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Fiscal Conservative * Protect Our Small Town & Traditions * Public Watchdog * Business Owner * Fighter for Citizens and Employees * Informs The Public

Preserve Our Small Town: There is too much growth! National developers are in the business to build as many units on an acre as possible, make the money, and move on. Too many of our leaders support this, at the expense of the quality of life of existing residents. As promised, beit on Highway 11, in rural areas or with subdivisions, I have advocated and voted to lower new housing density, protect our natural beauty and your quality of life.

Another EMS Station: Pickens County EMS did 18,411 calls last year; about 45% were in Easley. Yet Easley only has 33% of the EMS stations. A new station has not been built since 2012. The county has $8 million in Covid funding left. It should build a new EMS station in Easley and that will take pressure off the Pickens and Holly Springs ambulances, which too often have to play backup to Easley. This will lower response times in our area.

Fiscal Conservative: The council needs one member with the financial skill to dig into the numbers, help direct funds to essential needs and balance the budget without tax hikes. As a financial analyst, I readily research the county budget, audit and financial statements, put forth conservative solutions and articulate all that to the public so they aren’t left in the dark.

Opposed Historic Tax Hike: In 2021 the council passed a historic 10 mill tax hike and went around the state cap to do it. I voted “No”. The council had $23 million in savings and the federal government just gave the county another $24 million in Covid money. In 2023, I also voted “No” on a 23 mill fire property tax on all property — your house, vacant land, rental, car, RV, motorcycle, business equipment. Tax hikes are a last resort, not a first option. Before Pickens County had one of the lowest property tax rates in the state at 57 mills. Today it is 90. Late last year, year I proposed a 2.5 mill tax cut to help offset the hikes and it was defeated.

Highway 11: The council wrestled with “protecting” Scenic Highway 11 for months. In a 5 to 1 vote they did very little, as their plan allows new manufacturing, new commercial and new subdivisions all along the scenic highway. I voted “No” to doing nothing to protect the highway. It is a scenic highway and the new council should take actions to protect its beauity, natural resources and wildlife.

Public Watchdog: Every council or board needs one representative who will not disappear after the election and is the eyes and ears of the public, informs and tells you the rest of the story and is not be afraid to stand alone and up for you. I have a long record of communicating with the public via mailers, social media and letters to the editor; informing the public and keeping them educated on the issues; a record of constituent service and being your voice.

Stand Up For Employees: The county administration is tasked with hiring, firing and managing employees, but the council has the responsibility to insure employees are treated fairly. That is part of their oversight responsibility. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen in some cases. The library was an example. More than 40% of employees left over the March 2021 to March 2023 period. Current and former employees complained about unfair treatment. Who does this employee turn to in order to get a fair evaluation or hearing? The administration? The grievance committee? Nope. The council has to take a more active role in insuring employees are treated fairly when disputes occur.

Pickens Values: My wife and I have lived in Pickens nearly 25 years, put our roots down here, had our children here and put them through our local schools. I have over $3 million invested in our county, in a couple of businesses I own and manage. I may not be homegrown, but I am hometown and Pickens has winning morals, traditions and values that need to be protected and its interests have a strong voice in me on the council.

Represent Pickens First: While I serve on the county council, I was sent to the council to represent the people of Pickens -- their values, traditions and interests. For example, the Hagood Mill is a fixture of the Pickens community. Its pavilion needed walls and barn doors, for years now. Working with the county, Hagood Mill Foundation and Davey Hiott, the process of closing in the pavillion is under way and the aim is to finish up the project later in the year.