Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I have been a resident of Catawba County since birth. I grew up and still live in the Claremont/Conover area of the county. My education includes graduation from Bandys High School, a B.A. in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Juris Doctor from the District of Columbia School of Law and a Masters Degree in Christian Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. 

During my college years I met and married Bobby Franklin from Burke County. Bobby and I were married for two years before he passed away tragically from an acute illness. 

After my husband's passing, I decided on a path for my life and that path lead me to become involved in helping those who could not help themselves. I began working with persons with disabilities and fell in love with the field. I then pursued a job with and am currently employed by Vocational Rehabilitation where I put young adults with disabilities to work. In the evenings, I work for a private therapy group where I am a group therapist. 

Over the past few years, I have become disillusioned over the way tax payer money is being spent and the outrageous unemployment rate in the county. So, being a concerned county resident, I decided it was time for me to try to make a change with new, fresh ideas.

Candidate Statement:

There are four main areas that I would like to address if elected as County Commissioner.

First of all, one of the concerns of every person in the county is being taxed and the money being wasted. I propose that the county budget be audited to discontinue wasteful projects and projects that are not as important or pressing as getting people back to work in this economy. 

Secondly, I believe that the county should not give incentives to businesses without the business being a viable investment for the county. For example, one business currently receiving 49 million in incentives and tax breaks is only bringing 50 jobs to the area and few if any of the employees are from Catawba County. There must be mandates put in place so that these businesses use a percentage of county workers to build/ retrofit structures and maintain full time employment at the facility to receive incentives and benefits.

Third, we must put people back to work. As mentioned above, monies saved through discontinuation of wasteful spending could be used to put people back to work. The money from the budget could be used in coordination with money currently given to local colleges to begin internship programs that will give the students hands on experience and make them attractive employees. These internships should be provided to those people who have lost their jobs due to outsourcing and are returning to school to learn a new skill. 

Finally, to foster small business growth, the Unified Development Ordinance needs to be repealed to remove crippling restrictions on land use within the county. Without the UDO, small businesses would have a better chance of succeeding.

If elected, I would use common sense and lend a new perspective to the County Commission.