10/23/2023
Below are the questions from Sun News with my corresponding answers.
Age: 62
Past/present elected office: I served as an officer on the Board of Directors, Sunnyfield Estates, Brooklyn Park, MD for 15 years. My main assignment was to organize and plan activities such as holiday events and Earth Day environmental projects: planting flowers/trees; cleaning up community common areas and collect recyclable items for charities with the neighborhood children.
Occupation: Retired FBI of 37 years
Education: Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, MD; Certified Contract Officer Training School, Washington, D.C.; and Certified FBI Academy Trainer.
Political affiliation: Surfside Beach election regulations do not permit identifying a political affiliation.
Past/present bankruptcies, tax liens or felony convictions: I do not have/had any past/present bankruptcies, tax liens or felony convictions.
1) Has the pier rehabilitation project been mishandled?
The Surfside Beach Pier is several million dollars over budget with a low-interest rate bond of $4 million. The pier contracting company has not received any delayed fees for missing multiple deadlines. Town Council should collect all backlog fees due to the pier project delays from the contractor. The pier bond should be paid in full prior to any further major town projects. The Pier Committee should have their findings heard by the council and residents to incorporate the profitable suggestions on behalf of the town.
2) How would you restore trust and transparency with constituents who have raised concerns over those issues during the past months?
My goal is improving communications by open dialog among residents and council during meetings. Town committees should be heard by council and not disbanded due to their self-centeredness. My qualifications encompass managing career boards by hiring qualified employees to include position certification requirement. I acquired the contracting officer certification for government contracts to ensure the most capability companies were awarded the contract(s). My involvement with FBI major investigations included conducting analytical findings for solving cases and working directly with local and federal law enforcement for 35 plus years.
3) How can Surfside Beach balance its need to grow with reserving the small town that it’s known for?
The Surfside Beach Planning Commission Committee is currently working on the town’s 10-year plan. After the Town Council has reviewed this plan, the town residents and businesses could be educated on this plan to create an open dialogue among all parties. The Surfside Beach Planning and Zoning Department codes will need to be reviewed to ensure (if possible) user friendliness for businesses and welcoming visitors. I personally would incorporate attractive business fronts with trees and flowers, drivable parking lots by eliminating potholes, and safety lighting for driving, walking and biking visitors. The town’s Facebook should include detailed information concerning town resources (first responders, library, beach requirements, golf cart regulations, and restaurants, stores, entertainment locations.
4) What is the most critical issue facing Surfside Beach over the next decade?
The most critical issue facing Surfside Beach over the next decade is being financially stable for the residents, businesses and visitors. The town’s requirements can only be managed effectively by prioritizing projects in three categories: 1) Emergency funding reserve for environmental disasters; 2) Town Operational Expenses; (and only then) 3) Future enhancements for the town’s residents, businesses and visitors.
5) How would you work to promote diversity and inclusivity within the town, which saw one of its town council members make anti-gay comments last year?
We need to grow together as a united community with valuable and creative paths for all who reside and visit our small town. Mutal respect, understanding and clear communication are some of the best ways to promote diversity and inclusivity. My goal is to strive for open dialogue among town residents, businesses and town council. The Town Council needs to function as a team with a strong mayor as our leader. Only then can we display a united representation for the town’s residents, businesses and visitors. The Town Council should be required to be held to a higher standard in displaying kindness and fairness for all. If not, Town Council member(s) should be required to apologize for their inappropriate comments and removed from office. Only then, we can rebuild the “The Small Town Feel” in which our Family Beach is known for family and fun.
