Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What in your professional and personal experience makes you the best candidate for this position?
​
A: I am a proud Naval Veteran of 20 years, twice named Leader of the Year, and was entrusted a top security clearance. I have flown over 3000 hours and been on countless worldwide missions with maximum success to include responding to hurricane Katrina. As a civilian, I earned Boss of the Year at Revive in Time CPR and the Good Samaritan Award from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. My passion for helping others and proven leadership makes me a capable, neighbor and the best choice for Mayor.
Q: In the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton, residents have expressed frustration with cities not issuing timely permits, making errors when assessing damage, etc. How would you address these issues to ensure a rapid and resilient recovery to these and future storms? What can be done better to help people still rebuilding and assessing damage from the hurricanes?
​
A: In the wake of Hurricane Helene, I understand the frustration residents feel regarding delays in permits and errors in damage assessments. Ideally, the city should have had an emergency response protocol in place to manage these situations, including plans to deploy additional permitting technicians and building inspectors during times of high demand. As mayor, I would have already suggest to our council and administration to have an emergency response in place for recovery. This would have directed the city manager to proactively request temporary support from other municipalities or agencies to handle the surge in permit requests. With more qualified personnel available, the city could have processed incoming permits more efficiently during a critical period. This protocol will help people rebuild and assess more thoroughly in the future.
Q: How well do you feel your city did with respect to disaster response and recovery efforts for residents and businesses (communication, preparedness and evacuation support, safe water, shelter, clearing of downed trees and debris, restoration of basic services, etc)? How would you improve response for future storms?
A: I feel we can absolutely do better. The lack of response from our leadership during these storms plays a large part in my decision to run for mayor. The breakdown lies in communication and preparedness. The inconsistent communication with the public and preparedness were handled insufficiently leaving residence frustrated and vulnerable. Being a military veteran, I have personally responded to many natural disasters including Hurricane Katrina and have had the experience of responding proactively. As Mayor, I will work closely with my fellow City Council members and the Administration to ensure that the any required changes to City procedures that deal with improving post-storm response can be optimized. I also will be recommending to the council and administration to approve our outdated communication through multiple channels such as text alerts, social media and modernized city website.
Q: The state government has preempted local governments’ policy decision making power on school curriculums, environmental protection, housing, and other policy areas. What is your stance on this trend and the importance of local governments retaining authority to decide local measures affecting their community?
A: I believe local government plays a vital role in shaping the quality of life in our community. Seminole knows Seminole best, and as mayor, I will use the authority of the office to listen to the voices of my neighbors and fully embrace the responsibilities entrusted to me. As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Government is not the solution to our problem,” and I strongly agree. Beyond laws and policies, each of us carries a responsibility to uphold our community’s values and work toward the future we want to see. While I deeply value the role of local government, I value the voice of our residents even more.
Q: What do you think the top two priority challenges facing your municipality in the next 10 years. What specific actions would you propose to address these challenges?
A: City Hall relishes the fact that they haven’t changed the millage rate in 19 years. Yet, we have broken drainage pipes, flooding issues and structures that haven't been attended to? I am committed to making Seminole an even better place to live. I support smart, targeted investments that improve our roads, parks, and public safety ensuring every dollar strengthens our community and benefits every family. I believe in investing in Seminole today so that our city thrives tomorrow. Responsible funding will enhance quality of life, keep neighborhoods safe, and provide resources our families deserve. To maintain and enhance the services that make Seminole a great place to live, I support carefully planned investments in our infrastructure, safety, and community programs.
​