Serving as a Commissioners since 2012, my goal has been to lead by focusing on the future by investing in public safety, education and providing quality services to the citizens of Cabarrus County. I have been committed to doing this through collaboration and collaborative efforts which I believe is the best way to serve our citizens. As a proven conservative, I have also been committed to obtain these goals with the economic philosophy of prudence in government spending and debt.  I have also been committed to listening to our citizens and taking action.  I invite you review some of our accomplishments since 2012. 

1) Citizens expressed their concern about PUBLIC SAFETY including law enforcement, emergency management services, and fire services.

• Supports retaining employees in our public safety sector and provides competitive salaries in the competitive job market to ensure a safe environment for our citizens.
• Supports a joint County/Municipal Public Safety Training Center on Jackson Training School property acquired from the state so that our public safety professionals are trained and stand ready on a moment’s notice to prevent danger and to protect the wellbeing of our citizens, communities, and organizations.
• Supports EMS as they provide excellent performance and care as they serve as a model system providing advanced paramedic-level care to the residents of Cabarrus County. This department responds to about 33,000 calls each year and boasts a response time of 7.2 minutes, one of the best in the state. They will be moving into a state-of-the-art facility in 2023 that will support this continued level of service for our citizens.
• Supports continued efforts to make sure our Volunteer Fire Departments meet the challenges of less available volunteers and more paid staff to protect our community.

2) Citizens expressed their concern about the MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES in our county today.

• My goal has been to heighten public awareness and improve the treatment and recovery of individuals with mental illness in our community through appropriate evaluation, intervention, diversion and supervision. 
• I led the effort to help find ways to provide care for those with mental illness which has resulted in a new Mental Health Facility to be built right here in our community.
• Advocated with our local delegation to the General Assembly for funding to build our new behavioral health facility resulting in a $32.5 million allocation to go toward the construction costs.
• Provided funding to Atrium Health Cabarrus to construct a behavioral health emergency department. In October of 2021, Commissioners announced $3.5 million American Rescue Plan Act grant that will fund this conversion which will have significant impact on our behavioral health patient population in our community. 

3) Citizens expressed the desire for a great QUALITY OF LIFE and environment to live, work and play.

• Support of Parks and Recreation
  • Restored funding in 2014 for Rob Wallace Park that was cut by commissioners in 2013. It was a priority for me to make sure this recreational and community facility was in place in the Midland area of our county.      
  • Planning for the future growth of recreational opportunities, the county has obtained 614 acres of land for a future St. Stephens Road park.
  • Construction of the replacement for the much-loved barn at Frank Liske Park lost to an intentionally set fire.
  • Supporting installation of artificial turf fields at Cabarrus County High Schools in partnership with the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
• Senior Centers – Promoting Active Aging and Independence
  • In this growing county, I continue to work to provide Active Living Centers throughout the county for convenience for all citizens and communities. We are ready to break ground on combination Library/Active Living Centers in both Mt. Pleasant and on the Western side of the county in August of 2023. We are in discussions to construct a third one in the Harrisburg area.
  • Supporting Seniors in their golden years in activities like the Senior Games and other quality-of-life opportunities.    
• Libraries – Promoting Learning, Support Literacy and Education, and Help Create an Innovative Society
  • Supporting the mission of the Cabarrus County Public Library system’s mission to connect residents with information and resources that educate, enrich, and empower.

4) Citizens expressed the desire for exceptional EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES for all ages

• As required by state law, the county provides for the construction of schools. Building state-of-the-art schools for our students to provide the ultimate learning environment has been a focus of mine, doing this while making sure to be a good steward of tax dollars.       
• Supporting our exceptional teachers in the Cabarrus County Schools by providing a 12% supplement on the base state scale. This is the highest in the region for districts our size. We have increased supplements every year since 2013.
• Supporting three Early College High Schools empowering students for college, career, and life.
• Support of Rowan Cabarrus Community College. I have served on the RCCC Board of  Trustees since 2012 helping shape the future of education to benefit citizens in the area. 19,000 students attended RCCC in 2022 and have a brighter future as a result.
• Serves on the Founding Steering Committee for Cabarrus County Career and Leadership Program for High School Juniors helping to educate them on career opportunities right here in Cabarrus County.

5) Citizens expressed  the need for quality HIGH PAYING JOBS and ECONOMIC STABILITY

• Chief advocate leading the effort to bring 71 companies to Cabarrus County since 2012 with over 7,000 new jobs created and over $3.5 billion in investment added to the tax base in this community.
• Proud to report that Average Wage has increased from approximately $35,000 in 2012 to $47,768 now.
• Advocate, supporter, and mentor of the Cabarrus Center and Flywheel which is an entity that provides affordable space and community infrastructure to support startups, entrepreneurs, and new small businesses.

6) Citizens expressed the desire for COLLABORATION and COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP

• In 2014, led an effort to create Public Official Summits for all municipal elected officials on a quarterly basis to have opportunities to see how we can work together to serve all citizens of this county.
• In a collaborative effort with the City of Concord, we joined forces to build a new five-story parking structure in downtown which added 614 parking spots in the downtown and spurred new development that will revitalize Downtown Concord.
• Collaborated and cooperated with the City of Kannapolis elected officials to create a Tax Increment Financing District to support infrastructure for the redevelopment of downtown Kannapolis.
• Worked with the Town of Harrisburg and the developers of Farmington to create needed transportation arteries and new jobs and tax base.
• Supporting efforts to offer services to the underserved through the Dream Center and their vision of uniting local private, faith-based, and government organizations to provide a centralized location where our citizens are offered assistance and resources.
• Led the effort for the county to repurpose Stonewall Jackson Training School Property in collaboration with state officials to save these deteriorating historic buildings and place them back on the tax books.