County Council Campaign 2012

Friends,

This afternoon, I filed my candidacy for re-election to an At-Large seat on the Boone County Council. I have very much enjoyed serving these past three years; it has been an incredible learning experience, and the knowledge and skills I have gained in that time continue to make me an increasingly effective advocate for my fellow-citizens’ fiscal interests. While I am just one member of a dedicated and diverse seven-member council, I am particularly proud of the contributions I have been able to make in three areas:

Fiscal constraint: Despite county revenue decreasing more than 25% over the past three years, the county has maintained its high levels of service without employee lay-offs or new taxes being adopted. While cushioning this blow has meant use of more of our reserve funds than I would like, those reserve funds remain healthy, and Boone County’s fiscal prospects are significantly brighter than nearly all our neighbors.

Economic Development: I believe that the best solution to our long-term revenue woes is aggressive, targeted growth of our tax base. Even in these difficult financial times, the county’s support of the Boone County Economic Development Corporation has continued to increase. In 2011 I became the Council’s representative on the EDC’s Board of Directors, and in that role I will continue to advocate for wise development of our county’s economic potential.

Government Accessibility: I was the chief advocate for the joint evening meetings between the Council and the County Commissioners, which now provide regular opportunities for residents around the county to attend and engage with their representatives in doing the county’s business at times and locations more convenient for them. Additionally, I continue to disseminate information on the Council’s activities through Facebook and through my website.

While I am pleased with our accomplishments, much work remains. I am excited, however, to tackle the many challenges which lie ahead. Several quality candidates have filed to run for the three At-Large seats, so the campaign for the May primary nomination will be a challenge in itself.

I greatly appreciate all the support and encouragement I have received to this point, and I ask for your continued support as I seek another term serving on the Council. There are many ways you can help me, if you are interested: forward this email to any Boone County friends; visit my website to keep up on what’s happening with the campaign; become a “Fan” on Facebook; let me know about public events I should attend; invite me to speak to groups with which you are affiliated; or just put in a good word with your neighbors. If you’re interested in hosting a yard sign as the election nears, please let me know and I’ll have one delivered in early April. And, of course, campaigns unfortunately cost money – any contributions to support our effort would be gratefully welcomed.

Thank you for your support and friendship. I would love to hear from you as I strive to be a good representative of your interests in county government. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns or questions.