Following are the issues that I believe are most important to the citizens of the 15th Virginia Senatorial District as we approach the 2007 November election. "I welcome your questions, comments and suggestions for we must work
together if we are to build a better 15th District and Virginia."

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Economy

Some areas of the 15th District are experiencing great growth and a booming economy,  Most areas are not and we need to marshall our resources to recruit companies that have a history of giving back to their communities, of paying a living wage, and being good custodians of the environment.  While recruiting these new businesses, we should not lose sight of the existing businesses and do all we can to facilitate their success by providing low interest loans and training.  We need companies who view the 15th District as a place to plant roots and grow.

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Education

If we are to grow the 15th District economy, we need to invest wisely in public schools, vocational schools, colleges and universities.  We need to ensure that the students and teachers have the proper and most current tools.  We need to attract and keep the best teaching professionals by investing in competitive faculty salaries and state of the art facilities.  I strongly support Governor Kaine's plan of smaller class sizes, early childhood education, classroom technology, and increased teacher salaries.  We cannot afford to have our children left behind. 
We can do better!!

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Health Care

Large numbers of the 15th District citizens go out into the world everyday without the safety net of health insurance.  We need to develop a health system that provides citizens of all ages and economic levels access to quality, affordable health care and to do so without unduly burdening small businesses or individuals. (I know when I decided to retire at 62, health insurance took an unhealthy bite out of my modest retirement income).

We need to work to ensure reasonably priced, quality care for the disabled and elderly in the 15th District so that family savings will not be consumed in the process.  My parents always lived frugally and had earmarked their savings for nursing home care, but they still worried as their health declined in their later years. After my father's death, my mother's need for three years of assisted living, nursing home care and medical expenses ate up almost all they had managed to save in their combined 75 or 80 productive years of work.  I would consider my family luckier than most.  As a District and State, we must do better!!  

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Environment

The 15th District is blessed with some of the best hunting, fishing, boating, and camping areas in the nation. The areas are a great natural resource and a great source of pride and profit.  We need to place greater emphasis on preserving  our open spaces, the rivers, the streams, reservoirs and air quality.  We need to be vigilant and preserve the treasures of the District so that future generations will have the same opportunity as we do, to bask in the natural beauty of the 15th District.

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Farms and Towns

We need to support the farms and towns of the 15th District.  We need to work with the farmers to ensure a level playing field for the selling of all their crops. We need to invest in clean, efficient alternative fuels production and usage solutions.  We need to provide financial support to assist our towns as they work to repair and upgrade aging infrastructure.

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Public Safety

We need to ensure that the first responders in the towns and counties of the 15th District have the tools and training to respond and manage all types of emergencies.  We have a great corps of firefighter and rescue squad volunteers thoughout the District who not only respond to emergency situations but, are often called upon to raise the funds for improved vehicles and equipment.  As the price of providing ever more complex equipment strains the rural communities, we need to  assist these communities so that they are capable of providing for their public safety and welfare.

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My Responsibility to You

If you are a citizen of  the 15th District and happen to reside in Mecklenburg County, you probably have a reasonable chance of meeting with your current State Senator.  You have less of a chance of meeting your current State Senator if you reside in an adjacent County.  And you have almost no chance of meeting with your current State Senator in the northern most counties.  When elected, I will continue to reside in Mecklenburg County but, I promise to set up an office in one of the most central locations and to establish a schedule of  monthly visits to the communities, towns and counties of the District. 

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Thank you!!!