On the issues

Growth and economics

Mecklenburg County’s tax base is strong and growing and I was pleased last year to support a budget that both cut taxes and helped us better care for those who need help most. Our policies helped bring thousands of jobs to the county and supported economic opportunities for many small and large businesses. But growth brings challenges as well as opportunities, and we must be careful about what to expect from our government and approach all public spending projects carefully and openly. Everyone has a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and I will continue to be open and forthright in communicating with the public about county business.

Justice

Thomas Jefferson once said, “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” I share that belief. We must fight to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to fulfill their promise and to share in the American Dream. Elected officials must work to make sure that their actions and the actions of government employees reflect an understanding that we are servants of the public, and are here to help people, regardless of whether they are rich or poor, black or white.. The prophet Amos said, “Let justice roll down like waters in a mighty stream.” Making this happen is one reason I got involved in government and why I want to continue to be a public servant. Only with such a commitment can we build a fair and just community.

Responsible Government

I have consistently worked to be open and accountable as your at-large county commissioner. I have worked to be where I was needed and to be available to all of the people of Mecklenburg County. I have held more than 20 open meetings since being elected, in each of the six towns and all over the city of Charlotte, and look forward to continuing to hold these meetings. I have done my best to appear before any group or organization that has concerns about how our government works without regard for whether they have supported me politically or not. Despite our many accomplishments in making government more open and accountable, more must be done. I will continue to work to make our government more open to the people we serve.

Useful Disagreement

 I believe that politics is a necessary part of any successful democracy. Political debate is how we ensure that all sides of an issue are addressed and that all voices are heard. However, these disagreements should be useful. Attempting to divide people and groups for purely political gain is not useful and has no place in building a stronger community. Democracy is hard work and will only succeed as long as everyone has an equal say. For government to best fulfill its purpose, we need to find ways where compromise is possible if not always desirable. As governmental officials, we must work together, united on behalf of a stronger and better community.