DAVE'S PLATFORM IS FORMED AROUND THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO YOU.
PROTECTING YOUR HARD-EARNED DOLLARS
Dave believes every dollar spent by the county government represents the hard work of our taxpayers. As a lifelong business owner, he understands budgets, payroll, rising costs, and the responsibility that comes with managing other people’s money. He believes county government must operate with the same discipline, transparency, and accountability that successful businesses require. Dave supports responsible budgeting, cutting government waste, and making sure limited resources are directed toward services that truly matter to the people of St. Clair County.
TAKING A COMMON-SENSE APPROACH TO INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure should not be a political issue. It is a daily reality. Dave understands how much our citizens depend on safe roads, dependable bridges, and reliable utilities. From hauling livestock and farm equipment to getting children safely to school and employees to work, infrastructure affects every part of life in St. Clair County. He believes county leadership must focus on maintaining what we already have, addressing problem areas before they become emergencies, and planning strategically for our future needs. All of our communities deserve solutions that are practical, timely, and focused on safety.
MANAGING GROWTH THE RIGHT WAY
Dave believes progress should never come at the expense of the people who already call this county home. St. Clair County has grown substantially in recent years, putting a strain on our local infrastructure, such as Highway 231 in Pell City and Highway 411 in Moody/Odenville. Development should be planned with the input of local residents, landowners, and business owners at the table – because this is everyone’s home. Dave supports responsible, manageable growth that brings jobs and opportunity while protecting the character of our small towns. He believes the best development is development that helps local families, supports local businesses, and leaves our communities stronger than they were before.
LEADERSHIP THAT LISTENS & GIVES YOU A VOICE
Dave believes leadership begins by listening – and not just when it’s convenient. For more than 30 years, his work as a veterinarian has placed him side-by-side with thousands of individuals during their hardest moments and their biggest challenges. Those experiences helped shape his belief that every person deserves to be heard and treated with respect. He believes county leadership should be accessible and proactively sharing information with the people through every possible avenue. Decisions should be made with transparency and with input from the communities they affect, not behind closed doors or driven by personal interests.
SUPPORTING OUR FARMING COMMUNITY & LAND OWNERS
St. Clair County was built by the hands of farmers and working families who learned early that nothing comes easy and nothing lasts unless you take care of it. Dave has raised cattle since he was a child and has spent more than three decades caring for livestock and family farms as a large-animal veterinarian. He understands what it takes to keep a farm running, what it means when fuel and feed prices rise, and how deeply land and family are connected in rural communities. He believes our county must protect farmland, respect private property rights, and ensure agriculture is never pushed aside as development continues. Preserving our agricultural way of life is about protecting the backbone of our local economy and honoring the families who still feed and support this county every day.
INVESTING IN OUR FIRST RESPONDERS
Dave believes public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of county government. Safe communities allow families to thrive, businesses to grow, and neighborhoods to remain strong. Dave supports continued investment in law enforcement, emergency services, and first responders so they have the training, equipment, and resources they need to protect the public. He believes reliable communication systems, modern equipment, and coordinated emergency response are essential when lives are on the line. Dave also strongly supports efforts that protect students and staff in local schools and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Public safety also includes the men and women who serve in volunteer fire departments, emergency medical services, and emergency management. Dave believes these public servants deserve strong support, practical resources, and leadership that understands the challenges they face every day. As chairman, Dave will focus on responsible investments that improve training, strengthen coordination between agencies, and help ensure that every part of St. Clair County can depend on fast, effective, and professional emergency response. Supporting those who protect our communities is not political. It is essential.
ADDRESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
Dave believes the mental health crisis facing our communities is real, serious, and growing. While mental health care is largely regulated and funded at the state level, Dave believes county leadership still has an important role to play by supporting collaboration, early intervention, and practical local solutions. He supports building stronger partnerships between law enforcement, schools, health providers, and community organizations to help connect individuals and families with services before situations escalate into emergencies. Dave also believes it is important to support innovative local approaches that help first responders better serve individuals experiencing mental health crises, while continuing to look for responsible ways to expand response capacity and coordination across agencies. This is not a problem that can be solved by a single program or a single budget decision. Dave believes progress requires leadership at every level, honest recognition of what county government can and cannot do, and a commitment to long-term cooperation focused on real outcomes for the people who need help.