Issues & Priorities

I know that the decisions of local government have immediate impacts on our everyday lives. Balancing the numerous priorities of a community is not easy, but I am committed to approaching each issue thoughtfully and thoroughly, engaging with residents, and making decisions with the good for all of Williamsburg in mind.

Public safety, health & infrastructure

The ability to get around safely – whether by foot, bike, car, or bus – is imperative to a community’s well-being.

That is why I have worked with neighbors and my City colleagues to:

Improve pedestrian sidewalk and crosswalk access
Support investment in bus stop improvements, such as canopies and benches
Ensure greater connectivity of bike lanes and walking paths

If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for road infrastructure and design that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of all Williamsburg residents.

Economic vitality & diversification

Stacy cutting the ribbon at Ray Ray's Plants in Williamsburg

A thriving small business community is essential to the economic success of our City.

I believe in supporting entrepreneurs across all business sectors so that they have the tools to plant roots in Williamsburg. I am committed to understanding what business owners need from local government to help them succeed, and working together to the benefit of business owners, employees, and consumers.

We need to keep working to ensure our local economy is durable. Tourism rooted in Colonial Williamsburg remains a cornerstone of our economy, but we must ensure that we do not rely on Colonial Williamsburg tourism alone. In 2026, we opened the Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center, the product of a regional partnership with James City County and York County through the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority. Only recently opened, the GWSEC is already booked for nearly every weekend of 2027 and has bookings as far out as 2030.

I believe that identifying and evaluating opportunities to complement our existing economic strengths is important, and making smart investments to protect the future of Williamsburg.

Strong public schools

.A strong school system is vital not just to the children and families in a community, but to everyone.

I worked hard to maintain the WJCC school system, as I believe we are stronger together.

In the modernized joint contract, we invest more in teachers and make important improvements that prioritize student success, such as bringing the school system into the contract of accountability and ensuring better reporting and transparency of student performance outcomes.

Stacy reading to WJCC students

Neighborhood character & home ownership

Williamsburg is not alone when it comes to a shortage of housing and growing housing prices.

As a small town where many people want to live through many phases of life, we have particular housing and neighborhood challenges.

Although there are many competing prerogatives in a complex economic market, one of my priorities is facilitating first-time home ownership in the City.

With creative approaches and partnering with local banks, we can invest in the future of Williamsburg by helping individuals and families who want to invest in home ownership in the City.

Community engagement & dialogue

.I believe that encouraging and faciitating engagement with everyone in the community results in a stronger social fabric and deeper community investment in shared issues.

Since joining Council in 2023, I have had innumerable meetings and exchanges with City residents.

We may not always agree, but I do not lose sight of the fact that governance is a shared dialogue between many community voices.

I support public input processes that ensure that strategic planning for the future of Williamsburg is shaped by all of us, not a few of us.

Keep local decisions local

Stacy and Vice Mayor Pat Dent visiting Del. Jessica Anderson in Richmond

During my first term on Council, I traveled to Richmond to advocate for Williamsburg’s interests and continuing to do so will remain a priority for me.

Many factors make Williamsburg unique. We are a multi-dimensional community of many students, retirees, descendants, tourists, families, and more. We have two institutions – Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary – that are anchors in town. We have all of this in 9 square miles!

This level of complexity within a small, landlocked space means that our approach to issues, our needs, and our challenges won’t often look the same as those in towns of our population size.

Thus, when State level policymakers are developing policy, particularly with respect to zoning and land use, I know we need to make sure we do not lose local control over local issues.