning. As a college professor, I bring research, critical analysis, and communication skills to my service on the Lakeside Community Planning Group (LCPG).
My experience extends beyond academia. Growing up in a small family-owned commercial construction business taught me about reading plans, construction costs, permitting, and the realities of operating a small business. Before entering full-time teaching, I also worked in residential construction, where I gained firsthand insight into the challenges private property owners can face navigating County requirements, regulatory processes, and project delays.
This combination of academic and practical experience informs how I approach land-use proposals. I critically evaluate presentations, identify unanswered questions, and advocate for transparency and accountability. I believe homeowners and small businesses deserve clear, accessible, and consistent processes, and that public decisions should be grounded in evidence and community needs.
Since returning to Lakeside in 2019, I have served on the LCPG, including as its trails representative. My work focuses on preserving our rural heritage, strengthening community input, and pursuing practical improvements that benefit residents.
Trail preservation and safety
I have worked with local law enforcement and independent trail groups to improve safety at congested access points for pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists. I have also worked to get County trail signage installed and updated to clarify trail routes and prohibited activities, helping trail users better understand where they can go and how to use the system responsibly.
Meaningful community input
I believe residents should have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. I have helped circulate community surveys, elevate resident feedback, and make recommendations that reflect the priorities community members have expressed.
Fiscal accountability
I believe public spending should be transparent and adequately documented. I have questioned spending proposals that lacked sufficient line-item detail and sought greater clarity about proposed expenditures so decisions can be made with a better understanding of how public funds will be used.
Collaboration across community groups
Countywide initiatives can affect Lakeside in ways that extend beyond an individual planning proposal. I have made an effort to connect with other interest groups and strengthen communication so our community can better understand broader initiatives and their potential local impacts.
Exploring funding opportunities
I have sought alternative funding opportunities for improvements to older playgrounds and important trail connections. I believe we should explore practical ways to maintain and improve community assets while remaining mindful of public resources and competing priorities.
Preserving Lakeside's rural character
Agriculture, ranches, equestrian traditions, trails, and open spaces are essential parts of our community's identity. Through my family's ranch and my involvement in local agriculture, I understand how important it is to preserve these traditions and the land that sustains them for future generations.
Protecting property rights through fair processes
My construction background has shown me how complicated permitting requirements can affect homeowners and small businesses. I support transparent, accessible, and consistent County processes that treat property owners fairly while respecting applicable regulations and considering the impacts of proposed projects on surrounding communities.
Transparency and accountability
Residents deserve clear explanations, adequate project information, responsible use of public funds, and opportunities to understand proposals that affect their community. I believe asking informed questions and identifying gaps in project presentations are essential parts of responsible community representation.
Meaningful community participation
Community input should be heard, considered, and reflected in recommendations. I believe strong planning requires listening to residents while carefully evaluating the facts, applicable standards, and potential impacts. My goal is to help ensure that community perspectives are meaningfully represented in the advisory process.
The LCPG plays an advisory role in County planning decisions. I see that role as an opportunity to ask informed questions, examine proposals carefully, and provide recommendations that reflect both applicable requirements and the interests of our community.
I believe Lakeside's future should be shaped by thoughtful consideration of local needs, rural character, property rights, and quality of life—not simply by development pressures or available funding.
I remain committed to preserving what makes Lakeside special while helping our community navigate change thoughtfully, transparently, and with meaningful resident participation.