Our fire and rescue teams, law enforcement officers, and other first responders are the backbone of public safety in Warren County. These men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect our families, homes, and neighborhoods—often while working with limited resources. I know this all too well by growing up with parents playing a major role in Fire & Rescue and now having family in Law Enforcement, I understand what they go through.

For too long, our emergency services have been asked to do more with less. Low budget revenues have made it difficult to upgrade equipment, expand staffing, and provide competitive pay. We should not have to make a decision on whether to fund the paid individuals at Chester Gap Fire Department, this should just be done because we have the revenue to cover it. This not only strains our first responders but can also impact response times and overall public safety.

I believe that a safer community starts with strong support for those who keep us safe. That’s why I support smart, responsible economic growth—especially through expanding our tourism industry. By drawing more visitors to our region, we can increase local tax revenue without raising taxes on residents. This additional funding can help provide the tools, training, and support our emergency services need to thrive.

Growing our economic pipeline is about more than dollars and cents—it’s about investing in the well-being of every citizen. As your representative, I will advocate for both stronger support for emergency services and the economic development needed to fund them sustainably. Please refer to sections on Economic Development, Tourism and Taxes for more information.