Alexandra Nelson, 55, is a former full-time server and mother. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Kingston Wire: How did you or your family come to Kingston?

Alexandra Nelson: My mother moved to this area in 1973 and my family just grew up here. As an adult I started living here in Kingston with my children. About 20-something years ago. I was from Woodstock and Kingston was just a little more urban and had more opportunities and just, you know, there’s a store right down the street kind of thing.

KW: What do you like about Kingston?

AN: It’s very, very progressive in a lot of ways, like the O+ [art festival] movement and the way they put in bike lanes in the streets because they were having accidents. There’s just a certain progressive attitude in the city that you’re not going to find in the surrounding areas. I grew up in Woodstock which was progressive, but I also spent time out in Shandaken and further out and I know what it’s like when you get outside the area. Also what I love about it is — my God — the history. Just look where we’re standing.

KW: Is there anything you would change about Kingston?

AN: Affordable housing. I think that you’re going to find that’s sort of across the board when it comes to opinions here. I’m a lifelong on-and-off resident of the area and my mother who just passed away two years ago was being priced out of her home in Woodstock where she had been for a long, long time. It was basically Airbnb and those types of things. So that’s what I would change.

KW: How do you think Kingston will be different in 20 years?

AN: Of course it depends on the course that we’re going on, because many things could change. It’s almost impossible at this moment to predict. Nationwide it’s difficult to predict, statewide it’s difficult to predict. I mean [Republican U.S. Rep Elise] Stefanik is wanting to be governor. Politics can affect the entire thing. We have a good administration here in town, though I’m sure a lot of people would disagree with me.