Ask Ry #1: Environmental Sustainability Edition
Welcome to my New Community Mailbag Series!
Hiya, welcome to the 1st edition of Ask Ry. 🌱
In this new series, I'll tackle your burning questions on topics that matter most to you and our community. From politics to responsible growth, from Camas to the cosmos—if you've got a question, I want to hear it.
Just email, comment below, DM me on social, or even wave me down on the street. I promise I'll wave back. 😹
For this Sustainability Edition, we're exploring how we can balance community growth with nature conservation, live more harmoniously with our environment, and work together for a cleaner, healthier Camas.
So grab coffee, and let's get into it!
Q1: Ry, I hear a lot about promises from politicians, but what makes you different? Have you actually worked in environmental protection or with organizations that focus on these issues?
Appreciate your skepticism, and it's a valid point. Environmental commitment must go beyond words.
My passion for the environment began during my time as a photojournalist in the Middle East—based in Cairo, Egypt—where I witnessed heartbreaking environmental degradation, like raw sewage contaminating water supplies.
But my commitment didn't stop at reporting. I later worked in development for the Horticultural Society of New York, where I was responsible for planning our fundraising program, writing grants, and producing donation drives.
The nonprofit's focus was on creating and expanding green spaces and gardens in urban areas, bringing nature closer to people who lacked access.
Now, I want to bring this combination of international perspective and hands-on environmental work to Camas.
From tackling our toxic lake to preserving our tree canopy, my mission is to lead by example and keep our city as beautiful and healthy as possible. It's not just a campaign promise—it's a commitment rooted in experience and genuine concern
Q2: As someone concerned about climate change, I'm interested to know your stance. What's your perspective, and how do you see Camas's role in clean energy?
Thank you for raising this critical issue. Living in Washington, we're fortunate to be part of a state that's leading in clean energy, utilizing wind, solar, and hydro power. This isn't just a trend—it's a responsible path towards a sustainable future.
But, we shouldn't be complacent. Camas has the potential to be a model city for others, not just in our state but across the nation. I envision our community embracing electric vehicles (including electrifying our city’s fleet), expanding charging infrastructure, and incentivizing solar installation.
There’s no denying that things are changing, and the stakes are high. If I'm privileged to serve on the council, I'll be committed to pushing Camas to not only adopt green initiatives but to lead in innovation and responsibility. Because we all share this space, and Camas has the opportunity to be a beacon of positive change.
Q3: Please stop our last remaining green spaces from being destroyed by rampant never-ending development! How are you going to make sure we don’t just pave up every last square inch?
I hear you, and I also value our green spaces. The picture you're painting is not one of responsible growth but of overdevelopment with minimal consideration for our natural environment. I want to make it clear that my vision for Camas is aligned with preserving our beautiful outdoors.
What I propose is not a halt to growth but rather a focus on smart, deliberate, and thoughtful development that strengthens the fabric of our community. We must empower our existing community of volunteers to collaborate directly with the city, putting protections and oversight in place to safeguard our tree canopy and biodiversity. This way, we can ensure growth doesn’t lead to indiscriminate deforestation.
Revitalizing Lacamas Lake and our other green spaces is a top priority for me. We need trails that connect, lakes that are free from pollution, and parks that are safe and welcoming. My background in sustainable urban development will help guide our holistic approach.
Let's also rethink our transportation infrastructure, looking beyond simply building more roads. We need solutions that bring us together, reflecting our values and our commitment to living more harmoniously with nature.
It's about striking a balance between community growth and natural space conservation. Together, we can create a Camas that thrives both economically and ecologically, with a future where everyone can enjoy our beautiful environment without feeling like we're exploiting it.
Hope you enjoyed the format. Keep the questions coming.
No matter what’s on your mind, I'm here to chat about it. And remember, you ping me any time - always up for a good conversation!
NOTE: If you didn’t see, Clark County Public Health issued an updated warning yesterday urging the public to AVOID THE WATER, to not swim or drink it, due to the levels of Cyanobacteria in Lacamas.
With temperatures soaring past 90 degrees this weekend, the temptation to take a dip is real. I get it. But better to be safe than sorry. After reading the latest warning in the Columbian yesterday, I went down to Everett where I found dozens of teens still jumping off the bridge, just like normal.
If you see people, let them know the risks.
OK, that’s it. Talk to you tomorrow.