Candidate Questionnaire

I have considered running for office many time over the years. I have served on the Board of Adjustments, Fire District Task Force and the Data Center Regulation task force in Oldham County. When some of our local officials decided not to act in our best interest, I was able to speak, present and fight for reasonable regulations. Many, many people asked me to run for Judge Executive. After in depth consideration, defining the principles I would emulate and specific research, I agreed to run. I will redefine the position of Judge/Executive.

My experience is based on being a CPA in both public and private industry. I learned continuous improvement techniques to improve performance and costs in many entities. I am now a small business owner and recently sold a second business to set myself up to be able to dedicate my efforts to Oldham County. I am not a candidate to just continue the same old ways and continue the good ol' boy networks. I have and will create coalitions to engage many other elected officials and cities within our county for the improvement of our community.

Did you support the WHP Data Center that was being considered for Highway 53?

No.

Did you ever express your opinion on Data Centers publicly? If yes, please share when and where. If you didn't, please explain why you did not.

As an individual, I filed an appeal with Oldham Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments. While I can be seen respectfully addressing Oldham County Fiscal Court a multitude of times, the June 19th 2025 Board of Adjustments meeting can be seen on the county website or on YouTube where I presented my case to protect Oldham County from this location.

Have you attended any public meetings when Data Centers were being discussed?

Yes; Fiscal Court meetings, Lagrange City Council meetings, Data Center regulation setting meetings and countless meetings with public and private officials.

Do you support hyper-scale Data Centers being permitted in Oldham County? Please select the answer that best fits your opinion.

The Kentucky State Reformatory property will be developed by the state. There are certain things they can do on the property with zero input from us. I plan to work with these state officials to make sure we have a seat at the table and get smart development that does not change the fabric of who we are. So the answer is yes, but ONLY in an area like KSR.

Do you support smaller Data Centers (not hyper-scale) elsewhere in Oldham County? Please select the answer that best fits your opinion.

Yes, but only in industrial locations.

Hyper-scale Data Centers are considered heavy-industrial businesses. Would you support hyper-scale Data Centers being permitted in IPD zones, which are currently zoned light-industrial?

No.

Would you support the county allowing Data Centers to be built on the Kentucky State Reformatory property?

The broader question is about what WILL be put on the KSR property. The Project Rover proposal is to put a huge automotive plant on that property. The state could put a power plant there - coal or nuclear. What is the best option? Based on many, many conversations and reflections, I believe the overwhelming majority of people of Oldham County do not want thousands and thousands of vehicles, hauling vehicles etc. that would change the face of our Quietly Amazing county forever.

If you get elected, how will you handle the Data Center issue going forward?

From the start (see the June 19th Board of Adjustments video) I have asked for reasonable regulations. No one expects to see over a million square foot business of ANY kind near their home. Put the regulations in place.

Would you support having a full, independent financial audit of the county to truly dive in to where all of our money is being spent and where we can cut back on expenses?

My CPA background will be what I lean on to review all expenditures personally. Under my leadership, there will be a whole new level of scrutiny on our county expenditures

Would you support or oppose the Louisville Water Company taking over our current water systems?

Absolutely not. We are well served by Russ Rose and the Oldham County Water District.

If recreational cannabis were legalized, would you support dispensaries being permitted in Oldham County?

No.

Many citizens have expressed frustration with a lack of communication from their elected Officials. What efforts will you make to be accessible and communicative with your constituents?

The HAT I plan on wearing is: H - HONESTY, the truth is the truth, A - Accountability, I will hold those in my part of government accountable and I expect to be held accountable, T - Transparent, I will ensure county government is more transparent than ever seen before. I will also hire a communications manager. We will regularly post information about what we have done, are doing and are planning on doing. We will educate on how the county functions, where tax dollars go and show so much of what we have available in Oldham County.

Social Media has become the "Town Square" of our society, with it being the primary way many citizens communicate with elected officials. If you utilize social media platforms, would you commit to keeping your page accessible to everyone? (ie., not blocking people, or limiting who can comment on posts.)

All stakeholders in the county will be able to express their ideas and opinions. Lets say someone works in Oldham county, but lives outside the county - they can speak at fiscal court, on social media, etc. They are a stakeholder. Any stakeholder in the future of Oldham County will have a voice in my administration.

