Faith, Family and Service are the most important values to me.
I recognize that we, as Lake County residents, are blessed to live in a truly wonderful place. Our natural resources and beauty are seen throughout each sector of the county from Leesburg to Four Corners in Clermont. Crime is low and quality of life is high. Education is one of the most important aspects that concerns all Lake County residents, which is why we strive to provide the best education for all students. As your County Commissioner, I will continue to help keep Lake County a place that supports the best for all.
I strongly believe in exercising servant leadership and in actively listening to residents’ concerns by holding at least one open outreach meeting a month called Coffee and Conversations in South Lake County, providing an opportunity for residents to meet one-on-one in a casual setting of a local restaurant. I’m an ardent leader and supporter of economic development as well as business friendly initiatives. I’m interested in serving the citizens of Lake County by focusing on public safety, water resources, as well as parks and recreation. I’ve championed the cause to bring competitive rowing to Lake County and passionate about the Wellness Way Plan for bringing high wage jobs to Lake County while protecting the quality of life.
I have had the honor of being your County Commissioner for two terms and am currently the incumbent. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. I’m certified as an Urban and Regional Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and am a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP), being elected in 2004 to the Lake County Water Authority.
I am a proponent of slow, well thought out, growth for Lake County. Because of the surge in new home construction, stress is added to our infrastructure. Growth is important, but left unmanaged, uncontrolled growth burdens our schools, traffic and crime. It also impacts our natural resources, including the aquifer that is so important to everything we do. In the years as your County Commissioner District 2, I have helped Lake County to grow responsibly and will continue to do so.
My position on taxes is, and always has been, to keep them as low as possible. In these uncertain times, families need as much of their hard earn dollars for the basic necessities of life. I cannot see a time in the near future that I would vote to increase that tax burden on you. Counter to that, I will be working with commissioners to find ways to ease your tax burden.
Every county and community within that county has issues that are unique to them. Of course, some hot topic issues, like education, climate and inclusion are the most talked about on a national level, but for Lake County, I believe it is the water consumption of our residents and businesses that will ultimately have the most damaging impact on our quality of life. This can be hastened by mass migration to Lake County, which is why slow, sustainable growth, has been a pillar to our success.
Lake County schools have faced difficult times in the past, but are rebounding to be some of the best in the state. We understand that a good education starts with great teachers. I support those who dedicate their lives to educating the next generation of leaders.
If you want more information about me or my campaign, contact me and I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.