Position/philosophy statement
NC
Current Occupation
Retired and Part Time Driving Instructor
Age (optional)
68
Campaign Phone
9195480433
With 16 years of local governance on the Goldston Town Board and a lifetime in Chatham, I offer a unique blend of historical perspective and proven leadership. I successfully spearheaded the Goldston sewer project, demonstrating my ability to navigate complex infrastructure challenges and build community consensus during "tumultuous" times.
As a retired professional and current driving instructor, I travel our roads daily, giving me a real-time understanding of our growth. I possess the skills to tackle multifaceted problems like affordable housing and environmental stewardship with a "Workforce First" mindset. I am a guardian of our resources and a champion for our schools, dedicated to restoring the legacy of trust that Chatham deserves.
The most critical issue facing the Commission is balancing rapid industrial and residential growth with the preservation of Chatham’s rural character and resources. With major developments like Wolfspeed and VinFast bringing thousands of jobs, the county is at a tipping point.
Over the next two years, the Commission must tackle the "multifaceted problem" of affordable housing to ensure our workforce can live where they serve. Simultaneously, they must protect our water supply and farmlands from being overwhelmed by this expansion. My experience in Goldston proves I can navigate the "tumultuous" side of infrastructure while prioritizing the legacy of trust and environmental stewardship our community expects.
While the Board of Education manages daily operations, the Commission holds the "power of the purse." The most effective role I can play is that of a strategic funding partner and advocate.
I will suggest:
Competitive Teacher Supplements: To recruit and retain the best educators, we must ensure our local salary supplements keep pace with neighboring counties.
Capital Improvement Planning: Investing in modern, safe facilities—like the renovations needed at our older community schools—to ensure every child has a 21st-century learning environment.
The "Housing-Education" Link: By addressing affordable housing, we directly support our teachers' ability to live in the community where they work.
To improve Chatham’s economy, I will propose policies that move beyond just attracting "big industry" to focus on sustainable, local wealth creation:
Small Business & Agritourism Support: I’ll propose streamlining permits and providing grants for small businesses and family farms to diversify into agritourism, keeping our rural economy vibrant.
Localized Workforce Training: I will advocate for deeper partnerships between our high schools, CCC&TI, and new industries to ensure Chatham residents—not just commuters—get the high-paying jobs coming to our area.
Affordable Workforce Housing: Ensuring our workers can live here keeps their tax dollars in Chatham, fueling a circular local economy.
Satellite Service Hubs: I’ll propose expanding physical service access in underserved areas like Goldston and Bonlee. Residents shouldn’t have to drive across the county to access health or veterans' services.
Mental Health Partnerships: I’ll advocate for increased funding for mobile crisis units and school-based mental health counselors to support our youth and families directly.
Senior Stability Initiatives: I’ll propose expanding home-repair grants and transit options, ensuring our aging population can stay in their homes safely and with dignity.
Competitive Staffing: To improve quality, we must offer competitive pay to social workers and health staff to reduce turnover and ensure consistent care for our most vulnerable neighbors.
In closing, I am not just asking for your vote; I am asking for your partnership. My campaign is built on the belief that the best solutions for Chatham County don't come from a textbook—they come from the community. I offer more than just a resume; I offer a lifelong commitment to the land and the people I love.
I understand that we are living through a period of historic change. But as I look at my granddaughters at Bonlee Elementary, I am reminded that our responsibility is to be good ancestors. We must be the leaders who had the courage to plan thoughtfully, the heart to house our workers, and the wisdom to protect our natural resources.
I will bring to the Commission the same transparency and "kitchen table" integrity my father practiced. I am ready to do the hard, multifaceted work required to keep Chatham a place where every family—whether they’ve been here for five generations or five months—can thrive. Together, let’s build a future rooted in trust.
Position/philosophy statement
If our current strategy is not delivering the desired results, we must be open to explore new ideas.
Current Occupation
Home Renovations - Provides Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing
Age (optional)
31
Campaign Phone
9196192373
I currently serve on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. I have served since 2020. I also serve on the County's Board of Health and on the Board of Trustees of UNC Health Chatham Hospital. I am committed to ensuring that my community has the resources it needs. Prior to that, I served on the Chatham County Planning Board for 2 years.
I live in Siler City, NC, which is predominantly Latino and has the county's lowest average income. I know of the community's challenges and needs. I raise issues the community faces and propose solutions.
I also seek, identify, and appoint young individuals to advisory committees to get them civically involved and to develop a habit that can be taught to others.
Chatham County is growing fast. Over the next two years, the most important issue to address is implementing our Unified Development Ordinance, which faces challenges under the state's prohibition on downzoning. Fortunately, we are already exploring options that other communities have taken to identify the best one for Chatham County.
Regarding issues that need more attention, housing affordability will be the major one. I have requested an affordable housing retreat, and we are in the planning stages. I have advocated that we look at the crisis from its root causes, rather than just add layers of social programming. We need to figure out what we are doing that is contributing to the issue and what we are not doing, and address it.
The most effective role is being a great partner to the Board of Education by supporting their efforts. I have supported and will continue to support our teacher salary supplement, teacher master pay, and collaboration in school infrastructure (improvements and new schools). I will also pressure the state to address the tiered federal/state funding system that leaves communities without resources due to Chatham's high average income. I have been suggesting that we take a closer look at creative avenues to create needed space due to anticipated population growth. For example, building a high school and repurposing the current high school to a middle school, and the current middle school to an elementary school. Instead of 3 new schools.
Chatham County wishes to diversify its tax base by attracting industry and businesses. Unfortunately, Chatham does not have an extensive public sewer system. I have been an advocate and will continue to advocate for extending sewer to areas desirable for growth and economic development. It will be more attractive to industry and businesses to expand to Chatham if utilities are present. We have challenges with land perking for septic tanks and a small treatment plan being too expensive.
I advocate that the county focus on programming that covers recreation, leisure, and tourism. This programming, when applied in towns and rural Chatham County, will attract a high volume of visitors to consume our goods and services.
The social program I am proud to have created is property tax relief. As with every investment, I want to be effective with taxpayers' money in addressing the challenges residents face. I believe it is critical that we assess each program's success in addressing the challenge. In doing so, we may identify programs that are best delegated to a non-governmental agency and serve as a partner. For example, United Way has a BOLD plan to get 2000 people out of poverty.
I want to help people "learn to fish," not just "give them the fish." I recognize that there are times when extending a hand is the best option. Also, I believe in expanding successful efforts and identifying the criteria that can be expanded to increase coverage/assistance.
I was elected in 2020 at the age of 25, making me one of the youngest elected members to the board. I also became the first Latino to serve on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, and am the only Latino on the board. I am now 31, married, and with a 7-month-old. My desire to serve you has been based on a goal to attract resources and opportunities to Chatham County. And as a father, that desire only grew.
I have been a supporter of education, conservation, housing affordability, and responsible growth. A growing challenge we face is the impact of funding cuts at the state and federal levels, compounding inflation, increasing costs, and an increasing demand for services. I support attracting the right types of industries to desirable areas in Chatham County in order to diversify the tax base. To do so, we need to extend utilities into the identified areas for economic growth. This will make these areas more attractive to investors as opposed to throughout rural Chatham County.
