When people talk about small towns, they often assume money is the biggest barrier. But I believe it’s not just about money — it’s about how we think about money. Dupont doesn’t need higher taxes or bigger budgets; what we need are smarter, more innovative financial policies that stretch every dollar further and open new opportunities for growth.

I’ve seen too many borough budgets where money disappears into line items with no explanation. Residents deserve better. Imagine if every tax dollar could be tracked in real time, right down to what project it funded — paving a road, fixing a pipe, improving a park. Technology exists today that can make that possible, and I want Dupont to be one of the first boroughs in the region to embrace it.

Innovation also means being aggressive about outside funding. There are grants — federal, state, and private — that small towns like ours often leave on the table because no one takes the time to apply. I will make grant-seeking a priority, bringing new resources into Dupont without putting more burden on taxpayers.

And yes, it also means exploring the frontier of finance. Other towns may roll their eyes at new ideas like crypto-based community funds or blockchain-based transparency tools. But if these tools can give residents clearer oversight, cut down on waste, and capture new streams of revenue that go back into public safety, seniors, and infrastructure, then why wouldn’t we explore them? Innovation doesn’t mean gambling — it means finding smart, cautious ways to stay ahead of the curve.

At its core, innovative financial policy is about giving people confidence. Confidence that their money isn’t being wasted. Confidence that Dupont can seize opportunities instead of falling behind. And confidence that this borough can stand on its own two feet in a changing world.

We don’t need to be bigger to be stronger. We just need to be smarter.