Issues

Responsible Budgets

Fiscal responsibility is paramount to ensuring Cherokee County’s long-term health and prosperity. I will advocate for responsible budgets that prioritize smart spending, eliminate wasteful expenditures, and ensure our tax dollars are used efficiently. Crucially, this includes safeguarding and preserving essential funding for our beloved libraries, social services, and parks. These vital community assets are not luxuries; they are cornerstones of education, recreation, and quality of life that enrich every resident and foster a stronger, healthier community.

Holding Developers Accountable

Responsible growth is vital for Cherokee County, and that means holding developers accountable to our community’s standards and vision. I am committed to ensuring that all new developments adhere strictly to zoning regulations, environmental protections, and infrastructure requirements. This isn’t about stopping progress, but about ensuring it’s smart, sustainable, and benefits current residents by demanding transparency and prioritizing community input in every project.

Enhancing Public Safety

A safe community is the foundation of a thriving community. My commitment is to enhance public safety across Cherokee County by ensuring our first responders – our police, firefighters, and EMS personnel – have the resources, training, and support they need to protect our families and property. This means advocating for competitive compensation, modern equipment, and strategic planning to address growth, so that every resident can feel secure in their neighborhoods and throughout our county.

Improving Infrastructure and Traffic Flow

As Cherokee County continues to grow, it’s critical that our infrastructure keeps pace. I am committed to improving our roads, managing traffic congestion, and ensuring our county’s vital infrastructure is robust and modern. This means strategic planning for future needs, advocating for state and federal funding, and implementing smart solutions to alleviate bottlenecks, enhance road safety, and ensure efficient transportation for all residents, making our daily commutes smoother and our community more connected.

Block Data Centers

Preserving the character and resources of Cherokee County is paramount, and that includes carefully evaluating industrial developments. I am committed to blocking the proliferation of data centers in our county. These facilities often demand immense amounts of electricity and water, straining our existing infrastructure and potentially driving up utility costs for residents. Furthermore, their massive, windowless structures and constant cooling fan noise can negatively impact the aesthetic and peaceful quality of our communities, while offering very few local jobs in return. We must prioritize developments that truly benefit our residents and protect our natural resources, not those that consume them without meaningful community return.

Preservation of Green Spaces

Throughout my life, having lived in various communities, I’ve personally witnessed the profound and tangible benefits that come from intentional efforts to preserve green spaces. These areas are more than just undeveloped land; they are vital for our quality of life, offering essential recreational opportunities, supporting local wildlife, improving air and water quality, and enhancing the overall beauty and character of our county. I am committed to strategic planning and common-sense policies that protect and expand our natural areas, ensuring Cherokee County remains a beautiful, healthy, and vibrant place for current and future generations to enjoy. 

Civic Engagement

Effective leadership in Cherokee County means ensuring that all major decisions are made with the broadest possible understanding and input. That’s why I am committed to fostering stronger collaboration and communication between the Board of Commissioners, our Board of Education, and our city governments within the county. Decisions made in isolation can lead to unintended consequences and missed opportunities. By actively engaging with these vital organizations, listening to their perspectives, and integrating their insights, we can ensure that county-level policies and projects are well-informed, avoid duplication, and ultimately lead to the best possible outcomes for all our residents, our schools, and our communities. 

• Coordinating infrastructure improvements with our cities
• Making sure neighbors are planned where the school system can handle the children

Real Tax Relief for new Families

Let’s face it, raising a family is expensive, and families in Cherokee County need all the support they can get. That’s why, if elected, I will propose eliminating the county sales tax on essential baby needs. This means providing direct financial relief to parents by making items like baby food, diapers, car seats, bottles, and formula more affordable. This common-sense measure will help ease the burden on household budgets, allowing families to keep more of their hard-earned money and invest it back into their children and our local economy. It’s a tangible way to show our commitment to supporting the youngest members of our community and the parents who work tirelessly to care for them. 

Reduce Utility Bills

As we look to the future, it’s clear that sustainable and affordable energy solutions are vital for Cherokee County. I advocate for increasing our use of solar power, recognizing its potential to provide cheaper energy for our residents and businesses. This initiative presents a unique opportunity to strengthen our local economy. With companies like Qcells, a leader in next-generation solar panel manufacturing, located just up the road and employing some of our own Cherokee County residents, we have a direct pathway to collaborate. By embracing solar, we can work together to bring innovative, affordable energy solutions to our county while simultaneously supporting local jobs and fostering economic growth right here at home. 

Housing Affordability

Housing affordability is a growing concern for many families in Cherokee County, making it harder for people to find stable, affordable places to live. To help address this, I propose implementing a progressive property tax on multiple private homes owned by corporate investment firms (ie BlackRock). This means that entities owning more than three private residential property would pay a slightly higher tax rate on their additional homes. The goal is to discourage speculative buying that drives up housing costs and to potentially free up housing stock for families looking for a primary residence. Revenue generated from this measure could then be reinvested into local initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing options and supporting our community’s housing needs, ensuring that Cherokee County remains an accessible and welcoming place for everyone.