Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I am a Conservative Republican, elected to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

I have served as Chairman and Vice Chairman. During my tenure as Chairman, Gaston County realized one of the best economic recruiting years in it entire history.
 
Dole and National Gypsum announced plans to build and operate significant plants in the county, over a $200 million investment and many, many jobs.
 
I currently am a member of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, National Association of County Governments, I serve on the following Boards, The Gaston County Department of Social Services, The Gaston County History Museum, The Gaston County Healthcare Commission, The Gaston College Board of Trustees, The Gaston County Republican Party and a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gastonia, N.C.
 
I serve or have served in many other capacities for a number of organizations throughout our community including:  member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Michael's Parish, Parish Council and Education Commission at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Belmont, N.C.,Gaston-Lincoln Area Mental Health Board, The Gaston County Water and Sewer Study Committee, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Catherine's House, a transitional Home for women and children as well as a number of other organizations.

I have also been active in The United Way Campaigns and the local Chamber of Commerce of Gaston County.

It has been an honor to have served our citizens over the past decade.  Gaston County has seen it's share of ups and downs during this time.  We have experienced the loss of over 14,000 jobs in the early 1990's due to the closing of the textile manufacturing plants and many other businesses throughout our county.  During those years I have acquired a great deal of knowledge and experience which has helped me to understand and deal with the past two years of economic recession.  
 
Our county is the only county in N.C. that has reduced property taxes the past three years.  I am a fiscal conservative and have shown it.  I believe government is growing out of control and some real tough decisions will have to be made very soon in order to continue to operate.  I believe that government is non-sustainable with the direction it has taken and if things don't change it will bankrupt our cities, counties, states and the federal government.  Some are all ready there.
 
I am very much pro life, pro business, pro economic development and for a government that is transparent and allows it's citizens to see and hear what it is doing.  I have not and and will not operate in back rooms and deal outside the public eye.  I believe I am first and foremost a PUBLIC SERVANT and do not call myself and elected official.  Too many of those all ready.  I also am the only candidate that has advertised a personal cell phone number in newspaper ads.
 
In closing I would like to state that we need leaders that will lead, that will make tough decisions, that will be accountable and hold others accountable, listen and hear the citizens and that take this position seriously.