Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

It was nearly three decades ago that our family arrived in Cumberland County on military orders for a three-year tour. We stayed to raise our three daughters, and make this community our home. We are proud that each of our children received their K-12 education from the Cumberland County Public Schools. 

Before coming to NC, I practiced law in Texas -- mostly in the fields of tax, business, and estate planning.  After settling into Fayetteville, I decided to put my advice to the test, and founded two retail businesses.  Computer Solutions of Fayetteville grew into a million dollar a year sales and service operation with a substantial military contracting base.

My husband, Harlan, retired from the military after 22 years of service, and has been a science teacher at Cape Fear High School for the past 17 years.

We have both found many opportunities to become active volunteers in our community through church and civic organizations. 

I was President of PTAs at Max Abbott Middle School and Terry Sanford High School, and Academic Letter Awards Chair at FTS for several years.  I co-founded the Junior Tennis League of Fayetteville, and served as Tournament Chair of the $10,000 Fayetteville Challenger on the WTA circuit, and as a member of the Professional Tennis Management Advisory Board at Methodist College.

I served on the FO Community Advisory Board, as a member of the Fayetteville Museum of Art Task Force, chair of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Transit Task Force, and attended the Citizen’s Police Academy.

Other recent efforts include joining a successful grassroots effort to bring more effective judges into our DWI courtrooms; advocating for the incorporation of the town of Eastover; campaigning for the Fayetteville curbside recycling program (with rollout carts); against an ethanol plant in an inappropriate location near residential neighborhoods; and for a sustainable future for Festival Park.

Our county has the second highest crime rate, the 7th highest effective property tax rate, and the second highest sales tax rate in the state. We are bleeding opportunities across our county lines.

Over the past several years I have spent time attending public meetings, work sessions, and briefings at every level of government.  I understand the difficult challenges facing our community.  I also understand that we must expect more of our leaders in order to build a community that our children will come home to.

We need leaders who understand that government has a responsibility to provide basic infrastructure and services, as well as a healthy environment for growth and development.  Number one on the priority list should be a safe community, and I support immediately expanding our jail capacity.  Lack of space currently mandates a "catch and release" policy for most of those arrested on felony charges.  We do not currently have enough pre-trial detention space to keep our community safe.

Last year's property revaluation and "revenue-neutral" tax rates were simply not honest with taxpayers.  We need Commissioners willing to stand and ask the tough questions at budget time. 

Governing isn't easy.  It requires hard work, integrity and good common sense.  I believe that these are qualities I have demonstrated throughout my personal and professional life, and that will allow me to bring a fresh perspective to the challenges and opportunities our community faces.

We must work together to incorporate the collective strengths of our community into effective strategies for growth and development.  Those who have invested their lives in our community should be encouraged to continue providing new jobs and growth.

We need to think enough of ourselves to aggressively pursue better government, and a better living environment for ourselves.

This is not the time for business as usual.