PLATFORM
I have lived in Conover my entire life and have supported our city through a broad range of community involvement, collaborating with city leaders, citizens, and non-profits. My contributions were recognized by the city of Conover with the Outstanding Community Service Award (2008) and the Outstanding Citizenship Award (2018).
My experience owning and operating my own business has equipped me to understand the concerns of business owners and citizens and to be a trusted partner in addressing issues.
I will use the leadership, experience, and outstanding community relationships I have gained to bring a fresh, creative, and collaborative perspective to the Conover City Council.
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I believe the greatest tool a city has is communication. Communication is an indication that a city cares about its citizens and businesses. Communication tears down walls and builds bridges and is the oil in the engine that keeps everything running smoothly. I will prioritize communication, listening and conversing with our citizens and businesses, showing interest in their issues, and seeking resolutions.
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I would like to focus on attracting new retail stores to the old Kmart area, exit 130 off I-40. I believe Conover has a huge opportunity to generate visibility, job opportunities, and economic growth in this area of the city.
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I want to continue growing the Conover economy by attracting not only manufacturing, but other businesses and industries to our city. Continued revitalization and expansion of businesses uptown will create a vibrant community that will attract and retain younger citizens and families and create a sustainable city for our citizens for years to come
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT
Education
The schools in Conover include Conover School, Newton Conover Middle School, and Shuford Elementary School along with several child development centers. Having opportunities for local students to volunteer and gain real world experience is vital as they develop skills in the years leading to adulthood. I am interested in offering more opportunities to young people to engage in their local community and therefore raise up more leaders within our schools.
Diversity
I think it's important that a City Council represent the population it serves. As a female African American who has been a lifetime resident of Conover, working most of my professional career in the city of Conover, and raising my children in Conover I believe I can help provide a more perspective not currently represented on the City Council.
Transportation
Although there are many wonderful neighborhoods to house the citizens of Conover there are a few communities that lack access to some of our community's most vital resources. I am interested in finding new ways to engage those in our community who lack transportation to necessary resources. I also believe there are many opportunities to encourage citizens to walk and bicycle to local community resources and events.
Public Safety
I have seen great interest in my own community through the neighborhood's participation in the Neighborhood Watch and I am interested in growing the number of communities that participate. A lot of important city-wide concerns and information are shared in these meetings and I believe they are vital to Conover remaining one of the safest places to live.
Three words that currently describe me as a citizen of Conover and future member of Conover City Council:
1. Caring – always displays a sense of empathy and ownership regarding issues affecting Conover
2. Connected – focuses on listening to members of the Conover community
3. Consistent – continuously works hard to produce positive results for Conover.