Beech Tree News Network

I have served our community as a member of the Morgantown City Council for eight years.   While those who know me might say I’m the last person you’d have expected to become a politician, serving our community is a role I am comfortable with and why I am asking to be your Mayor. 
When I first ran for the council, I made two promises:  to fix our sidewalks and to address the pay scale for our Mayor and Council.  Today, even my critics will have to acknowledge that I have kept my word.  We had politicians discuss our needed sidewalk repairs but who repeatedly failed to act and complete the project.  Likewise, our city’s elected officials drew a salary that was much higher than any other city of our size and the politicians turned a blind eye and refused to make the needed adjustments.  Sadly, both of these issues existed for years without being addressed. 
I’m proud to have been part of the solution of moving the sidewalk issue to the top of our priorities.  We didn’t fix the sidewalks because of my actions, but because we have a caring community of talented people willing to share their skills. 
We addressed the elected officials’ pay and made some reductions bringing us closer in the range of other similar cities.  I don’t support future increases of the Mayor’s salary to be certain we don’t once again end up with the state’s highest paid city leader being paid our hard-earned tax dollars.  It's not why I serve!
Our community’s future depends on leadership that will address our issues.  Like the sidewalk issue, we will move our city forward by enabling our residents to be part of the solution.  We have a great hometown now but by working together with effective leadership, we can boldly move into a brighter future for all to enjoy. 
I'm proud to be a part of reorganizing the Morgantown Police Department, a department that was running rampant in overtime hours, understaffed, outdated equipment and having to deal with internal legal issues.  Today, as a result, we have a respected, up-to-date, professional police department second to none.
I'm very proud to be a part of the new location of the Ambulance service.  This is what happens with entities working together. I feel this location will also help in future industrial recruitment.
Workforce development is something that is important and isn't going unnoticed. We will be working closely with the school system to assist if needed.
My promise as your Mayor will to devote myself to representing you in a manner that will honor our values and build on the relationships I have made, from being a member of our business community and as a city councilman, to attract good paying jobs, while never forgetting the small family businesses who make us who we are today. 
I am honored to serve as your City Councilman.  If you honor me by electing me to serve as your Mayor, I can assure you that no family will carry more clout than another, including my own.  I love our community and I want to see us thrive.