*Age: 40

*Occupation: Sales

* Education: Bachelor of Arts in history, Augusta State University

* Family: Wife of 17 years, Renee, son Michael “Tres,” 13, son Matthew, 11, daughter Lillian Grace, 5

* What do you think is the one most important issue facing the city and how do you plan to address it through your role on the City Council?

I have said for a long time that the taxation burden falls far too heavily on the citizens of our city. Currently, 60 percent of the city’s revenue comes from personnel and property taxes. If we continue this disproportionate allocation, our services will shrink, and Holly Springs will not be an attractive place to reside. We have to continue to drive more commercial and business professional expansion into the city, which will help significantly reduce the burden.

When looking at the economic expansion, we have to be smart about how we grow. The city is currently working on the downtown project. This new focal point will keep the small town feel that Holly Springs is known for while introducing a vibrant new city center.

The city is also opening up to additional retail spots that are, and will be located outside the downtown area. From Home Depot to Walmart, these shops bring jobs to the city, and once again will reduce the disproportionate tax burden on our citizens.

n What makes you the most qualified person for the position that you are seeking?

My service and leadership make me uniquely qualified to continue to serve as councilman. The experience that I have as not only an elected councilman, but as a volunteer and leader for years within the city have given me the knowledge that is needed for such an important position. Over the past eight years, I have served as the chairman of the Holly Springs Centennial Committee, I have served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, and I currently serve on the Downtown Development Authority. Each of these positions has introduced a new facet of how the city works, and what it takes to lead the city into the future.

I have also served my community outside the city. I work with young kids coaching at East Cherokee Baseball as well as currently serving as an assistant coach to the Sequoyah Junior Chiefs Baseball program. I have been actively involved with Cherokee FOCUS, working to find solutions for at-risk families and children within Cherokee County. And most importantly, I serve my parish family at St. Michael the Archangel Church.

* Do you support the type of development, including the Walmart set to open within Holly Springs in the next two years, that the city is moving toward? Why or why not?

I do support new retail and commercial expansion into the city. As mentioned, the development of the downtown area will bring a vibrant new focus to the city. And, the introduction of Walmart outside that downtown area will bring new revenue to the city that will reduce the personnel and property taxation burden that our citizens face.

As a former member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, I was part of a team that made sure that all future building and development conformed with strict standards. The last thing we want is for our city to be consumed with inconsistent zoning and unattractive buildings. We will not have either of those issues with the new construction coming to the city.

* Holly Springs is a growing area. As the demand for services increase, how do you propose to keep taxes down?

As mentioned, the only way to keep and or increase services without raising taxes is to introduce more commercial and retail opportunities to the city. Retail is important, and we hear a lot about it, but there have been a quite a few medical professionals that have moved into the city over the past couple of years. From the Northside Holly Springs facility to the multiple independent medical professionals in the city, Holly Springs has become an attractive place for medical professionals to practice.

Bottom line: to stay relevant, and to have a fiscally sound future, we have to grow. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I will make sure we grow responsibly.