VOTE411 Voter Guide

I want to build a city that is well-planned, financially responsible, safe and prepared for continued growth. My priorities: make sure infrastructure keeps up with development; protect taxpayers from unnecessary costs and bring more of our taxpayer dollars back to Hardeeville from the state capitol and Washington, DC ; improve roads and drainage; strengthen public safety; bring retail business that residents need; attract more health care professionals to our area and support local businesses. I want to bring a collaborative approach to the Council by listening to residents; asking the right questions; doing the homework and working with everyone who can move Hardeeville forward in a constructive way. Our website must become user friendly.

The Council must plan for growth before infrastructure becomes a problem by closely reviewing the city's capital improvement plan and annual budget, understanding where water, sewer, roads, drainage and public safety capacity will be needed and making sure major developments decisions are consistent with that plan. When new development is proposed, the Council must carefully consider the impact on existing infrastructure and taxpayers and ensure that appropriate infrastructure is added as part of the approval process. I am supporting proposed legislation that will allow the city to halt a project if it believes the development has not provided the requisite infrastructure. This approach will allow us to maintain environmental protections.

I would ask staff to identify what each agreement requires, what infrastructure has already been provided, what remains outstanding, and what the actual costs and impacts are today. I would first want to work with developers to find practical ways for them to address current infrastructure needs, but if necessary utilize available legal and financial mechanisms. Said another way, if working with a developer to find mutually agreeable practical solution fails, I will explore every lawful tool available to prevent taxpayers from being left with the bill for development-related costs. For any future phases and any amendments, I would insist that Council address all infrastructure and public safety issues before approval.

I would like to continue to move Hardeeville forward. As the only female, I serve on a very proactive Council and together we have achieved many things for our residents. I would like to manage smart growth effectively and protect the quality of life for everyday residents, bridging the gap between our historic neighborhoods and rapidly growing new developments.

I have been laser focused to hold Developers responsible, and I have concentrated on ensuring they contribute towards the infrastructure they strain. Growth must be paid for by those who are coming here, not by those who already live here. The broader interests of the taxpayer, not the Developer must be served. Jasper County passed the penny tax two years ago. This transportation sales tax program will give us the much-needed funds to not only improve major corridors in Jasper County over the next decade but also give us the funds to preserve thousands of acres of environmentally sensitive areas. I am very committed to this.

As a Councilwoman I look at what that Development Agreement actually says and what the Developer must address as the Project moves forward. That's how Ive approached drainage, floodplain standards and construction traffic. It should not be assumed that Development Agreements, old or new, leaves the city stuck with today's infrastructure costs. DAs are only part of the process and is multi layered. As they move through zoning review, master planning, engineering review, permitting and other approvals, the City evaluates the impacts and works to ensure the developers addresses the requirements applicable to their projects. I will keep pressing for the Developers to be accountable for the impacts of their Projects.

My priorities are safety, smart growth, and quality of life. As a local business owner, father, youth sports coach, and Planning Commission member, I understand how city decisions affect our community. I want to equip our first responders, keep infrastructure planning ahead of growth, and protect taxpayer dollars. I support attracting good jobs and services while protecting our neighborhoods and expanding parks, trails, and recreation for all ages. I will listen, ask difficult questions, and represent all of Hardeeville so growth improves life for the people who call it home.

I would support regularly updating our infrastructure plan with realistic growth projections, current costs, and clear funding responsibilities. We must evaluate development's combined impact on roads, drainage, utilities, and emergency services. Working with city staff, utilities, and county and state partners, I would push to coordinate improvements with growth. Protecting wetlands, maintaining meaningful buffers, and preserving green space must be part of planning from the start, especially near sensitive areas like the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Residents deserve clear updates on projects, funding, and timelines.

I would work with city staff and legal counsel to review each agreement, enforce existing obligations, and identify opportunities for negotiated updates. Using current costs and documented needs, I would seek developer contributions, direct infrastructure improvements, and construction timelines that address growth's impacts. When developers request changes, I would pursue updated infrastructure commitments as part of those negotiations. My guiding principle is that development should pay for the needs it creates. We must honor existing commitments while protecting taxpayers through firm negotiation, public review, and clear accountability for who pays and when improvements occur.