I am all for big ideas. But a resident should not have to hear about a future project while standing next to a broken fountain, an overgrown sidewalk, or a park restroom that is locked when families need it.
My goal in office is for McDonough to master the basics. That means city services should be dependable in every neighborhood. Grass should be cut. A repair should be logged, assigned, and checked. A resident should know where to report a problem and hear back with an honest answer.
Good service is a routine
Excellence is not one cleanup day and a nice picture. It is the next Tuesday, and the Tuesday after that. At a park, that can mean a short daily walk-through: check the restroom, water fountain, equipment, litter, and grounds. If something is broken, record it and follow the work until it is done.
That is not about making piles of paperwork for staff. It is about making the work visible so a small issue does not become a big one. Our employees need the tools, time, and clear standards to do it well.
What I can do as your Council member
I can raise a concern, ask for a plan, review the budget, and follow up. City managers and departments run the daily work. I will not pretend I personally cut the grass or repaired a swing. I can help make sure the question does not disappear after the first email.
If something in your neighborhood needs attention, send the location, a photo if you have one, and what you have seen. The City's report-a-concern tool is one direct path. We will keep asking what was done, what is next, and whether the fix lasts. That is what mastering the basics looks like to me.
Sources and next steps
These are my District 1 views and general information. City notices and records control when an official action or deadline changes.