When readers last read about Casey Clowes, she was running for the Tempe City Council in 2020.
A graduate of Arizona State University with degrees in Public Service-Public Policy, and Law, She has also volunteered her personal time to various community causes like the Tempe YMCA, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and Voter Protection. Ms. Clowes is a practicing attorney working for an organization that promotes a zero-emission future with hydrogen fuel cells and electric semi-trucks.
Although her campaign to serve on the Tempe City Council fell short in 2020, Ms. Clowes is running for one of the three open seats on the council for the 2022 election cycle.
If elected, she promises to make Tempe the best home for all that live there by focusing on housing affordability, road infrastructure, and local sustainability.
Ms. Clowes graciously took the time to respond to questions about herself and her candidacy for Tempe City Council.
The questions and her responses are below.
1) Please tell the readers two reasons you would like to be on the Tempe City Council?
“I care about Tempe; it’s my home. Because it’s my home, I want to make sure that it is the best possible place it can be. Not just for me, but for all people who call Tempe home.
Decisions made on the local level shape how people live their lives. Whether you live on and near shady sidewalks, have access to preschool through TempePRE, can find an affordable place to live, or have the opportunity to check out a book at the library and go to a park in your neighborhood all shape how you are able to move through, live in, and interact with the city. The City Council makes important decisions impacting the lives of everyone in Tempe and I want to bring a thoughtful and inclusive perspective to the council.”
2) Please tell the readers two qualifications you have to serve on the Tempe City Council.
“I combine a strong legal background that makes me ready to analyze the complex policy questions that come before the Council with a personal experience that drives me to advocate for all Tempe residents.
As an attorney, I have experience advocating for my client’s best interests and favorably negotiating multi-million-dollar contracts. As a City Council member, I will be a strong fighter for all Tempe residents and work to negotiate for and ensure residents’ interests are put first when deciding matters before the Council.
I care about Tempe, and above all, I am passionate about spending my personal and professional life working to improve the lives of others. My experiences volunteering at and working with non-profits, including on the Advisory Board of the Tempe Family YMCA, have prepared me to give thought to all people and roll up my sleeves to get the job done.
I work for an organization that promotes a zero-emission future with hydrogen fuel cells and electric semi-trucks. I have gotten experience talking to a lot of people in Tempe getting to know the city better and becoming more familiar with the issues and staying in tune with local issues that affect our neighborhood.
I will pursue equitable solutions to Tempe’s modern challenges and thoughtfully consider complex policy matters by consulting with stakeholders and experts before making decisions.”
3) What are at least three issues you would like to work on if elected to the Tempe City Council?
“Affordability: The city should use smart policy to further encourage the development of new affordable housing and maintain existing affordable units. Tempe is stronger when we ensure nobody gets priced out and everyone has the dignity of a safe and stable home.
Road Condition, Safety, and Traffic: We can link road resurfacing projects to our plans for modern street design and safe access for people using the roads, sidewalks, or bike lanes. Tempe should evaluate road maintenance for opportunities to improve safety, multimodal transportation, and reduce flooding with green stormwater infrastructure. Additionally, Tempe should reduce traffic while improving our air quality by implementing a transportation demand management program. The streetcar should relieve traffic congestion, especially around the areas people travel on short distances like Sun Devil Stadium, Gamage, and Mill Avenue around ASU.
Sustainability: Among other things, Tempe can improve its sustainability efforts by reducing the urban heat island effect, increasing shade, adopting green infrastructure and building codes, and improving resiliency. The summer heat increases energy costs and is a health hazard, especially for our most vulnerable residents. The city can prioritize a comprehensive network of shade structures, tree cover, and green building materials that absorb less heat. By adopting green infrastructure and building codes, Tempe can allow builders who wish to become green building certified to do so. The city can also invest in its resiliency to extreme heat, blackouts, and other disasters by increasing its renewable energy and storage capacity. This preparation would allow for cooling stations during extreme heat, places for people who need electricity for life-saving equipment and medications to access it, and more. Tempe is a leader in sustainability and a second plan to update the first is important since we are locked into the two degrees Celsius change. My role in representing the best interests of my client as a lawyer and I see that experience in making the best deals for Tempe in sustainability and other areas.”
4) Is there anything not covered in the first three questions that you would like the readers to know? Please explain.
“I look forward to serving Tempe and welcome the opportunity to discuss the issues Tempeans face every day. Feel free to reach out to me at casey@clowesforcouncil.com to chat. Our grassroots campaign would not be possible without you and I’d love for you to join us!”
What you can do to help:
- Sign my petition at com/petition
- Request a yard sign at com/yardsign
- Contribute to our grassroots campaign at com/donate
- Learn more about volunteering at com/get-involved
For more information on Casey Clowes and her candidacy for Tempe City Council, please click on the below social media links:
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