Commissioner

My Approach To Community Involvement

I believe the success of our neighborhoods depends upon a strong partnership between neighborhood leaders and county government and the collaboration of leaders with one another. As such we follow principles espoused in planner Bill Kercher’s books about “Character Neighborhoods”, “Character Towns”, and “Character Main Streets” (available from Amazon or the Orange County Library). His book outlines 5 principles of community planning. 

• Neighborhood Safety – The primary reason government exists is to keep citizens safe in their homes, neighborhoods, streets, and community.
• Neighborhood Economic – Neighborhoods are the major portion of a municipalities land and the generator of property and sales tax revenues. They should be safe, attractive, affordable, and accessible. Character neighborhoods are factors in the ability to retain and recruit businesses which pay adequate wages.
• Neighborhood Sociability – Complete neighborhoods give us a sense of belonging, continuity, ownership, and responsibility for the greater good. Neighborhood associations and residents are important agents to nurture their neighborhood’s social activities.
• Neighborhood Infrastructure – Character neighborhoods should have potable water, sewer, stormwater management, well-maintained streets & sidewalks, upgraded street lighting, and broadband. It is important that the area has a complete array of amenities, shopping, dining, medical services, transportation options, etc.
• Neighborhood Sustainability – Sustainability has many forms from environmental stewardship to high-functioning neighborhood associations.

I look forward to working with the Neighborhood leaders and individual residents to make District 2 all it can be.