Illegal Use of Property - My top priority will be fighting to reverse a trend that began over twenty years ago allowing illegal use of property, both residential and commercial, resulting in stagnating property values and assailing our quality of life. This trend has resulted in overcrowding and property misuse leading to unsafe living conditions, parking problems, blight, unsafe streets, accelerated deterioration of our streets, other infrastructure concerns and greater demands on our schools.

I moved to the Cove in 1988. Since then, District 4 has been artificially transformed by political agendas focused on economic development in the South End and Downtown rather than by legal planning, zoning and zoning appeals. Very little attention was given to provide enough affordable housing. So where did displaced residents and new residents looking for affordable housing go? They went to surrounding neighborhoods. They crowded into homes zoned as one, two family and multi-family breaking zoning and health codes. City leadership turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to law abiding property owners’ concerns.

City employees in our zoning enforcement and health departments are excellent. What is lacking is proactive leadership to protect our neighborhoods and provide appropriate affordable housing.

Reform of zoning enforcement locally and at the state level is needed now to protect individual property owner rights and the integrity of our neighborhoods.

If elected, I will work relentlessly to support reforms in city government to improve quality of life in District 4 and throughout every neighborhood.

* Face-to-Face is always the best means of communication - PTO, Cove Neighborhood Association meetings, random door-to-door visits, town halls and other community forums constituents might recommend.
* Online - email, Nextdoor and other recommended social media.
* Mailings - periodic to ensure all residents are updated on important District issues.
Additionally, I would make myself available for interviews and write articles in our local paper, The Advocate, as I have in the past.
* Letter to the Editor - No Solutions for the Cove
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/opinion/article/Letter-No-solutions-for-the-Cove-12294064.php
* Stamford Officials Sue Cove Lot Owner
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Stamford-officials-sue-Cove-lot-owner-in-12264854.php
* Parking Woes
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/opinion/article/Deborah-Billington-op-ed-Parking-woes-in-our-12274066.php
* Stamford Residents Zoning Enforcement...
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Stamford-residents-say-zoning-enforcement-is-a-11272752.php
* A Call to Arms
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/A-call-to-arms-Stamford-residents-work-to-12243151.php

Neighborhood Advocacy (2016-17)
* Assumed leadership of a chronic,11 year, commercial zoning violation case in the Cove, City has recently filed a law suit. On-going.
* Representing neighbors, coordinating with city, building, zoning, health departments to resolve a residential zoning/health case. Now in Housing Court. On-going.
* Led project to accurately define the Cove on the Mayor’s City-wide Neighborhoods Map. Approved by Mayor Martin
* Two-years advocating to restore and improve our neighborhood through Cit y of Stamford Citizen Service Center reporting e.g. parking violations, blight, pothole repair, traffic signs. All completed successfully by various city departments.
* Advocated for 72-hour parking ordinance. 120-hour approved.
* Attended numerous city meetings and public hearings: Planning Board, Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Representatives(BOR), BOR Steering, Transportation, Land Use Committees and Parks and Recreation Commission.
* Cove Neighborhood Association meetings and beautification projects.
* Stamford Neighborhood Coalition, Steering Committee - working on common concerns across Neighborhoods