The infrastructure investments Lynchburg made to improve our downtown area took 20 years to blossom into a vibrant community with an active small business district. It is time for us to make the same, long-term investments in the people of Lynchburg. So many of our challenges are interrelated; they can be both cause and effect in a never ending, generational loop of despair. Poverty, crime, educational disparities, literacy issues, lack of social mobility, and a shrinking middle class are just some of the issues that act one upon the other.

If we want to create a city where all residents in all neighborhoods can not only survive, but thrive, we must make the investments now to ensure we are on the path to progress. We have the resources within our city to begin addressing all that ails us, but as has been often said; we are program rich and systems poor. Investments of our time, effort, and social capital can be better harnessed by community minded leadership on City Council.

  • PUBLIC EDUCATION

    I WANT TO ENSURE WE PROTECT AND PRIORITIZE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

    - Appoint school board members who believe in the value of the common good and a strong public school system

    - Prioritize school funding and teacher salaries appropriate to address our current challenges 

    - Ensure ongoing facilities maintenance issues are handled in a timely manner

    - Stop the budgetary micromanagement of paid professionals with decades of education experience

  • A community-centered economy

    AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I WANT TO BUILD A STRONGER, COMMUNITY-CENTERED ECONOMY

    - Continue to grow our entrepreneurial culture while supporting small businesses that are often left without access to resources

    - Actively recruit corporations that will benefit our community as opposed to those that will be subsidized by our community

    -Develop skill based career paths for every student that include easier access to colleges, technical and trades certifications, and self-employment 

    -Support opportunities for the growth of our local middle class and working class families and individuals

  • PUBLIC SAFETY

    PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPERATIVE FOR A COMMUNITY TO THRIVE. IT IS NOW TIME TO COMPLEMENT OUR CURRENT ENFORCEMENT APPROACH WITH A PREVENTION FOCUSED PLAN OF ACTION.

    - Acknowledge our high poverty rate and begin to develop long-term strategies to reduce it

    - Work towards quality pre-k education for every child 

    - Expand on existing, neighborhood-based mentoring programs so that all children and young adults can gain opportunities for growth and social mobility

    -Renewed focus on expanding mental health access

First and foremost, City Council must operate with the respect and professionalism our city deserves. Without this, any attempts to provide leadership will be nearly impossible. Our community can once again move forward on a path to progress as long as we do so with respect and professionalism along with the kindness, empathy, and compassion that allows people to believe we can do better and be better.