"The first two years of my term were spent learning what I couldn’t do. It’s easy to come into a job like this thinking you can push through pet projects, but the reality is that the major concerns of the County take precedence, namely: taxes, roads and development. There are 3 Commissioners, and it takes 2 to form a quorum to get anything done. Some relationships have been more quarrel than quorum. Usually, you aren’t a chairperson for your first 2 years, but I have been chairperson three times. The job is 40 hours per week by statute, but it ends up being a lot more. It’s not a hobby!!

The current Board of commissioners is a focused and cohesive team, and we are managing responsible growth for this County and getting the most out of the roughly $13 million County budget and maximizing other funding sources. The future is bright for Broadwater County. There are several positive projects underway.

I’d say the greatest challenge is the disconnect between the powers and responsibilities of a County Commissioner compared to our constituents’ understanding of them. Commissioners have a fiduciary responsibility to protect our citizen’s hard-earned tax dollars. As Commissioners, it is our responsibility to not only manage this money but to protect it from legal liability. This is done by adhering to laws and regulations that can
dictate frustrating results for all of us at times.”