As someone who has spent years working with the city and its citizens, I am in tune with how our people feel about our major issues. I have solicited input throughout my term, both online and in person. My views on the city’s major issues have been shaped by experience and the input of our citizens. I pride myself on the fact that citizens feel they can approach me at any time with a question, comment, or just to talk.

The role of a City Commissioner is to take recommendations from the City Manager and the various departments and make decisions that are in the city’s best interest. Many of these decisions are financial in nature and I believe that a complete understanding of the budgetary issues we face is a requirement for this office. I take pride in being well versed in not only our city budget, but how it affects our city employees and our citizens.

There are many other issues our city faces but I believe a critical thinking mindset must be utilized in order to make the best decisions possible. I would be honored to once again be given the opportunity to use my years of experience to help our city move forward.

Infrastructure

Overwhelmingly, the top issue in our city, according to most folks, is infrastructure. Like many cities nationwide, Ashland has aging water and sewer systems that result in service disruptions for citizens throughout the year. It was an honor to vote in favor of doubling our investment in our water line replacement project, both in 2021 and 2022. Our water plant continues to produce high quality water throughout our service area and major issues from years past have been remedied. Looking forward, we are moving forward with planning for our new wastewater treatment facility, which will vastly improve our system.

Opioid Epidemic

 Our citizens are struggling with not only the direct effect of drug abuse but also many other issues that come with it. We have a top-notch police department who ensures that Ashland is an incredibly safe place to live, but we must continue to focus on supporting efforts to prevent and also to rehabilitate our fellow citizens who are affected. This issue is extremely personal to me, having dealt with it in my own family. As a Commissioner, I have voted to support our wonderful nonprofits who are doing so much work to combat this problem, as well as support those looking to help be part of the solution by getting involved in prevention and/or rehabilitation. As part of the nationwide settlement with the makers of opioids, we administered the disbursement of over $400,000 to organizations on the front lines of the opioid epidemic.

Economic Development

Our area has been hit hard in recent years by the job losses that have resulted from companies leaving our city. As the fourth generation of my family to work at AK Steel/ARMCO so I understood how it felt when those facilities shut down. I have been fortunate to work in management for other large companies over the last ten years and I understand what it takes to attract new jobs. Aside from our workforce, we have a strategic logistical location with the river, rail, and interstate transportation modes that companies are looking for. We must continue our efforts to bring good jobs to Ashland. I have been proud to attend nearly 100 ribbon cuttings for new businesses over the last two years. Ashland has went from an attitude of loss to a brand new rejuvenated outlook. Our downtown revitalization efforts play a large role in encouraging future economic development, as well. The marketing and development of both AK Steel/Cleveland Cliffs properties will be a top priority, as it has been for the last year.

Revitalization

 Two years ago, I wrote about the efforts that were underway downtown and how hopeful I was for what we could accomplish. Fast forward to today, I can honestly say that we have done exactly what we said we would do. We have multiple new businesses, events nearly every week, small touches like string lights, and many other improvements throughout our downtown. We have also supported the revitalization that has happened in South Ashland as well. As we wind down construction on our project to revitalize Winchester avenue, we are so excited for the events and businesses that will be coming to downtown Ashland. but I am so encouraged by what the future holds for our downtown.