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Candidates pledge outreach and consensus building; Sandy Aldrich highlights Vision Zero safety goals
Summary
Sandy Aldrich and Tisha Montigu both pledged to expand resident outreach and build council consensus if elected. Aldrich recommended targeted communications (postcards, Zoom forums) to reach renters and new residents; Montigu proposed regular community meetings, office hours and evening/weekend events. Aldrich also described Vision Zero as a safety initiative to reduce road deaths.
Candidates in the Ward 2 forum emphasized improving engagement and consensus‑building on land‑use and other council decisions.
When asked how to broaden participation beyond homeowners and organized neighborhood groups, Aldrich said many residents are busy and recommended targeted outreach tools such as postcards, recorded virtual forums and social media to reach renters and newer residents. "If we can get that into the hands of all residents...set up a Zoom call, anybody can dial in," she said.
Tisha Montigu said she would use multiple methods to keep residents informed — including neighborhood office hours, regular community meetings, newsletters, and virtual town halls — and proposed holding meetings on evenings or weekends to ensure working families can participate. "Communication and accessibility are at the heart of why I am running," Montigu said.
On finding paths forward with council colleagues, both candidates emphasized listening, finding common ground and focusing on solutions rather than politics. Aldrich said consensus comes from respectful, data‑driven discussion; Montigu highlighted collaboration as essential to progress.
When asked which council decision residents should know more about, Aldrich highlighted Vision Zero — the city's road‑safety initiative — explaining steps to slow traffic and protect motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists amid heavy commuter traffic. "The reality is the roads are configured to slow traffic down so we're safer within our city limits," she said.
The forum concluded with candidates urging voters to participate in local processes and to vote in the Aug. 4 primary.
