Survey and Interview Responses

Why are you running for this office?

I’m running for mayor because Garden City is ready for new leadership that’s transparent, strategic, and focused on results. My priorities are clear: keeping our community safe, protecting taxpayer dollars, cutting red tape with more transparency, planning guided growth that reflects our identity, and ensuring housing solutions that keep Garden City welcoming and thriving. I have the leadership experience, local and state relationships, and vision to move us forward — and I’m ready to deliver.

What are your qualifications?

I’ve spent over 25 years in leadership roles that included the responsibility of reviewing city comprehensive plans, community assessments, and supporting innovative community initiatives across a five-state region. I have experienced how communities can transform in prosperous ways with the right leadership in place.

If elected, what are your goals?

My campaign is about keeping Garden City safe, fiscally responsible, transparent, collaborative, growing smart, and ensuring housing solutions that keep our community thriving.

What experience do you have serving on boards, commissions, non-profits, etc. where you have been of service to others?

For nearly three decades I have served on many boards for non-profit organizations. My work has focused on advancing education, strengthening community partnerships, and creating lasting initiatives across the Treasure Valley, state of Idaho, and five state region. I have also served and been re-elected in public office, where I chaired the board of trustees for our local community college and largest institution of higher education during a time of incredible growth.

Do you consider yourself fiscally conservative?

Yes, fiscal responsibility is very important in a publicly elected role.

Do you consider yourself socially conservative?

I value traditional principles but also believe in respecting individual freedoms and finding common ground on important social issues.

What are the primary challenges and priorities for this office?

Guided growth is essential, ensuring our comprehensive plan is truly comprehensive and that zoning aligns with it. Second, fiscal responsibility is paramount. As chair of CWI’s board, I demonstrated this commitment by securing private-public partnerships to offset the costs to taxpayers. Third, I am dedicated to improving community access to information. Our current lean budget and city priorities have unintentionally led to an outdated website, making it difficult for residents to get information. Updating this website will enhance transparency and accountability by providing residents and businesses with easy online access to needed information. Finally, transportation and its infrastructure are critical. We need to foster stronger relationships with ACHD, Ada County, and ITD to avoid duplication of effort and wasted time, as our decisions collectively impact taxpayers.

We noticed that Tommy Ahlquist is the treasurer of your campaign. This indicates a relational connection. As the developer of CWI Boise River District, and a developer in general, along with your involvement on the CWI board, how can voters be assured that Tommy’s development interests and ties to CWI won’t impact your planning decisions for Garden City’s future development?

My long-standing professional relationship with Tommy, built through our shared service on various boards, makes him an ideal treasurer. I value direct communication in professional relationships, and Tommy and I share that ability. I respect his experience as a successful businessman, and he understands my processes and perspective, which made his appointment an easy decision.
My extensive community relations work with Wells Fargo has fostered strong connections with nearly all the developers, builders, and commercial and residential real estate professionals in the area. While I understand potential concerns with these entities, my track record consistently demonstrates my commitment to prioritizing taxpayer interests and the well-being of the community I serve.

Melinda: What is your stance on bringing issues of social justice into the sphere of city government?

They don’t belong at the city level. We’ve got to run the city as a business and for the amount of work that needs to happen here in Garden City, we need to avoid anything that is going to distract or be divisive to this work.

Do you think that Garden City’s Comprehensive Plan needs to be revised? If so, what are some changes to the plan that would you seek, in terms of goals and objectives?

To move forward, we must first establish a clear visioning process that will inform steps to creating an updated, comprehensive plan. This plan needs to accurately reflect our community’s needs and address residents’ concerns. Currently, many residents are worried about recent rezoning decisions. We need to ensure a transparent process that provides residents with all necessary information so they fully understand these changes before and during the process of change.

Due to busy lives, residents often lack the time or inclination to follow zoning discussions closely, and as a result, they may remain unaware of changes until directly affected. While there will always be some opposition to growth, it currently feels like growth is happening to us, rather than through us. I believe it’s crucial to shift this dynamic by prioritizing transparency and citizen involvement. This can be achieved by making every effort to communicate through our website, social media, and various neighborhood-based educational forums.

In light of the reported high crime rate, how do you plan to address crime and public safety issues?

I am a staunch advocate for law enforcement, and it’s imperative our department receives ample funding and resources, coupled with unwavering support from city leadership. I recognize that ongoing development, particularly on the east end, is intrinsically helping to curb historical crime rates in that area. Additionally, creative solutions such as developing pocket parks, some funded through public-private partnerships, naturally deters crime by creating safe zones and enforcing restrictions on violent sexual offenders near schools and parks. If we can unite in identifying the core problems, work alongside law enforcement, and bring together leaders to actively seek solutions, we can generate innovative approaches to reduce crime.

In your view, what are the top two to three essential qualities of an effective leader?

Listening is essential, as it informs decisions and simplifies the decision-making process. Equally important is the ability to have hard conversations. Someone once told me, “Molly you can tell someone “no” and still make a new best friend.” Finally, a leader must be committed to doing what’s right. Leadership is lonely. It’s not about a title, it’s about getting the work done, and building other leaders in the process. This means not leading with ego, but with purpose and passion – understanding the “why” behind your work, and the responsibility to those you serve first and foremost.