Maureen’s Approach

Arlington is a world-class place to live, with a tradition of smart growth, a commitment to the environment, and a deep sense of community. It’s why I’ve made it my home, and it’s why I feel called to serve on the County Board. Arlington needs policymakers with a vision for the future that highlights our core values, and a planning process that recognizes how each aspect of our lives are interconnected with policy decisions. Maureen will fight for progressive policies that unify our community, address inequality, bias, and discrimination, and ensure that no matter what stage of life you’re in, you can find a place here in Arlington County.

Good policy isn’t easy. Data and research are important to understand our challenges and opportunities. When we’re faced with tradeoffs, its our values that help us decide. That’s why both are important parts of what Maureen will bring to the County Board.

Evidence-Based Policy

  • As a quantitative analyst, Maureen knows that our decisions are only as good as the information we base them on. Collecting data that shows the whole picture – including being honest about the tradeoffs we face – is a key part of how we will develop a long-term vision for Arlington.
  • We need to develop holistic plans that meet our needs today and provide for the future, based on a careful examination and understanding of the investments necessary to maintain and expand what we love about Arlington.

Values-Based Leadership

  • As a researcher, Maureen believes in the mantra “not about us, without us.” Racial, economic, and social justice issues are at the core of the work that she does. We must engage with the people who will be impacted by our decisions throughout the process – and be aware of who is not participating in the conversation and why.
  • Maureen loves being part of a tight-knit community. We can maintain this through environmentally friendly, smart growth and planning that encourages our friends and neighbors to build relationships and invest in creating the places and spaces that we all enjoy.

On the issues

Housing
  • Everyone deserves safe, reliable housing. As Arlington’s population continues to grow, we need to ensure that housing is accessible for all by supporting both new affordable housing units and preserving existing affordable housing.
  • More than 60 percent of Arlingtonians are renters. We need to ensure that renting remains affordable, accessible, and understandable. We need to improve resources for renters to understand their rights and expand county options to investigate and address urgent housing problems.
  • Arlingtonians need a long-term vision that lays out how we will work to solve the housing crisis. We need a plan that helps people whether you are looking for a first home or seeking to remain in our community after many years.
  • People with disabilities should be able to live with dignity. We need to increase accessibility in our housing and commit to universal design principles in new buildings and renovations.
Transportation
  • Getting to and from work is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. We need to invest in transportation infrastructure to make it safe, reliable, and accessible for all.
  • Our community integrates many forms of transportation – walking, biking, driving, and taking the bus or trains. Whichever is right for you, you should be safe. Arlington needs to fully commit to the principles of Vision Zero, keeping our safety at the center of decisions.
  • People need public transit that fits easily into their lives. We have a system of East-West transit corridors but need to improve connections for North-South transportation.
Mental Health
  • The past several years have been incredibly difficult as people faced and are still facing social isolation and anxiety related to the pandemic, a disturbing rise of hate and violence nationwide, and find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. All of this has contributed to a national mental health crisis and revealed a need for more mental health resources, public and private, here in Arlington.
  • People in crisis should not be turned away or forced to wait for treatment. We need to invest in our urgent treatment options, including treatment for substance abuse disorder, inpatient and outpatient care, and school and community counseling resources.
  • We can invest in community programs that help prevent people from reaching a crisis by providing resources to help meet their needs and provide a strong foundation.
Education
  • Our schools are one of our greatest assets. The County should continue to support Arlington Public Schools as they support our children and families and work toward holistic, equitable education. 
  • Children should not start school already behind their peers. Learning starts at birth, not at kindergarten. Access to high-quality child care should be an option for all parents, regardless of race or income.
  • As jobs change, so do the skills we need for a career. Career readiness doesn’t have to be a four-year degree; Arlingtonians should have the opportunity to pursue career programs that help us meet the needs of local businesses.
Economic Development
  • We have transformed the ways we work over the last few years. This is an opportunity to invest in new and existing small businesses that are and will be part of our communities for many years to come.
  • We need to support those who are essential to our day-to-day lives, from people who build our buildings and roads to those who are in the service industry. Everyone deserves a living wage and a voice in their workplace.
  • We can include more types of businesses in our community by continuing to modernize our commercial zoning requirements. We may not have envisioned distribution centers for e-commerce and urban agriculture in our office space, but we should welcome new uses that support our local economy.
Environment
  • Arlington is a leader in building a sustainable future and we need to continue creating a community that protects our environment and resources. This includes making sustainable choices, such as walking, biking, and public transit, available to everyone in Arlington.
  • Our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 is an important challenge for us to meet. Investing in renewable energy sources, working with the public utility companies, and enforcing high standards for new construction projects are critical parts of preparing for our future.
  • Everyone benefits from having green space. Protecting and expanding our green spaces, including parks, open space, and our tree canopy, is a critical part of smart growth.