Age: 57
Residence: St. Cloud
Local board/agency background: While I have not served on an advisory board, my career in public service required me to work alongside City departments, regional partners, community organizations, and residents on a daily basis.
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Why do you deserve to be elected to the open seat in this race?
St. Cloud isn’t just where I live, it’s home. My family has been part of this community for nearly 50 years, and I dedicated over 35 years of my life to serving its residents through the St. Cloud Police Department, retiring as Deputy Chief. Throughout my career I worked closely with every City department, managed budgets, led major projects, and helped make decisions that affected our community every day.
I believe our City deserves leaders who understand how local government works, who will ask tough questions, listen to residents, and make decisions based on facts rather than politics. My experience gives me a unique understanding of City operations, public safety, budgeting, and the challenges our community faces.
What do you feel are St. Cloud’s three most pressing problems?
Managing Growth & Infrastructure: St. Cloud continues to grow rapidly, but our infrastructure has not always kept pace. Roads, utilities, schools, and public safety services must be planned before development, not after. I support responsible growth that protects our quality of life while ensuring new development contributes fairly to the infrastructure it requires.
Traffic Congestion: Traffic has become one of the biggest frustrations for residents. We need better long-term transportation planning, coordination with state and county agencies, and road improvements that anticipate future growth instead of reacting years later.
Fiscal Stability: With discussions surrounding the possible elimination of property taxes, cities face significant uncertainty. Regardless of what happens at the state level, St. Cloud must continue providing police, fire, parks, roads, and other essential services. I will advocate for responsible budgeting, careful spending, and long-term financial planning that protects taxpayers while maintaining the services residents depend on.
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According to a University of North Florida poll, Floridians say housing affordability is their top issue. What are your solutions for dealing with St. Cloud’s affordability issue?
Housing affordability is a difficult issue with no single solution. We need an approach that encourages a variety of housing options while ensuring growth does not overwhelm existing infrastructure. The City should continue working to attract higher-paying employers, expand local business opportunities, streamline permitting where appropriate, and encourage thoughtful residential development that includes a range of housing choices. We also must carefully manage taxes, fees, and City spending so local government does not unnecessarily increase the cost of living for our residents.
Please vote yes or no on the constitutional amendment to slash property taxes and explain your position:
No.
While everyone wants lower taxes, eliminating property taxes without first identifying a stable replacement for local government funding creates significant uncertainty for cities like St. Cloud. Property taxes help fund essential services including police, fire, parks, roads, and other critical infrastructure. Floridians deserve a clear, sustainable plan explaining how these services will continue to be funded without shifting the burden elsewhere or reducing the quality of services residents expect.
This Voters Guide was produced by the News Collaborative of Central Florida, a collective of independent local news outlets and aligned partners working toward a more informed and engaged Central Florida.
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