BIOGRAPHY

I am immensely proud of the accomplishments this city has made during my first term. The renovation of the high school, on time and within our budget, our infrastructure renewal including a complete rebuilding effort at the Moyer Sports Complex, and recent updates to the parks including brand new pickleball courts and other amenities. And even though these efforts have cost investment by our city, we have significant growth in our financial position, and strong reserves to protect our city and its citizens in the future. Truly a remarkable achievement made by city council, city administration, and our school board.

I am proud that we changed council meetings to include citizen comments. This is our city and I strongly encourage communication from citizens to city council. 

I have been told many times “We were elected to make tough decisions.” My response has always been “We were elected to represent the citizens we serve.” I hope you agree with me on that.

I worked hard to represent our citizens on numerous decisions including my opposition to the Simms Farm development. I want to make sure citizens have a representative on city council who listens to all discussions. 

I would like to continue my efforts on our infrastructure including the civic center, baseball, and football stadiums. Our complex is one of the most versatile and few cities our size can boast such great facilities and we must continue our investment to keep us strong in the tourism market. 

Economic development is high on my list of priorities and though we have had a strong influx of new business, our continued support of our resident businesses is crucial. Our current state of financial security is based on a strong versatile business community. 

I am extremely pleased with our downtown project. The revitalization of our downtown has been an especially important ongoing project for our council. We have major infrastructure projects on the horizon including water and sewer improvements in certain areas of our city, the expansion of Wi-Fi in our city, and many other related projects. 

Our employees are still the backbone of our city. After our Covid period began its decline, city council has provided salary increases and packages to continue moving us as quickly as possible to raising salaries and starting pay for the people of this city that keep it running as smooth as possible. 

My job on city council is not complete. There are more future projects that I can provide invaluable input on from my time as a former 33-year employee who understands how this city operates and remembers how previous councils have designed this city to operate as a business, not a government. 

As a council member, I have tried to attend all functions asked of me and any city and regional meetings necessary. My record on that has always been Salem first, middle, and last.

I have diligently tried to make sure our schools have also had the monetary funds to continue to be one of the best in our state. In dealing with our school board, which designs and crafts their budget, I have always tried to fund the projects needed and increase salaries as warranted amid the current economic climate without damaging the annual city budget. 

Qualifications 

33-year city employee at the Salem Civic Center including administrative duties for the NCAA, CIAA, VHSL, the Salem Fair, Salem Football Stadium, and the Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium

Roanoke College graduate 1983

Salem High School graduate 1978 (the first year the school opened)

Lived in Salem my entire life

Worked under five city managers and multiple city councils

Member of:

Roanoke Valley Allegheny Regional Commission

Career Works CLEO

Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame

City of Salem Economic Development Committee