TRACK RECORD FOR SUCCESS

During my tenure as County Commissioner, I am proud to have being able to work and affect policy in the following areas:

• SCHOOL BONDS

I formed a coalition that negotiated and passed the School Bonds with an overwhelming vote of 9 to 0. Because of this effort, the people of Mecklenburg County approved the bond referendum by a wide percentage and now the school system has embarked on an ambitious program of building schools where they are needed the most -- areas that have experienced major growth and overcrowding.

• LEADERSHIP

In our recent debacle of the Sheriff’s selection by the Democratic Party, I was able to lead fellow commissioners to a satisfactory solution to appoint an individual that demonstrated the integrity, qualifications, and the confidence of the entire community. We face security threats at home that continue require our local governments to work together on emergency management issues. I am dedicated to improving the way that we communicate with all our citizens, including those with language barriers, in times of emergency.

• HOLD THE LINE ON TAXES

From the onset I worked tirelessly to contain the runaway train of exorbitant taxes. By working together with the fellow members of the County Board of Commissioners I developed a plan to lower County taxes after revaluation equivalent to the amount of the taxes previously paid.

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

I fought to establish an Economic Development Committee within the County Board of Commissioners. Serving as its chairman, I was able to push initiatives attracting new businesses to the county as well as retaining some businesses that were ready to leave due to the tax burden and lack of attention from local Government.

• CARBON MONOXIDE PROTECTION

After the now infamous ice storm of December 2002 when hundreds of citizens were transported to the hospital victims with carbon monoxide poisoning, I moved quickly to revise an old ordinance to require all rental dwellings to have carbon monoxide detectors.

• INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TASK FORCE

As a direct result of the ice storm emergency and looking ahead to future emergencies, I proposed to establish this task force to help the international community in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area receive emergency messages and instructions quickly in their own language. This was achieved by using members of the Emergency Preparedness unit (who represent almost all nationalities) to disseminate the information.

• HEALTH FAIRS

With the help of my fellow commissioners I was able to fund and implement health fairs several times a year serving the community that can’t receive medical help because they lack health insurance or are unable to pay.

The health fair offers services in preventive medicine and dentistry. Specially equipped vans can perform mammography exams, as well as tests for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS, etc.