The 7-member Board sets the policy for the county, determining the strategic vision for the county, appoints a county manager, attorney and others to serve the county, adopts ordinances, including zoning, and establishes an annual budget, which includes setting the tax rate and calling bond referendums. All commissioners must reside in one of 6 townships; Gastonia is represented by 2 commissioners. All are elected at large in partisan elections in even-numbered years and serve staggered 4-year terms.
Position/philosophy statement
I am a Christian conservative, first time politician, that believes in smaller government less taxes and I believe the politicians work for the people not themselves.
Current Occupation
Executive security training officer for Billy Graham evangelic association
Age (optional)
60
Campaign Phone
9809254151
I am a retired, master sergeant at United States, Air Force/air National Guard. I am also retired captain from the Gaston county sheriffs office, where I spent 15 years on command staff. I have graduated from numerous leadership schools, including Air Force, NCO Academy, Air Force, Senior Academy, and the FBI national Academy. I have numerous years, negotiating, federal and state contracts for Gaston county government, as well as presenting budgets and grants to the Gaston county commissioners. I have worked hand-in-hand with the Gaston county commissioners through the years for Equipment and building contracts. I was lead negotiator on the 287g program for Gaston county and for the personnel when the new jail courthouse was built.
I think one of the most important issues that we have in Gaston county is overbuilding outdated infrastructure. I feel as a county commissioner our job is to get everyone to sit down, including the city council members, local business owners, local residence, as well as the county commissioners to discuss what is best for everyone involved. What is it do we want Gaston county represent? Do we want big business? Do we want tourism? Or do we just want residential areas that bring no jobs to the county? My feeling is smart growth, it’s a mixture of all the above, but the final question should be answered on the majority of the people of gas and county not just the county commissioners. Again, I feel county commissioners work for the people.
I’ve been doing a lot of research about this actual problem that we have in Gaston county. I compared it to Cabarrus county which is very similar in size geographic make up and racial make up they spend over $100 million a year on schools while we spend around 60 million. Our DHHS is almost $100 million while theirs is around 50 million. I feel that we could cut a lot of the free stuff giving out to people that don’t want to work and invest that money and our children here in Gaston county. We can partner with local businesses to help teach children, different trades, as well as college courses. And as you will know, all students may not want to go to college, but if they learn a good trade, they can make just as much money or more.
There has been a number of the county commissioners that are on the board now that are happy with letting warehouses being built along the 85 corridor and shipping terminals for the airport in Charlotte. The average salary for someone working at a warehouse is around $15 an hour. If we can try to attract actual manufacturing companies here to Gaston county, most manufacturing salaries around the country are between $20 and $25 an hour depending on your location. That also brings in Taxes from the company doing business here, because warehouses don’t pay certain taxes because they’re not producing anything here. Also, I feel that there are a number of places in our budget that could be cut drastically.
I think one of the main things that I would look at is to see who are eligible for our programs. Going through state and federal law I have noticed that people in our country illegally are not eligible for a lot of the programs that they are receiving, including healthcare. The law states that they’re only eligible for emergency healthcare, otherwise they have to buy insurance like me and you. Nowhere in the laws that income housing or assistance should go to illegal immigrants because they do not pay taxes. I am all for legal immigration, but our country just can’t afford taking care of everybody coming into this country illegally. This might seem a little mean, but what happens if the money runs out and we can’t take care of ourselves.
Other areas that are higher on my list or public safety, the safety in our schools, and in our communities and supporting our teachers. I have said this on numerous occasions that I believe teachers should leave their bedrooms at home and not bring them into the classrooms. Most of the teachers that I know feel the same way, but if they speak out they’re chastised. When we talk about safety in the schools, students that misbehave and not disciplined, they will continue down that road. Discipline should be swift, and if it does not correct the actions, they should no longer be in the schools. Abusing teachers, and other staff should not be tolerated on any level and should have a zero tolerance policy all the other hand, if a student protects himself from someone assaulting them I think they should have that right.
Lastly, I think we should stop dumping down our education system, because all that is doing is hurting our students. Not sure how the county can do that, but I will try..
