State Representative Dist. 15

Political Party: Republican Hometown: Tulsa Current Town: Eufaula Education: B.S.B.A.’s Management and Accounting Age: 74 Candidate Background: Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce BoD over 6 years. Currently on Vivian Rural Water Dist #6 BoD. Support all activities in the community and attend Council meetings. Started the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide free tax service, serving Eufaula and surrounding counties. Was appointed to the Oklahoma Broadband Board 2 years ago when it was formed. Lobbied for all grant money to remain in Oklahoma by funding local Co-Op’s infrastructure to guarantee fiber broadband internet to every rural home. I worked for The Williams Cos., IBM, and ONEOK. Adjunct Prof of Petroleum and Fundamentals of Accounting at TCC. When moved to Eufaula I immediately signed up to be a poll worker with the election board, 10 plus years ago. I am trained to work every poll position and have worked in almost every precinct in McIntosh County, including early voting. I have been voting for 53 years. Registered as a Republican. Honored to be a member of the First Families of the Twin Territories organization. My Grandparents met in Eufaula in the early 1900’s. (Ask me about the first Octoberfest in Tulsa).

1. Have you ever failed to pay any taxes or court ordered judgements?

No

2. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No

What are the top three messages of your campaign?

1. Transparency and accessibility between the Capitol and constituents of District 15. Regular community meetings addressing current legislation and impact to local communities must be instated. It is your money being spent and allocated at the Capitol, I want to know how you understand it should be spent. You, the citizens of District 15 give me the honor of representing you, I will lobby for your agenda, an agenda that benefits all of District 15, not just a few select individuals.

2. Local infrastructure. Top of the list for rural Oklahoma. We must recognize the need for small business economic development. Small communities will not survive without stable income to support local law enforcement, schools, medical facilities, roads and infrastructure, parks, affordable housing, Tribal interaction, tourism, and local business that in turn support the community through taxes. We need local medical support, more Physicians. A hospital and level 3 trauma center, to attract quality health providers. Fiber internet for tele-med medical support.

3. Local economics. Recognize the ranchers and farmers of the District. Support the “buy local” theme, maybe consider a local community grocery store. We must cultivate small scale manufacturing and develop regional supply chains that create good jobs and build local wealth. This does not change the iconic nature of a rural community but ensures its success in the future. Encourage the schools to develop local business platform that is sustainable for future generations to continue and learn from. Continue the search for small business or manufacturing to attract and retain local workers and local wealth.

What are the top three most pressing issues facing rural Oklahoma? How would you address these issues if elected?

Medical. Lack of rural Physicians located within the local community. The need for basic medical care acknowledged by a regional medical facility. Autonomy between a local Physician and a medical facility allows the Physician to determine best facility for patient advanced care. There is immediate need for local hospital/trauma center in Eufaula due to the lake environment. Advance conversation with medical centers to support a hospital/ trauma center in the area must begin immediately, without restrictions on Physicians.

Jobs. Attract and retain small scale manufacturing business with jobs that support the community. Encourage local business to expand more globally. Oklahoma has the only in-land water ports that reach globally, lets put our products on barges increasing productivity and creating more jobs.

Infrastructure. Streamline and simplify the process for small business to bid on government contracts and attract small manufacturing businesses that create good jobs to build local wealth. Be creative in business search. Partner with the school to encourage local student entrepreneurs to participate in community economic development. The more local wealth, the stronger the community.

Explain your positions on economic development as it pertains to rural Oklahoma in general and Eastern Oklahoma in particular.

Although it is agreed we want to keep rural Oklahoma thriving and retain its character, economic development of jobs, roads and bridges infrastructure, health care and facilities, fiber internet, affordable housing, farmer/rancher sourced market and packing facilities must all be addressed. Create small manufacturing jobs that are sustainable and offer personal wealth. The allocation of taxes back to counties for roads and bridges should be reviewed and increased. Work with health care partners to attract local Physicians and primary care facilities needed by the community. Absolute must is fiber internet to every home in rural Oklahoma. Necessary for tele-med, emergency needs and communication, work from home jobs, virtual learning K-12 and post-graduate education toward a degree. It is stable, not interruptible or bufferable, and gives new meaning to work from home personal wealth. Affordable housing in the community. Farmer markets and meat packing facilities as a healthy option for food. Oklahoma needs farmers/ranchers to continue generational wealth and keep ownership local. Economic development funding may be obtained through grants, working in concert with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission for leads on small manufacturing business or other sustainable business programs. This is how, as your House Representative, I will work for the citizens of the district and with the direction of the citizens through community forums and meetings.