How long have you been a resident of Clarksville?: 63 Years
Occupation: Carpenter, Vice President of H and H Home Improvement Inc.
Education: Clarksville High School (1973)
Previously held elected office: District 1 Town Council – 3 Terms
Endorsements: Clarksville Republicans, Clarksville Pastors, Crossroads Community Church Board of Elders

Why did you decide to run for this office?
“I chose to run for office in District 1 to bring honesty and integrity to District 1 on the Town Council. Having a solid set of core values, I felt the decisions I would make on the Council would come from a heart for community and a lifetime of doing the right thing in difficult situations. I feel like I have been part of many good things that have taken place in Town.”

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the Town of Clarksville, and what would you do to address it if elected?
“Actually, I fear Clarksville is losing its community. Too many apartments or old homes being cut up and turned into apartments has created a transient society with little regard for community. People come and live for a few years then leave without really knowing what it is like living in a Town like ours. I know things change but our Community is our history and our identity in the future. Some multifamily projects are already in process but for now we are hitting the brakes on apartments!”

What are your goals for the office?
“One goal would be to surround myself with likeminded people that are Community driven. Character is sometimes contagious. If voters put honest people in office, they will yield the results of those honest and wise decisions. Another goal would be to continue to support and stand behind the Police and Firefighters that protect the Town. Our emergency responders are under collective bargaining contracts and are compensated well with the top benefits package in the region. Along with Police and Fire it’s equally important that the Town’s other departments are treated fairly with cost-of-living increases to maintain a quality of life standard. Like Police and Fire, all departments in the Town enjoy top of the line benefits packages. As always it is a goal of mine to fill the empty box and smaller vacant spaces.”

What experience do you have that makes you the best candidate for the position?
“I’ve always been involved in my community. Having been raised by Christian parents, I was taught to do the right thing. My parents lived it, I saw it, and I know it works. Having a solid value system has afforded me a “”common sense approach””, a “”don’t spend more than you make philosophy”” and a “”Trust in the Lord and He will make straight your paths”” promise. At 22 I started coaching little league and did so for 15 years before moving on to assistant High School Coach in Baseball and eventually landing in Fastpitch Softball as Head Coach at Clarksville High School for 17 years. My ability to Lead and administrate landed me on the Board of Elders at 1st Church of God in New Albany for 4 different terms. I have taught Sunday School for 20 years at my church and served on various local boards and commissions.”

What do you think is the most important skill someone needs to fill the office you are running for?
“First of all, I feel like someone needs to be well rounded in knowledge of the community and not focused on one single issue. When I ran for the first time, I felt I could make a difference Town wide and not just because I had a financial interest that I wanted to protect. Being a born and raised Clarksville resident gives me a sense of pride in our community. I think one should go into all decisions with the best interest of the Town in mind, not personal gain. That would be a skill that would be the very most important to do the job at hand.”

What distinguishes you from your opponent?
“Well, I guess the obvious national platform issues exist. Being a Republican, I am pro-life, I believe climate change is cyclical, our borders should be closed, we should be energy independent, and so on. Locally, I can only assume that my opponent is running in District 1 because he owns many rental properties and is trying to protect his interest. The Town recently adopted a Rental Inspection program that would hold Rental property owners responsible for maintaining their property and keeping it in accordance with Town standards. It is a program that gives a renter an avenue to live in a home that has been inspected and certified to be up to code and safely livable. This seems to be a distinguishing difference between us.”

If there was one thing that you could change about the Town of Clarksville, what would it be?
“Fewer apartments and more owner-occupied residences. Once again, this would develop a sense of community because of the investment. Business would take care of itself. Taxes would take care of their self. Crime would take care of itself. Schools would take of their self.”