Taking on Key Issues

At the center of Hayden Cook’s campaign is an obligation to solve problems facing Ward 2 and Missoula at large. Hayden will bring his educational background, lived experiences, and the voices of his constituents to the City Council. Hayden is ready to take on the challenges that currently face Missoula and those that we have yet to prepare for.

Take a look at the issues below that are driving his campaign and how he intends to address and solve issues facing our communities.

    • Waste & Recycling Management

      Advocate and explore possibilities for improved recycling efforts, yard and waste composting, and keeping the streets of Missoula waste-free.

    • Community Resources

      Advocate for a mobile cooling station for short-term respite from the heat. The mobile facility would be solar-powered, offering shade, air conditioning, water, device charging, seating, and information on local resources.

    • Clean Climate Incentives

      Advocate for tax credits and rebates for developers building energy-efficient and affordable homes and to homeowners/renters upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and systems.

    • Public Safety

      Incorporate climate shelters and related infrastructure in new developments and redesigns/renovations of public spaces.

    • Manage Stormwater & Reduce Energy Costs

      Encourage and incentivize the construction of green roofs and planting of shade species trees.

    • Street Lights

      Create a plan to brighten up parts of Missoula that are high-traffic, high-pedestrian, and/or pose particular dangers to public safety due to lack of visibility. Partner with Northwestern Energy, just as the City did in 2020 with the Montana LED Street and Yard Lightning Project to bring energy and cost-efficient LED lights to dark parts of Missoula.

    • Sidewalks

      Explore various alternatives to concrete sidewalks that would increase durability, be eco-friendly, contribute to stormwater management, and reduce the likelihood of root-caused or freeze-thaw damage. Prioritize sidewalks in places where they improve safety and connectivity, especially on roadways where sidewalks are not present on either side.

    • Roadways

      Encourage the use of economic and environmental industrial materials when creating, patching, or resurfacing roadways and other various asphalt-based infrastructure. The use of these industrial materials can reduce the cost of projects, material hauling, and disposal.

    • Paths & Trails

      Designating and preparing paths and trails that go with the natural flow of Missoula, connecting communities to nature. Use little manufactured materials in future projects and when applicable, recycled materials or natural earth surface.

    • Bus Stops

      Continued support for Mountain Line in its projects to create an all-electric fleet of public transportation, improve facilities at the station and stops across Missoula, and improve safety for all commuters.

    • Traffic Signs

      Explore the use of recycled aluminum and rubber to construct new and updated traffic signs in Missoula, reducing costs. Encourage the replacement of faded/damaged signs to ensure proper signage and improved safety.

    • Housing Subsidies

      Continue support through the Missoula Housing Authority and voucher programs to house low-income families.

    • Houselessness Programs

      Direct funds and resources to more permanent solutions to assist houseless persons while still being conscious of the need for temporary and emergency services.

    • Tax Credits

      Inform Missoulians of their optional tax credits to lower their cost of housing including, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and Residential Clean Energy Credit. As a municipal government, it is not only within our duties to create solutions for our constituents but also inform them of existing remedies.

    • Property Tax Reform

      Ease the burden of property taxes off of our low-middle income homeowners to encourage people to stay here and raise their families as well as aspiring homeowners having a chance to own a home where they grew up. Advocate for a shift in the burden from residential property owners to commercial and businesses.

    • Tenant Protections

      Introduce a tenant protection plan that would require all landlords/property owners who rent out their dwellings to provide new and existing tenants with resources and information regarding their rights. This could include information on anti-discrimination laws, safe and habitable housing, notice before entry, fair treatment, and how to report a violation of such tenant rights.

    • Innovative Housing

      Approve the construction of more diverse housing, lowering costs during the entire process from planning and contracts to purchasing and renting. This innovative housing includes modular homes, manufactured housing, crossmod homes, tiny homes, and ADUs. The traditional single-family homes, townhomes, and multiplexes would not be replaced by these alternatives.

    • Women

      I will always advocate for and protect a woman’s right to bodily autonomy. Not only should women’s health be lawfully protected but further researched and accessible. This improvement in women’s health should be studied and practiced right here in Missoula!

    • Racial Minorities

      I will always advocate for and protect the rights of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. As one of the most diverse cities in Montana, Missoula needs to encourage more cultural representation/appreciation, education, and history of the BIPOC community. Missoula is ~87% White, meaning ~13% of our neighbors belong to the BIPOC community!

    • LGBTQ+

      I will always advocate for and protect the LGBTQ+ community’s rights. The attacks on our trans neighbors and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole are reprehensible. I will only ever advocate and vote to further my community and never regress our progress for equity.

    • Disabled Individuals

      I will always advocate for and protect the disabled and impaired communities’ rights and access to quality care. I encourage Missoula to continue its work on making our community accessible for everybody and grow our social services for individuals needing assistance.

    • Emergency Services

      Continued support and growth of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) of Missoula.

    • Workers Rights

      Advocate for paid sick leave for all employees in Missoula, including mental health, domestic and sexual abuse, and stalking as qualifying reasons for the leave.

    • Natural and Public Spaces

      Creating more social and green spaces, especially in densely populated areas of Missoula and where such spaces are not within walking distance.

    • Public Engagement

      Advocate for more events and opportunities for individuals in the community to engage with each other. Involve school-aged children with volunteer work at the Humane Society of Western Montana and Missoula Food Bank.

    • Representation and Outreach

      Advocate for guest speakers at Missoula K-12 schools to present mental health education, with appropriate topics covered by age group. Increase representation of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, racial minorities, and disabled individuals in our K-12 schools and outreach programs for mental health information.

    • Graduation Requirements

      Work with the MCPS School Board on revising the graduation requirements in Missoula to better prepare our students for the reality of post-graduation life.

    • Curriculum For Grades 6-12

      Advocate for MCPS to adopt comprehensive LGBTQ+ Health Education standards within their curriculum. Additional curriculum standards include Conservation, Personal Finance, Government (Local/State/Federal), Cultural Studies, and Minorities in America.

    • After-School and Community Programs

      Advocate for the revival or equivalent resources of the Flagship after-school program. Advocate for local businesses and organizations to host/sponsor after-school programs for families of elementary and middle school students.

    • Youth Involved in Governance

      Advocate and produce guidelines to create a youth council composed of MCPS high school students that will act as an advisory board to the City Council and Mayor.

    • Student Experiences

      Advocate for a community effort to expose high school juniors and seniors to various sectors of Missoula. These opportunities come in the form of volunteering, job shadowing, field trips, public speaking events, etc, and provide real life experience for students interested in particular fields or topics.