VOTE411 Voter Guide

I am running for Mayor because while we have major projects programmed and funded for the next two years, we must have a vision and plan for future needs and projects. We must not only prioritize what Kingsport needs most, but also identify funding sources and partnerships available to make them happen. I'm the candidate with the most experience at all levels of government who can work side-by-side with the city management to make things happen. As longtime chair of the Audit Committee, I understand our financial picture, a critical qualification to get things accomplished. I have operated a successful small business for over three decades, worked with citizens in every neighborhood, and volunteered with numerous non-profits.

I've served as an Alderman since 2013, Vice-Mayor since 2019, Sullivan County Commissioner for 4 years, and served for 10 years on the Kingsport Planning Board. I have volunteered with numerous non-profits and served on many community boards. I know the needs of our neighborhoods intimately, ensuring responsible governance and effective communication with citizens. I'm broker/owner of Blue Ridge Properties and have been a realtor for 32 years. I've worked with buyers, sellers, and individual looking to locate to Kingsport. I understand what citizens are looking for in a community. I don't always say the popular thing, but I always do my research to reach an informed conclusion. Everything I do has our city's best interest at heart.

I've served as an elected official since 2013. I've served with both the city and county. This gives me a better understand of how the government works and how we can work together better in the future. Serving on the Planning Board for 10 years provided me a wealth of knowledge on zoning, planning and code enforcement. I currently serve on Visit Kingsport Board, Bays Mountain Commission, BMA Audit Committee, Friends of Allandale, and am a charter member of Rotary Club of Kingsport-Sunrise. As a small business owner, I understand the demands of balancing growth with budgets, and I want to see Kingsport stay in a strong financial position. Our school system is one of our best tools for economic development. I believe in Kingsport.

I am not running for mayor because I think I have all the answers, but throughout my career, I have seen the citizens of Kingsport do great things together when servant leaders bring everyone to the table and lead a thoughtful discussion about our community’s future. I would like to do that again.

My journey to this point has been unique. I was raised on a family farm, worked my way through school as a janitor, and became the first college graduate in my family. I then worked shifts at the Kingsport Press, earned an MBA, and retired as a VP at Eastman. My experience also includes working with the Christian Medical & Dental Associations and serving as a church deacon, past president of the Board of Education, and now serving as alderman.

I understand and appreciate people regardless of their social status. Kingsport deserves a mayor who will talk to everyone. I have served as president of two local civic clubs the Optimist and Rotary clubs. Serving in those positions indicate my ability to lead when peers have placed confidence in me. Therefore, both professional and personal experiences have made me a better person capable of leading Kingsport over the next two years.

I want to “Make Kingsport Great Again”! The prior and current leadership of Kingsport cannot get their vision for Kingsport’s future focused. I have stated “good Politicians are proactive and bad politicians are reactive”. Kingsport’s reactive failure can be summed up in three words “Bass Pro Shop”. This short-sighted, reactive, failure cost Kingsport residents' jobs and Kingsport tax revenue. After the Bass Pro Shop debacle came the Ballad Healthcare Monopoly disaster, another utter failure by reactive politicians. I have a plan to rid Kingsport of this disastrous FAILURE. Always remember these three words-MOMOPOLIES ARE BAD. I will work hard to ensure government overreach is not causing issues that affect the citizens of Kingsport.

Thirty years ago I ran for mayor of Kingsport, the youngest person to run up till then, running for office resulted in me staying involved in local politics. Involvement-caused me to attend BMA meetings to hold the elected members feet to the fire and ensure they keep their promises to the citizens of Kingsport. I have served on the mayors advisory committee-I have served as president of the Lynn Garden Optimist Club- I have been a member of the Kingsport Kiwanis Club where I served on the governmental affairs committee and lead fund raising yard sales for the club. I believe I am the person to lead Kingsport back to its rightful position as leading city in the Tri-Cities-not the Appalachian Highlands. I want to MAKE KINGSPORT GREAT AGAIN.

First and foremost-I AM NOT A SPECIAL INTEREST REPRESENTING CANIDATE I have only one entity and one group I want to answer to, that is the city of Kingsport and its citizens. I believe the most dangerous issue facing Kingsport is the Ballad Health Care Monopoly. I realized no incumbent candidate has the backbone to stand up to the monopoly or both are in the Ballad Healthcare Monopoly's back pocket. Without an elected official willing to put Kingsport first. Kingsport will continue to be the bottom city in the Tri-Cities. Special interest representing Kingsport elected politicians will continue to kiss the liberal rear-end of Johnson City. When Bristol was building jobs Kingsport was building sidewalks. I will MAKE KINGSPORT GREAT AGAIN.