Beech Tree News Network

I want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Butler County for the honor of serving you as Butler County Judge-Executive for the past eight years.  I am also extremely grateful for your vote and support during the Primary Election in May.  With the General Election only a few days away, I again ask for your continued vote and support for another term in office. As a former longtime business owner and with my time as judge-executive, I believe my overall leadership experience best qualifies me to lead county government as Butler County Judge-Executive.  Despite facing many challenges our community has faced over the past several years, Butler County is clearly moving in the right direction - both economically and in terms of quality of life.  Don't let anyone tell you it isn't.  Many jobs have been added to the local economy over the past few years and industrial space is filling up.  Yes, there is still work to be done and as an experienced judge-executive I believe I am the best candidate to lead Butler County.  Why?  Proven leadership.
When seeking elective office a few years ago, I stressed the importance of bringing people together and leadership through consensus building between all the stakeholders in the community.  As judge-executive, I have worked hard to bring that type of leadership to county government.  I have built relationships across our region and the entire state as judge-executive and those have and will continue to pay dividends for Butler County.  That's proven leadership.  
There are many areas in which the county has made measurable progress over the past few years.  The ambulance service, animal shelter, road department, and economic development are all responsibilities of county government in which we've worked hard to improve.  As judge-executive and with the help of other leaders, each of these areas has seen significant improvement.  That's proven leadership.
As judge-executive early in my first term, I faced a challenge head-on and worked with magistrates to help create a special taxing district with an independent governing board in order to put our ambulance service on firm financial ground, while shoring up county government's finances in the process.  Recognizing the importance of maintaining a quality local ambulance service was and is one of my top priorities and I'm proud of the steps we took to achieve that goal.  The Butler County Ambulance Service is clearly in a better position now than it was when I took office.  That's proven leadership. 
Likewise, the animal shelter was another county responsibility in which we took steps to improve.  The facility has received a facelift, operating procedures were streamlined, an aggressive pet adoption program was enacted, and a volunteer board assisted with shelter operations.  That's proven leadership. 
Many of you have noticed Butler County Road Department personnel up and down county roads battling the snow and ice during the winter and working on tiles, turn-arounds, blacktopping, grading, and performing other basic maintenance issues throughout the year.  I am proud of the employees in our road department and we've made significant investments in quality equipment in order to keep the roads safe and clear for travel.  Again, that's proven leadership.
Economic development is another area in which I feel we've made progress over the past few years.  Though we still face challenges in this area, companies have located here, jobs have been added to the local economy, and I believe we're moving in the right direction.  Partnering with our local Chamber of Commerce, the City of Morgantown, as well as the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, has helped to market our community to potential employers in a way that will continue to pay dividends in the future.  More work remains to be done in this area but even to the casual observer, Butler County is now in a much better position to keep moving forward in this area.  That's proven leadership. 
Finally, let me say that none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the combined effort of many individuals and organizations in our community.  As judge-executive, I think that one part of effective administration and leadership is in bringing diverse groups together to achieve common goals.  Therefore, whether it has been working with our local school district or with our rural development clubs, I have tried to work cooperatively will all parties to move our community forward.  I will continue this approach during the next few years.  
As I campaign across the county for re-election, understandably I have missed some of you.  Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to ask you for your vote and support on Tuesday, November 4.  As your judge-executive for another term, I will deliver proven leadership along with valuable governing experience to continue the progress we've made together.  And, I will never forget for whom I work - the people of Butler County.