04/08/2026
I was asked a series of questions today by a fellow citizen of Vine Grove. After lots of thought, I replied:
Vision
What’s your top goal for the city?
I want Vine Grove to get back to being a cohesive city where the people in charge genuinely care about what’s best for the town—not themselves.
What hasn’t been handled well before?
The budget. In a small town with a roughly $8,000,000 budget, going over budget seems insane to me. Where is all that money going?
What does success look like to you?
Success isn’t about money. If I cared about money, I wouldn’t have enlisted in the Army or opened a small automotive repair shop that undercharges for its services.
To me, success is being remembered for how many people you’ve helped—not how much wealth you’ve accumulated.
How would you spend money differently?
I would look for every possible way to save money. I’d identify programs that drain the budget and cut them. I also have connections with experienced people across different industries who can help determine whether the city is getting fair pricing on projects and services.
What would you cut if needed?
I don’t yet know exactly where all the money is going, but I am actively requesting records to find waste. What I can say is this—unnecessary spending, like a $63,000 pickup truck for the mayor, wouldn’t happen under my leadership.
How will you grow the city without raising taxes too much?
By making smart infrastructure decisions. That means not using cheap materials that fail early and oversizing things like drains and sewer lines so future growth is already supported.
⸻
🚔 Safety
How will you reduce crime?
By keeping the town from growing out of control. Big-city crime tends to follow population growth. If we keep the town manageable, we help keep crime manageable too.
Also, thanks to the great work of our VGPD officers, our town is already a safe place.
How will you balance police and community trust?
I have strong relationships with many of the officers, and I trust their professionalism. That said, I want to increase community-based activities so residents can interact with officers directly and build trust for themselves.
Do mental health services play a role?
Absolutely. Mental health matters. While I can’t promise a city-funded program right now, I do believe people need access to healthy outlets and support.
⸻
🏠 Housing
How will you make housing more affordable?
I would work to limit large corporations and real estate groups from buying up residential properties within city limits, prioritizing ownership for individuals and families.
Growth or preserving neighborhoods—where do you stand?
Preserving neighborhoods. I grew up on Long Island, where overdevelopment wiped out the woods and replaced them with cookie-cutter neighborhoods. I don’t want that happening here.
How will you help people struggling with costs?
There’s only so much the mayor can control, but I will focus on lowering city expenses so taxes don’t keep rising. I’d also look into renegotiating utility contracts and exploring better rates.
⸻
🛣️ Roads & Growth
What’s your plan for traffic and roads?
I will not allow hazardous waste to be transported through city limits.
Every road repair will include a warranty. If the same issues come back, the company responsible will fix it again—at their expense.
How will you handle growth?
We need to slow down the destruction of farmland and forests for development. Too many decisions are driven by short-term profit.
At the same time, we should build infrastructure that can handle future demand.
What changes will people actually see?
Transparency. I will make it a priority for residents to know exactly where their tax dollars are going—without having to ask.
⸻
📚 Community
How will you support schools?
I don’t know how much authority the mayor has over schools, but where I can have input, I will advocate for common-sense policies and accountability.
What will you do for kids and families?
We need more community involvement across all age groups.
Instead of outsourcing projects, I’d like to get kids and teens involved in improving the town—things like community art projects or murals.
For teens, we could create safe, structured events—like supervised driving courses in partnership with law enforcement.
For seniors, I’d like to create ways for them to stay involved, such as transportation to local games and events so they can stay connected to the community.
How will you connect with the community?
By being present, accessible, and transparent—making sure people feel heard without needing to jump through hoops.
⸻
🌱 Jobs
How will you bring in jobs?
We need to make Vine Grove more business-friendly. Right now, additional taxes—like the 1% “temporary” tax—make it less attractive for small businesses. That needs to be addressed.
I also want more transparency when commercial properties become available so everyone has a fair shot—not just a select few.
What businesses do you want here?
A variety of businesses would benefit the town. Something like a Walmart Neighborhood Market or a larger sit-down restaurant would be great additions.
How will you support fair wages?
The city can’t control wages beyond minimum standards. But I believe overregulating wages can push businesses to reduce jobs or automate positions, which hurts workers in the long run.
⸻
⚖️ Leadership
How do you handle criticism?
I’ve dealt with criticism my whole life. I take it with a grain of salt and focus on letting my actions speak for themselves.
What’s a tough decision you’ve made?
I gave up my active-duty Army career when I became a single father. I continued serving in the Kentucky Army National Guard for over 10 years while raising my child.
How will you stay honest with people?
I don’t know how to be dishonest. I believe in being straightforward and accountable.
⸻
🤝 Personal
Why do you want this job?
I’m tired of seeing people in positions of power abuse that trust for personal gain. I want leadership that puts the community first.
What makes you qualified?
I may not come from a political background, but I bring real-world experience—Army service, single parenthood, and running a small business.
I understand responsibility, hard work, and accountability.
What do people get wrong about you?
People often underestimate those who choose service over college—especially veterans in roles like infantry. But that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
