Campaign Phone
7272480395
Education
BofA Southern Illinois University
Professional Experience
In Flight Career for 34 years
Public Service
8 years serving on The Planning Committee
I have served Madeira Beach for eight years on the Planning Committee, working hands-on with growth, zoning, and community needs. I am actively involved in city functions and well known to residents and staff for my institutional knowledge and collaborative approach. I previously ran for commissioner and narrowly lost by two votes, strengthening my commitment to serve.
First the biggest challenges facing Madeira Beach is managing the rebuilding and construction still taking place across the city. The focus should be on coordinating that work carefully, enforcing building standards that meet code, and ensuring new development fits the long-term needs of the community while limiting disruption to residents.
The second challenge is shaping Madeira Beach’s long-term future by finding the right balance between tourism and quality of life for residents. I support thoughtful growth that protects our community character, supports local businesses, and ensures residents’ voices guide policy decisions.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton placed an extraordinary burden on both residents and city staff, and I believe our employees did the best they could under very difficult circumstances. Going forward, we can apply what we’ve learned to strengthen coordination, improve internal processes, and better prepare for future storms.
A key focus should be working more closely with FEMA to clarify requirements, including challenges created by the 49/50% rule, and advocating for flexibility where possible. Improving communication, streamlining permit review after major storms, and providing clearer guidance to residents will help families recover and rebuild more efficiently while reducing frustration during an already stressful time.
I would do more research on the issues before making any commitments one way or another. Any proposal to eliminate or reduce property taxes needs careful study before commitments are made. Property taxes fund essential city services, and changes at the state level could significantly impact Madeira Beach. I would want a clear understanding of the proposal and any alternatives for replacing lost revenue before taking a position, with the goal of protecting core services residents depend on.
Florida’s home rule gives cities the flexibility to address local issues while the state provides guidance. Local leaders often know their communities best, and giving them room to act within clear state guidelines helps ensure solutions fit local needs while keeping policies fair and consistent across the state.
Our town has very limited land areas that has not been developed, so the land is not really available to allow for more low income properties.
I would continue to pursue the issue of having it completed ASAP.
Campaign Phone
4109711010
Education
BS Degree - Salisbury University
Professional Experience
Small Business Owner since 2001
Public Service
Over one year Madeira Beach Planning Commission / 4 years Madeira Beach Board of Commissioners
As incumbent District 2 Commissioner, I'm asking for your vote to complete key initiatives from prior terms. I offer informed perspectives on balanced budgets, staffing, and smart growth. Madeira Beach (<4,000 residents) hosts 3M+ visitors annually; we must balance tourism without overburdening locals. My wife and I are excited to rebuild alongside neighbors. This shared experience fosters deep empathy and sharpens my focus on city services to support community recovery.
Post-Hurricane Recovery, Flood Mitigation & Redevelopment is Madeira Beach's top challenge. Heavy redevelopment overwhelms the understaffed Building Department, forcing reliance on contractors for essential roles.
Economic Development & Parking is critical. The city's 4.56-acre purchase on Thomas Stuart Causeway is its largest ever investment. The Commission must turn it into a revenue generator: enable 6-pack fishing charters (currently blocked by parking shortages). Include wide paver walkways lined with shops/restaurants, central open space for events/playground. Revenue from pad leases + parking fees. Avoid on-site garage (20-25% land waste); build one instead on adjacent marina property
"You can't fight Mother Nature" but you can prepare.
The city has compiled lessons learned and updated manuals/strategies. Existing contracts enable moving/storing equipment inland and rapid road clearing of sand/debris for resident access.
Many single-family homes elevated to FEMA standards, easing Building Dept. burden. Week-long power outages are unacceptable.
Priorities: Lobby for grants to harden infrastructure—underground power lines, reimagine stormwater, elevate roads.
City excels with daily walk-in permitting/inspection/floodplain help, but lacks transparency: Publish average building permit wait times.
Must comply with FEMA 49/50% rule—non-compliance risks losing federal/state grants and raising homeowners' flood insurance costs.
While I support the elimination of property tax from homestead properties (HJR 201) especially for our seniors (HJR 205), the city’s largest revenue source is ad valorem taxation. State proposals reduce this without full elimination; cities would struggle if lost revenue were not replaced (directly or indirectly) by the state.
We need to quickly increase parking revenue. New garages at Johns Pass Village, and near the City Marina should make parking revenue the top source, shifting burden to tourism to support city services.
Revenue is half the equation: The $3 million public safety budget (Fire, EMS, Police) stems from 3 million plus annual visitors. Tourists should reimburse the public safety costs they generate through a bed tax.
Local municipalities absolutely need to control topics like short-term rentals and land development. A broad-brush approach from the state interferes with the community’s ability to maintain residential neighborhoods and to strive to develop our city based on the adopted Master Plan. Every beach community has a unique identity. What works for other communities might not work for Madeira Beach. The state needs to limit their influence.
As I mentioned earlier, if a community has higher public safety expenses due to tourism, they should be able to assess a fee to rentals to offset this expense. There is no question that our Fire, EMS and Police staffing needs are directly based on tourism.
Due to high property values, low income and workforce housing would require high density zoning to be financially viable. As a beach community with high tourism, I expect that all parcels within the city zoned for higher density would be developed for tourism as the highest and best use. Given the small footprint of our city, I expect that the city workforce commute from our neighboring inland municipalities.
All permits are pulled and dredging will begin any day now. I do support the extension of the jetty on the north side of the pass to prevent sand from filling the pass so quickly.
