Kent County Levy Court is the County government. The Levy Court is composed of seven elected Commissioners, six of whom are elected from the districts in which they reside and the seventh is elected at-large to represent the entire county. The commissioners have both legislative (policy making) and executive powers and are responsible for county finances, facilities, personnel and rural zoning. They approve an annual budget, determine tax levies, issue bonds for county capital improvement, buy and sell land and buildings, manage real and personal property, manage facilities for sewage, develop recreational and employment programs, provide ambulance service, libraries and other necessary county infrastructure.Levy Court Commissioners serve staggered 4-year terms.
Campaign Phone
302-943-7328
Neighborhood/area of residence
Moose Lodge Rd
Education
Wilmington University Bachelors Degree in Business Management; Delaware Tech Associates Degree in Information Technology
Work Experience
16 years as Kent County Commissioner in my District. 27 years with the state in various roles, including DelDOT and Department of Technology and Information, retiring after my final seven years with Smyrna School District. 5 years as Chief Information Officer with Wesley College.
Community Involvement
Community involvement with Viola-Canterbury-Felton Ruritan, Wyoming United Methodist Church, attending Homeowner Association meetings, Civic Association meetings, attending State Legislator public meetings.
Additional Information
2012 Honorary Commander with the Dover Air Force Base, participating with many community events hosted by my assigned squadron and base commanders. 2019 Legislative Award for Outstanding Support and Leadership of Parks and Recreation Departments. 2022 Public Official of the Year, Stars of Delaware program..
My Opponent has not lived in Kent County for more than 5 years. I have lived here for 63 of my 64 years, growing up in Rodney Village and just off Old Mill Rd. I have 16 years in this elected office, forging relationships with hundreds of people who are leaders in their communities, families who needed assistance with County or State issues, or anyone who knew me to be a public official who would listen. For the last 39 years, I have lived on Moose Lodge Rd. I became involved in County politics because I opposed a massive subdivision planned for the area east of Moose Lodge Rd.
I am contacted by residents all over the County because they have heard that I am someone who will listen and will try to help with their issues.
Managing County spending to continue our history of low property taxes and avoid future tax increases, focusing on public safety and government transparency.
As the economy improves and new businesses relocate here, attracting more residential growth, improve coordination with DelDOT.
Address an increase in poor quality home construction and non-responsive developers or builders who fail to honor warrantees on their construction.
Increase the School Impact Fee to provide more developer/builder contributions to impact on school population with their development.
Continue to support the development of County parks and recreational opportunities that are available to all residents for very low cost.
I was the only Commissioner who voted against eliminating the County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances that helped to manage growth. Commissioners should not have removed them. The Roads APFO was effective at forcing a deeper traffic study to ensure that developers are addressing traffic concerns made worse by their development. As a member of the Dover-Kent MPO, I participate in guiding transportation focus for the next fifty years in Kent County.
Schools APFO and Impact Fees were used by CR’s to offset the local costs to purchase St. Thomas Moore Academy for the Magnolia Middle School, and not having to raise the school tax rate for the purchase.
Developers and Builders gain a much higher profit margin on larger homes than on smaller homes. The only way to encourage developers and builders to build smaller homes is to incentivize that construction by allowing higher density or to subsidize their profit margin, which would result in high property taxes to fund such an initiative. Without these two options, the market will drive the construction of affordable housing, with young families demanding smaller homes, and not overspending their budgets on larger homes. When the inventory of larger homes becomes bloated, their prices will drop, allowing for lower priced smaller homes to become more profitable.
I already attend Civic and Homeowner Association Meeting, as well as State Legislators' public meetings, providing an opportunity to listen to constituent concerns. I work with residents to host Community Clean-Up days and Picnics. I attend community yard sales and picnics, meeting with people in a relaxed atmosphere to just listen. I attend community meetings hosted by school districts when discussing financial issues and possible funding resolutions, to listen to the public’s concerns. Levy Court Commissioner is a full-time position, requiring many nights of meeting with constituents and the public, if the Commissioner wants to do it right.
