Platform

As Ronald Reagan famously said, “Government’s first duty is to protect its people, not run their lives.” As a Commissioner, I focus on issues that will affect the lives of the citizens daily and work to find solutions that meet the needs of our citizens. The issues important to me include:  

Freedom.

 As John Adams stated, “But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.” Our freedoms do not come from the government. Rather, they are God-given rights that are to be protected by and enshrined by the government. I am a staunch supporter of freedoms in all aspects of American life and work diligently to ensure that rules and regulations of Henderson County have the least intrusive effect on citizen’s lives as possible.  

The Land Development Code (LDC) and Land Use. 

The LDC has a vast effect on how citizens use their land, how businesses operate, and affects business cost. As a land surveyor, I work with the LDC and its regulations daily and have a first-hand understanding of its effects on our County. The LDC is up for review. Given the opportunity, I will use my experience and knowledge from being a land surveyor to help shape the LDC. 

Focusing & Directing Growth. 

I believe that growth is best managed through proper direction of public infrastructures, such as sewer, water, etc. It is no secret that Henderson County is growing, and it is growing quickly. To properly manage this growth, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners must influence the direction of public infrastructures to areas of the County suited for growth. 

Agriculture. 

I support farmers and agriculture. In Henderson County, we are blessed to have a strong farming and agriculture community. Henderson County is looking into a Farmland Preservation Program to support the retention of farmland in Henderson County. This retention will assist in keeping agriculture a viable industry in our County. My support of farmers and agriculture is rooted in my upbringing on my family farm. I currently own an interest in that family farm and it is still in active use today. I will support efforts to create local agriculture businesses and bring more markets to our area. 

Law Enforcement, Fire Departments, EMS, and Rescue Squad. 

Our law enforcement, volunteer fire departments, emergency medical services, and rescue squad are the backbone of our community. The brave men and women who serve in these departments work tirelessly to ensure that our County is safe. Supporting these individuals to be able to respond quickly and effectively to any emergency is a top priority of mine and will continue to be in the future.   

Fiscally and Socially Conservative Principles.

 I am running for re-election to continue to promote a fiscally and socially conservative future for Henderson County. As President Ronald Reagan said, a “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not to run their lives.” I believe that a small, limited, and fiscally responsible government best serves its people. Henderson County has worked to embody this theory over the last few years, and I want to ensure that it continues. Henderson County’s fiscally conservative principles have resulted in the County being in a strong financial state, operating under a balanced budget, the County having one of the lowest tax rates in the State of North Carolina for a County of our size, and the County having an excellent Bond rating. Henderson County needs consistent leadership that continues to uphold these conversative principles and values.

Addressing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness.

 Many citizens of Henderson County struggle with addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness. Addressing these issues, especially the addiction crisis, will be critical for Henderson County in the coming years. The Board of Commissioners has allocated funds from the Opioid Settlement Fund to fund an Adult Recovery Court in Henderson County. We are also planning to place reentry coordinators in the Henderson County Jail to be a resource to individuals while incarcerated. I would like to see the County continue to assist with these matters by making citizens aware of the avenues and services available in our County, including rehabilitation services, shelters, and agencies. Henderson County will also need to work closely with our Sheriff’s Department and health department to address homeless camps in the County.