Campaign Focus
1. Principled Leadership!
No group, team, or organization can consistently operate beyond its leadership.
- Throughout human history, circumstances and difficulties have commissioned true courageous leaders to action. The challenges facing our nation, state, and communities are summoning leaders of character, integrity, and values to action and service. Fathers and mothers, clergy, business owners, educators, first responders, and elected officials must all step forward and labor together to preserve our republic. I have often heard it said that there are two kinds of people in every crisis, “Those who run from the fray and those who run into the fight!” I am inviting all the citizens of Matthews to join me and run into storms of difficulties and help save our beloved nation. Let’s start right here in Matthews, North Carolina.
2. Preserving Carolina Values!
Values of faith, family, fidelity, and freedom are priceless.
- Someone’s morals and values will dominate society and our community. For many generations, those values were firmly determined by a biblical and Christian worldview. I believe the biblical worldview is the most liberating, transformative, and uplifting worldview. America has enjoyed the benefits of a gracious and benevolent God for two hundred and forty-seven years. The great question is, will His grace continue to keep and protect us in light of our waywardness? Our Carolina values are also seen in our faithfulness to those many responsibilities entrusted to us as a nation. Values recorded in the second paragraph of The Declaration of Independence, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…” We must never forget the worth and the cost of sustained freedom. I believe the greatest threat to liberty and freedom is tyrannical government.
3. Prudent Spending Practices!
Financial wisdom and stewardship are indispensable qualities for effective leadership.
- Mecklenburg County and the town of Matthews just instituted one of the highest tax increases in the history of this county and town, cloaked in inflated property value increases. I do not believe for one moment that more tax revenue is the answer to our joined future. It’s the duty of the municipal government to help manage the town assets and resources, not spend, spend, and spend. We must continue to look for ways to manage our municipality well without raising taxes. Inflation is having a measurable impact on the individual family and the cost of managing our town effectively and efficiently. However, taking more from the pockets of the people is not the solution. We must earnestly search for wise, innovative, and creative ways to do business better without demanding an increase from the people.
4. Planned & Managed Growth!
A measured and managed growth plan is vital.
- The town of Matthews has a lot to offer the young growing family and the soon to be retirees. Those priceless assets must be treasured and managed with a long-term vision in mind. Matthews must not become the overflow reservoir of Charlotte’s urban sprawl. We must have our own vision and hold to it. Some measured growth is welcomed and expected, but not at the expense of our long-standing established communities and neighborhoods. There are selected areas where high density housing is appropriate, but not without watchful planning. There are areas where mix use of residential and business accommodation works well together, but not everywhere. I recognize that there are many challenges such as traffic that appear to be beyond a commissioner’s scope of duty and ability, but leadership is influence. Effective prudent leaders influence some for the betterment of all!
5. Public Safety & Property Security!
Ensuring safety for our citizens and security for homes and businesses are a must.
- The urbanization of the Charlotte Metrolina area continues to bring many of the ills and challenges of big city America. As a former law enforcement officer, I witnessed firsthand how challenging it can be to ensure the safety and wellbeing of a community. Yet, it is an absolute must to maintain the quality of life our families and town need and expect. A considerable portion of our nation were irreparably harmed by the “Defund the Police” movement, and the residue of that madness has given license to lawlessness in many major cities. Matthews’ “First Responders” must know and recognize our thanks, respect and appreciation for their selfless sacrifices made daily. Our thanks must go beyond their salary, but also in how we communicate and interact with them daily.