PLATFORM

As you have read, my platform is based on economic and community development for the children and their families. If we take care of these responsiblities, everything else will fall into place.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

To attract industry and create jobs, our county needs the proper infracstructure. When I say infrastructure, I am referring to the tools and resources that a company needs to produce its products.

This means the proper technology resources, well maintained roads all over the county, a well-trained workforce, sites and buildings for relocation, and a variety of other resources that my office will work hard on everday.

The state economic development office lists no buildings and only one site, (which is not even located here), in Leslie County available for relocation of companies here. This is absolutely unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.

Naysayers have told me that we can never have any type of major development here because of our geographic location and proximity to major roads. To an extent, this may be true. But some forget about the coal trucks that travel our roads everyday and could be used by companies until we can widen certain areas of our roads. If we could attract just one company, we would have a better arguement for funding. Furthermore, there are  locations in close proximity to the Daniel Boone Parkway that need to be looked into.

While we work on infrastructure and roads, we could concentrate on technology companies that send their data and products electronically and thusly have no need for major roads to ship products. I would propose a program that would put a computer in every child's home in Leslie County. It would be funded by donations of computers by private companies and federal funding. This would let the technology sector know that we are serious.

My office will also work with the Small Business Administration to help our residents start or expand their own businesses. I have heard many great ideas. Small business is the backbone of our economy.

I hope to discuss these issues and many more regarding economic development in the future.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community development is not only an important part of the well-being of our people, it is an important part of attracting industry.

Many companies will just sit back and wait for the best offer. Many times good communities, senior centers, recreational opportunities, attractions, good fire departments, tourism, etc, play an important part in their decision. My office will constantly seek out funding for these important issues. I have spoken to some of you about the creation of new parks and the creation of an Elk Festival.

Our fire departments are probably the best success story of our county in recent years, because most of them have been almost totally self sufficient and they risk their lives for all of us for no pay. My office will work to reduce the financial strain for them, and work to find resources and funding on a daily basis.

As baby boomers get older, our senior and community centers will become even more important. We must make sure they have everything that they need to grow and expand their services.

These are just a few of the services that my office will offer. As you can see, if we can concentrate on development, everything else will fall into place.

If you would like to discuss any of these issues further, or have ideas, comments or suggestions, please let me know.

DISTRICT 3 SPECIFIC PROPOSALS

These are ideas I have and suggestions from some of you that I will work on everyday.

• Completion of county water system for everyone. When I say everyone, I mean not stopping installation of water lines in places where it is an inconvenience or where there is a conflict of interest regarding political views.
• Widening of roads in many of our hollows.
• Insallation of guard rails all over our District, before any more lives are lost. This is a major concern especially in the winter when our children, coal miners, and all citizens travel the roads.
• Construction of a flood wall at 'Sawhole', which is a major inconvenience during flooding and poses a danger as to slowing down emergency services in times of need.
• Parks and recreation areas in each corner of our District.
• Working with the state and Perry County in developing an Elk Festival and Hiking trail on 699.

These are just a sampling of ideas that many of us have already discussed, but unless I can get your vote, talk is just all it is.