Priorities

Our farmers are the backbone of our community. I will champion initiatives that promote local agriculture, expand farmers markets, and create farm-to-school and farm-to-table programs that benefit both producers and consumers 

I support responsible planning in Wythe County—to protect agricultural land, guide growth into appropriate areas, and preserve historic farming communities like Crockett’s Cove. It isn’t about red tape—it’s about responsible development, protecting what makes our community special, and building the county we all are proud to call home.

Education and safety go hand in hand. I support increased funding for public schools, competitive pay for teachers, and programs that ensure every child has the tools they need to succeed. I also believe in well-trained, community-oriented law enforcement that builds trust, ensures safety, and works collaboratively with residents.

The new George Wythe High School & Middle School complex is a huge win for our community. Now we must:

• Finish the new Elementary School in Wytheville,

• Fund upgrades at the Wythe County Technology Center to support skilled trades,

• Increase teacher pay to attract and retain excellent educators,

• Support affordable preschool and daycare, and

• Expand post-secondary options through Wytheville Community College.

East Wytheville is served by both the Town’s Police and Fire–EMS departments and the County’s Sheriff’s Department and countywide Fire & Rescue. These agencies do great work, but we need more coordination, investment, and transparency to ensure fast response times, adequate staffing, and cross-agency cooperation.

As Supervisor, I’ll advocate for shared planning and better shared funding so our first responders have the tools and personnel they need.

I believe everyone deserves a safe place to call home, right here in Wytheville where roads, water, sewer, and emergency services are already in place. Investing in public infrastructure alongside new homes for our teachers, nurses, and young families will help keep our community strong. The County and Town need to work together to make these investments a priority. 

We have a severe housing shortage in Wythe County, and it's impacting everything from workforce recruitment to population growth. Teachers, nurses, factory workers, and young families are struggling to find homes they can afford right here in Wytheville and Wythe County.

I support building more workforce and starter housing within the Town of Wytheville—where infrastructure like roads, water, sewer, and emergency services already exist. Wytheville is the main area of the county designed for growth. The County needs to actively partner with the Town to expand and maintain this infrastructure as housing grows, because this is where people want to live, and where it makes sense to build.

Solving our housing shortage is key to attracting and keeping the next generation and revitalizing our economy.

I believe every resident deserves access to affordable, quality healthcare. I will advocate for expanded local health services, support for mental health programs, and partnerships with providers to ensure no one is left behind.

Wythe County Community Hospital was built by our community and continues to serve under the direction of a local board. It’s a vital anchor, but it needs additional support and community direction. I’ll advocate for expanded services and continued partnerships, especially with providers like the Brock Hughes Medical Center, which plays a critical role in serving low-income, uninsured, and Medicaid-covered residents.

As Medicaid coverage is affected nationally and additional strain is placed on rural hospitals, we must ensure that no resident is left behind, and that care is affordable and accessible across the county.

Our parks and community spaces are vital for health, community, and quality of life. I will prioritize maintenance, safety, and accessibility in all public spaces, and invest in recreational programs that bring people together

From Town investments like the Wytheville Community Center to visionary County projects like the Reed Creek Blueway, we’ve made great strides in expanding access to recreational assets, but there’s more to do. I’ll advocate for:

• County investment in additional new parks/trails and existing parks like Ager Park,

• Maintenance and expansion of shared facilities like Withers Park and School Gyms, Athletic Fields, and Playgrounds,

• Expanded sports and recreation programs with greater county and town collaboration, and

• Renewed commitment to libraries and civic spaces that educate and bring people together while protecting communities around the county.

Government should work with the people, not behind closed doors. I will push for open meetings, accessible information, and regular community forums to ensure your voice is heard and respected in every decision.

Wythe County’s Board of Supervisors has too often made major decisions—including industrial developments—in closed sessions, sometimes under non-disclosure agreements. That’s unacceptable.

I’ll push for:

• Open meetings and regular public forums,

• Stronger collaboration between the Town and County,

• Community-driven budgeting process, and

• A government that listens to residents first.