What is your strategy to balance keeping Oldham County rural while also supporting economic growth?

Smart growth sets up reasonable regulations to allow for growth in the right areas and within specific zoning limitations. People need jobs, services (both public and private) and personal freedom. We have a mixed bedroom community and rural community with an eye toward development and growth. We have designated areas for development of business. Part of why I am here is because elected officials tried to let a multi-billion dollar development cloud their eyes with tax dollars instead of protecting us. I want growth in the right areas.

The state is planning to expand and re-route Highway 53 in Ballardsville, which is likely going to result in residents' property being taken through eminent domain. Do you support or oppose this project? Please explain your answer.

I hate this scenario. My grandfathers small farm in Kentucky was taken by the government. I support both property rights and reasonable regulations. I want the least intrusive option taken.

Our current Fiscal Court was reported to the Attorney General multiple times for Open Meetings violations. What will you do to ensure Open Meetings laws are followed?

I have a list of actions to be taken in the first day, month, quarter and year. In the first month, I will have a class for all that are subject to the Open Meeting laws. I will invite the city officials in our county to come as well. Lastly, I will invite all who have pointed out these violations so that together we can eliminate these frustrating and totally avoidable issues. If we do violate the Open Meetings Law, we will apologize and tell the community how this will be corrected. We will educate and work toward building trust and transparency.

Being an elected Official inevitably comes with criticism for decisions you make. How will you handle criticism from the public?

Criticism comes with the office. I will invite any person who respectfully disagrees for a discussion to find common ground when possible and agree to disagree when not possible. I promise to seriously consider all view points. Additionally, I know that disagreement is inevitable, but I will show respect even when agreement does not occur. I can be passionate and I must be professional. If I make a mistake, I must own up to it and apologize.

If you discovered that a member of Fiscal Court or a county employee had an ethical and/or legal conflict of interest, what would you do?

I will be as transparent as possible - always. I must also not subject the county to legal action by my actions, so I will obtain legal advice to use proper judgement and corresponding actions when personnel matters are involved. People will be held accountable. We will emphasize the proper rules, laws and ethics.

If you could pick the ideal use for the Kentucky Reformatory property, what would it be?

The state can do several things with the property with no input from Oldham County - but not just anything. As Judge/Executive, I would reopen the currently closed lines of communication with the Governor and the Secretary of Economic Development to be able to represent Oldham County. My current discussions have led to a simple request from the state - more to come. Let me be specific. With as much as 1,000 acres, there could be concentric semi-circles that would have industry that anchors closest to the road and power lines. This would be away from housing and schools. The zoning intensity would reduce as the partial circles move toward the northwest corner. The far northwest corner would be recreational in nature. What we must do is put together a plan that allows for everyone to win with compromise. What we absolutely do not want is the state to utilize the power lines running through the property and the rail running next to the property to put a giant power plant near Lagrange and Oldham County High School. I have heard some JE candidates say the entire property would be recreational. This is more than naive - it is unrealistic and foolish to pretend this is even possible. Jeff Noel, the Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, who is the leader of state initiatives for business growth, investment and job creation has said "The Kentucky State Reformatory Property is one of the most prime areas for development in the entire state of Kentucky." I personally heard these words from him in a face to face conversation. So we must meet the state officials where they are and acknowledge what control they have and what control we have in Oldham County. Together we can come up with a plan that meets their desires and ours alike.

If elected, list the qualities you would look for in applicants for the appointed positions you'd oversee- such as Deputy Judge, Library Boards, Board of Adjustments, etc.

With over 200 hundred appointed positions at the Judge/Executive's discretion to nominate, this is a great question that few have asked, but I have thought about. At the base level the person must be intelligent and with high character. They must agree that service to our neighbors is critically important. They cannot have a conflict of interest in the role they are being asked to fulfill. They must listen first, speak second and know how to build consensus, yet stand up and defend their position if they are in the minority.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Thanks for putting this together. There are several key platforms and initiatives that will be a part of my administration and leadership in Oldham County. Here are some of those: Reduce the tax rate for the portion the Fiscal Court controls "Let Grandma stay in her home" property tax initiative for most vulnerable elderly Training: Government as a Service Organization Make Drivers License available in Oldham County Transparency: Communication as never before seen in Oldham County Non-profit creation; "Friends of Oldham County..." to let residents help residents And more.....