Protecting the 21 lakes, canals, and waterways that make up our beautiful city of Maitland is one of my top priorities. There are several ways we can continue to ensure that our lakes are protected.

First, I believe that the City should make every effort to eliminate toxic substances, like nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, from our ecosystem. One thing that we can do to work toward this is limit exotic plants in our environment.

I feel strongly that this is one area where planning with the future in mind will be valuable. When the City of Maitland makes plans for new properties, or for improving existing properties, we should be intentional about the landscaping plans, always using native plants whenever possible. This will benefit the ecosystem both directly and indirectly, as we can minimize the need for toxic substances to maintain properties.

We also must be intentional and collaborative, ensuring clear and consistent communication between City officials and employees, advisory boards, and citizens. We need to clearly communicate and consistently enforce shoreline alteration policies and prioritize the education of the community about the simple steps each of us can take to ensure the health and longevity of our Maitland lakes.