MY POLITICAL IDEAS

Development:

·       Recognize the inevitability of development and the need for healthy growth.  A supervisor’s job is to wisely manage development for the good of the entire community.

·       Build infrastructure, beginning with road networks, as the initial portion of development projects, rather than after development.

·       Aggressively pursue funding of infrastructure for residential development through CDAs, Community Development Authorities.  This will enable us to build the infrastructure before homes are built.  Residents of new communities will pay back these bonds at special tax rates which they can plan for before making their house purchases.

·       Consult with developers and businesses to ensure quality projects throughout the Bermuda District, with an emphasis on the revitalization of the Jefferson Davis Corridor. 

·       Actively participate in the comprehensive plan to ensure Bermuda District is not overburdened with multi-family housing units.

Taxes:

·       Avoid misrepresenting a reduction in the real estate tax rate as a tax cut, when assessment increases far outpace the rate cut.  The board has cuts rates, but it certainly has not cut taxes.

·       Initiate a rollback tax rate, which is the rate that would exist if the rate adjusted downward as assessments rose.

·       Allow that rollback rate to only be adjusted upward for inflation, population growth percentage, and any specifically identified expenditures (such as a new library or more police).  These new expenditures must be explicitly laid out for the public.

Schools:

·       Continue to work diligently within the educational structure for high academic standards and good discipline in schools.  This has been a priority of mine for many years.

·       Work hard with the School Board to accelerate a solution to overcrowding at Thomas Dale.

·       Ensure Bermuda District improvements in the last bond referendum are not put off due to the increased cost of replacing Clover Hill High School.

Business:

·       Continue efforts to attract new businesses to the County.