Married with three children, all under 8 years old.
Undergraduate: Shippensburg University - 1984 B.S. Speech Communications
Delaware Law School of Widener University - 1989 J.D.
Occupation: Lawyer - Consumer Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation, Residential Real Estate and Commercial Leases

Levy Court had not been responsive to its constituents. The counties explosive population growth was not being managed. Schools, roads, emergency medical services and water supplies were not keeping pace with development. People wanted a new direction for county government. They wanted to maintain the quality of life they enjoyed. They didn’t want it compromised on behalf of special interest groups. They wanted checks and balances. 

Democracy requires active citizens and political contests to function properly. My family and I feel very blessed in life and when we were approached by the democratic party we felt that this was an opportunity to give something back to the community. So we decided to take on this controversial topic. We felt that we could make a positive impact on our community. We wanted our children and their children to have a great community to grow up in. We did not want it to slip away.

2. What do you believe are Kent County’s three top issues and what would you like to do about them?

First, uncontrolled growth is a big problem. Schools are overcrowded and the referendums used to raise the money needed to build new schools are not being passed. We have unacceptable levels of traffic. We have longer and longer response times for EMS and State Police. Some areas being developed may not have adequate water supplies.  To address these issues I will vote in favor of laws that regulate growth. Laws that provide common sense checks and balances. Laws that measure school capacity, road capacity, EMS response times and water supplies. Laws that facilitate development when the infrastructure exists and deny it when it does not. These type of laws are commonly called Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances. I am in favor of the four APFO's. They should have been enacted years ago. 

Second, keeping growth in the growth zone is important. Putting developments where the infrastructure exists is cost effective. It reduces pollution by cutting down on vehicle driving times. It reduces sprawl by providing higher density and more affordable housing in designated areas.

Third, environmental stewardship is necessary and will only become more important as our population continues to grow. Storm water management needs to be re-evaluated. Natural treatment and organic filtering systems should be used prior to direct discharge into natural bodies of water. The storm water management ponds being used in developments need to be addressed.  They quickly become algae ridden, unsightly bodies of water.

We need to get serious about recycling now. Those that recycle should get a credit, not a bill.  Those that do not recycle should be penalized.

Connecting to central sewer is the better choice. On site septic systems and RIB systems certainly add more pollution to our water table than do central sewer systems.

Lastly, economic development needs a push. With the introduction of the Center for Critical Zone Research at the University of Delaware we could concentrate on environmental research and technology. We need to attract more companies that perform research and development of reusable energy sources like solar, wind and non fossil fuels. We should attract companies that perform research, develop and manufacture products from recycled goods. We need to encourage reforestation and timbering. A renewable product that has the added benefit of scrubbing carbon monoxide from the air. As we know Delaware’s air fails EPA standards.

4. The county recently approved a surcharge on building permits to aid local schools. Do you think this is enough, or should the county charge developers an impact fee?

The facts are that the surcharge is expected to generate at the most $4,000,000 annually to be split among the six county schools districts. The failed October 2006 Smyrna referendum was for $94,000,000. It seems self evident that this ordinance will not do much to alleviate the school overcrowding crises. The surcharge needs to be increased to address the 40,000 lots that are ready to be built that will not be affected by the APFO. The APFO will only impact developments filed for approval after it’s passage. The APFO is a form of impact fee and should be passed.

Affordable housing is a problem in Delaware. It is not confined to Kent County. I see it every day in my consumer bankruptcy practice. Couples working multiple jobs to make mortgage payments and make ends meet. It’s very rare to see families with a single breadwinner afford a nice home. I believe townhouses and condominiums within the growth zone will help to provide affordable housing. Additionally, there are a number of State programs offered through the DSHA that help first time home buyers. The county also waives the real property transfer tax for first time home buyers.

I look forward to working with Jeanine Kleimo, when elected to the House of Representatives.  She has tremendous experience in affordable housing. I also look forward to discussing housing issues with Senator Tom Carper. He has been a real advocate in this area and a help to me in my campaign.

I was compelled to enter this race because of my belief that the county was heading in the wrong direction. I want to get us back on track. I believe we should develop responsibly. That we should actually look at the impact five 200 home developments being built at the same time will have on our schools, roads, EMS and water before we actually add the 1000 new homes.  I have talked with thousands of voters in my district and they too are upset that the Levy Court has not been responsive to their requests for controlled growth. For adequate schools, roads, EMS and water.

My opponent has ignored the infrastructure issue until now, the eve of the election. He has not listened. I have listened and I have the political will to act for the best interest of all county residents. I will be proactive, not reactive.