Please click the links below to read my thoughts on the issues facing Athens-Clarke County voters.

Education
I am and have been a champion of public education my whole adult life. For Athens to remain economically competitive and help alleviate the cycle of poverty, we must cooperate with our school system to help send an educated, qualified and work ready citizen base, not only to the next level of higher education, but to the work place. Not every child will go on ot college; however, every child must be prepared for the future and be able to support themselves and their families with a sound education.

I have worked with our schools as a parent, a citizen and as a public official. As Tax Commissioner, I collected taxes for our school system as well as the county, state and our cities. Prior to my tenure as Tax Commissioner, our county's tax collection rate barely broke 94%. Under my leadership and management, it has consistently approached or exceeded 99%. Every 1% increase in our tax collection rate equals an additional annual $690,000 for our school system. This increased revenue has given our School Board the ability to hire more teachers, buy more books and better equipment. It has given them the tools to better provide for our children's education.

Throughout the years as a citizen, I have volunteered in various ways in our schools from being involved with and holding office in the PTA when our children attended our public schools, to giving presentations to classes on taxes and public affairs, to reading to classes or to painting faces during carnival days. I have always made supporting our teachers and our public schools a priority.

Our children are the future of Athens. We must look to the next generation not just the next election. As Mayor, I will work hand in hand with the school board and administration to provide our children with the best education available. Their future and our future depends on it.