Sam meeting with Neil Kennedy, Charbonneau’s Community Safety Coordinator to discuss their Emergency Response Plan
My Key Priorities as Your City Councilor
01
Financial Responsibility and Affordability
Sam recognizes that Wilsonville residents are navigating ongoing cost-of-living pressures driven by inflation and broader economic uncertainty. He’s committed to carefully scrutinizing City budgets, fee increases, and long-term financial commitments to ensure they are justified, phased appropriately, and clearly explained.
Sam supports responsible investment in infrastructure and services but believe those investments must be paired with accountability and a clear understanding of the impact on residents and businesses. He has already advocated for proactive planning to avoid sudden, steep increases and for exploring options that spread costs more fairly over time.
Infrastructure and System Reliability
02
(I-5 Boone Bridge)
Reliable infrastructure is foundational to a safe, functional, and resilient city. Sam supports investments in stormwater, sewer, transportation, and utility systems that address aging assets, increase capacity where needed, and reduce long-term risk.
At the same time, he has emphasized the importance of explaining not just what projects cost, but why they are necessary and what the risks are of delaying action. Sam supports collaborative efforts to improve safety and reliability with the upgrade of the I-5 Boone Bridge.
Working with ODOT and regional partners, the City aims to ease congestion, improve traffic flow, and ensure this critical connection remains dependable for residents, commuters, and local businesses—both today and into the future.
Town Center and Strategic Growth
03
Wilsonville’s Town Center plays a critical role in shaping the City’s identity and future economic vitality. Sam is focused on ensuring that Town Center planning and development reflect community values, support local businesses, and create a vibrant, welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. He supports growth that is intentional, well-planned, and aligned with existing infrastructure and services and that meets the needs of our city.
For Sam, smart growth means maintaining Wilsonville’s livability while preparing for the future in a way that is fiscally and environmentally responsible.
Emergency Preparedness and Community Resilience
04
Sam is a strong advocate for emergency preparedness and resilience planning. From natural disasters to infrastructure disruptions, he believes the City has a responsibility to be ready and to clearly communicate risks and preparedness strategies to the public. He supports investments in emergency response capabilities, coordination with regional partners, and especially community education efforts that empower residents to be prepared and informed. Building resilience today, Sam believes, helps protect lives, property, and public resources tomorrow. Sam has written about the work he has done already as City Councilor here.
Climate Change
05
Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing our world, our country, and our community. Doing nothing comes with real costs—environmental, economic, and public health costs—that will only grow over time. That’s why Sam supports our Climate Action Plan. It gives Wilsonville a practical, community-driven framework to manage risk and plan responsibly, without locking us into unnecessary spending. The plan emphasizes local control, fiscal responsibility, and smart decision-making. By acting now, we strengthen our resilience, support innovation, and make sure Wilsonville remains a healthy, livable community for today’s residents and for future generations. His hope is that our plan keeps us ahead of the climate changes likely to emerge in the coming years.
A Transparent and Accountable Approach
06
Transparency and accountability are central to Sam’s public service. He believes residents deserve clear explanations of how decisions are made, how public funds are used, and how success is measured. Sam supports efforts to improve City communication, streamline processes, and increase consistency and fairness in appointments, policies, and procedures. He also values open and respectful dialogue, even when opinions differ. Sam knows that constructive debate and diverse viewpoints strengthen decision-making and lead to better outcomes for the community.