I'm calling for transparent, inclusive, and meaningful community engagement in local government.

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We are facing a culture of top-down governance, where decisions are being made before they even reach the public's ear. As a result, residents are feeling blindsided, unheard, and disconnected from major projects that impact their lives. We need real, authentic engagement from the beginning, not just a public relations campaign after decisions are already made. When the public is involved early, decision-makers gain a fuller picture—additional facts, diverse perspectives, and community values—that lead to more informed, effective and efficient choices.

This issue isn’t new to San Antonio. In 2018, then-Councilwoman Sandoval pushed for change, but the City's response has been weak and inconsistent. Across D1, residents, business owners, and neighborhood leaders bring invaluable knowledge and insight, yet their voices are too often dismissed or go unheard. It’s time to change that. We have a plan to implement real standards—proven in cities nationwide—to ensure information is timely, reaches diverse voices, and that input is both intentionally sought and meaningfully considered to create better outcomes.

We have a plan to implement real standards—proven in cities nationwide—to ensure information is timely, reaches diverse voices, and that input is both intentionally sought and meaningfully considered to create better outcomes.

Through an early assessment, we need to understand who will be affected, who needs to be involved, and what concerns the community has. The greater the project's cost, duration, or impact on historic resources and culture, the more intentional and inclusive the participation process must be.

Too often, the city unveils plans only after big decisions are final. That’s not public engagement—it’s public relations. Public input needs to be part of the earliest stages of planning, when real change is still possible.

Working families and busy residents deserve a real say, not just a meeting they can’t attend or a last-minute chance to weigh in on an issue they weren’t informed about. Once stakeholders are identified, they must be actively engaged through interviews, meetings, and communication strategies that put accessibility first. Surveys alone are not enough for complex issues—we need a strategy that fosters inclusive engagement and leads to better outcomes.

Public participation must be woven into every stage of decision-making to keep stakeholders informed, maintain trust, and prevent the community from being left in the dark.