The best example of my vision and commitment to a project is Valdese Lakeside Park. Seven years ago, I founded Friends of the Valdese Rec, an all-volunteer non-profit to help the Town of Valdese acquire 300 acres on Lake Rhodhiss…

I recently recorded the audio for my new radio ad on WSVM. You can hear it here.

I attended the groundbreaking for the Regional Skilled Trades Solution Center at WPCC today. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC and other trades will be taught. This falls in line with my vision of Live, Work, Play and STAY in Burke County. The…

In 2019, I was appointed to the NC Parks and Recreation Authority by NC House Speaker Tim Moore – and I continue to serve today. As part of a 9 member panel, we award matching grants to local governments for…

I first visited Valdese Rotary Club in 2015 as President of Friends of the Valdese Rec to talk about the Valdese Lakeside Park project. I loved the Rotary mission so much that I never stopped attending meetings. I have served…

I was asked why I am in favor of small to medium sized businesses. Because they become a part of our community. Kellex Seating is one example, it started over a garage and now employees 150 people in Valdese that…

I am a member of the Draughn High School Leadership Team which is made up of school administration and department heads, along with parent and student representatives. Attending monthly meetings keeps me up to date with school priorities and allows…

The WPCOG February Newsletter reported that over 50% of Burke residents who work do so in other counties. Adding up the numbers in their graphic, Burke County has approximately 3500 more people leaving the county for work than coming in.…

As President of Friends of the Valdese Rec, I organized a trail maintenance workday this morning at Valdese Lakeside Park. Since the land was acquired in 2018, I have managed over 2300 volunteer hours. The project has been going on…

I attended a meeting with representatives from NCWRC, State Parks, State Trails, F3ST, FCNC, and Burke County. The NCWRC owns property north of the Linville boat ramp and will be doing reforestation work. This means they will replace the commercial…

I serve on a state wide coalition that worked with legislators to include funding for state trails in the state budget. With that, each state trail was assigned a nonprofit – one being Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail, for…

I attended the Burke County Republican Party Convention today. It was a great event – and a chance for me to remind you — I will be on the Republican ballot for the primary. If you are a registered Republican,…

Yard signs are available!! We deliver or you can pick up at Zimmerman Realty at 204 E Main St, Valdese.

Volunteer firefighters are the leaders of their communities! To learn more about their work, Monday evening, I attended the Burke County Firefighters Assoc Meeting at Lake James Station. Tuesday evening, I attended the Chesterfield Fire Rescue Meeting.

My son, Zakk, is part of the NCSSM Online program. He has weekends on the Durham campus, which means a hotel and food for me – this is our third trip this school year. The list of benefits of having…

I attended the Burke County Commissioners meeting Tuesday night. I have been to 6 regular, pre-agenda or budget meetings over the past year. If elected, I want to make sure I understand the processes and hit the ground running to…