About Me
I am a native of Russellville, Kentucky, and earned a bachelor’s degree from WKU and a master’s degree in land use planning from the University of Tennessee. Most of my professional life has been spent in planning (23 years) and economic development (6 years) for city and county governments. During a career break that began in 2009, I returned to WKU to earn bachelor's and master’s degrees in economics and worked for five years as an analyst for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
In 2018 I returned to planning when I was appointed Planning and Development Director for the City of Elizabethtown. In late 2022, I moved to the Senior Planner position so I could reduce my work hours to improve my health and begin a transition to retirement. That change proved to be a very good personal move, but the philosophy and direction of the City’s planning and development department changed significantly. I left after a year and a half when I could no longer tolerate the new direction.
Although a Kentucky native, I was not blessed to be born in E’town. However, it quickly became my home after moving here and I feel a greater connection with this community than with any other in which I have lived, even my hometown. I could have moved anywhere else when I retired, but E'town is my home. Since it is my home, I want to continue serving the public and making a contribution to the community’s future. Serving on the City Council is the best way to do that.
My experience provides insight the other City Council candidates do not possess and it goes beyond my obvious planning and economic development work. I served as a department director for three cities which provided exposure to issues like spending, taxation, and transparency -- issues the Elizabethtown City Council needs to address. Also, working for and living in other communities gave me the opportunity to see how other city and county governments address issues and whether they were successful.
From a more personal perspective, I am hands-on. I mow my own yard and perform other yard work. I raise a small garden each year. I am renovating a bathroom and bedroom in my house and, like most folks, it's taking longer than it should. I do these things to stay busy, save money, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment.
As a retiree, I am much like the average E’town resident. For more than two years I have lived primarily on my savings, not a trust fund, inheritance, or pension. I have to pay the full price for health insurance, which has risen dramatically. Despite that, I still pay significant medical costs out of pocket. I'm a three-time cancer survivor, so health insurance is a necessity. My home was reassessed last year, resulting in a 30% property tax increase. I feel the pressure of dealing with the rising costs that you deal with. I have always been frugal with my money and I will be just as frugal with the City budget. After all, that is our money.
