List the educational, professional or community experiences which prepare you to be a councilman. (100 words or less)

I am a lifelong Stillwater resident.  I graduated from OSU with a B.S. in Accounting in 1994.  I earned my CPA certificate in 1997.  I have served in various roles in the community from little league coach to church volunteer, to member of the United Way and YMCA Board of Directors, as well as being a husband and father of 3.  Each of these roles allowed me to serve in a variety of capacities always with the goal of meeting the needs of someone else.  I believe, as City Councilor, I will continue to meet the needs of others through service.

I believe in order to deal with revenue shortfalls we must first categorize the services provided by our City government.  Each service can be put into 1 of 3 categories.  Critical services, non-critical, but valuable, services that are not provided elsewhere in the community and finally non-critical, but valuable, services that are provided elsewhere in the community.  Once categorized, we then need to prioritize the services within each category.  This process will help shine the light on services that can be looked at for privatization.  We can privatize services to lower expenses while maintaining the service itself.  

Dan Galloway showed signs of leadership recently when he asked the city employees how to cut costs.  That is an excellent place to start.  If further cuts are needed, I would review the number of supervisors in city management and their pay structure.  This would include the "CONSERVATIVE (?)' management, which led us to the shortfall.  Cutting essential services, increasing taxes, increased utilities, and long-term debt are not viable alternatives.

I will work to promote family activities in Stillwater.  I believe the family is the foundation upon which every great city is built.  By promoting family activities I believe we can continue to increase the quality of life for families as well as our student population.  To do this we need to continue to promote the current City run activities and in the process find more ways to partner with private sector entities.  This partnership will lessen the burden on City government while promoting local businesses and non-profit entities.

Our city government structure was established over forty years ago.  We've outgrown it.  I would like to encourage Stillwater citizens to get involved and participate in their government.  Take control away from special interest and the old guard groups.  Stillwater is a thriving and growing community that must assume the responsibility for its own future.  Citizens working toward common goals will make Stillwater a better place to live.

List the educational, professional or community experiences which prepare you to be a councilman. (100 words or less)

Stillwater is my home town, and I have a BS degree from OSU in Hotel & Restaurant Administration.  I was on the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the CDBG program for the City of Stillwater for 5 years - ending in 2003.  I was the chairperson of that committee for 4 years.  I had a hand in developing the Home Buyer's Assistance Program since it was to be funded through the CDBG program.  This is where I learned how the City of Stillwater works and how long it takes to get anything done.

Turn off 2/3rd of the street lights, and have residents turn their porch lights on at night.  We may find we like it better without what's called "light pollution".  Ramp up retail sales in Stillwater by widely promoting our reasonable sales tax rate.  Maybe consider offering a half cent sales tax rebate during a busy weekend when many visitors are expected to encourage retail sales.  Maintain the same quality of Ambulance service, but share the financial burden with Perkins, Stillwater Medical Center, & OSU.  Pay EMT wages for the EMT job, not higher Firefighter wages for the EMT job. 

The economic downturn is beginning to reverse itself and the economy is showing improvement.  That suggests that we are facing more of a temporary timing problem with revenues rather than a condition of permanent loss of revenues.  So, managing through the next 18 months will be key.  However, the economic downturn does provide an opportunity to assess services at all levels and look for potential cost cutting opportunities.  City employees should be commended for making great suggestions for costs savings and cuts.  City Leadership should give these recommendations serious consideration.

Simply running for this City Council seat as an openly gay man has already made Stillwater a better place to live.  Getting elected would make it even better.  It would send a message of acceptance and tolerance far and wide.  The message some state officials have sent out is one of rejection and intolerance.  Many of our best and brightest have left Oklahoma because of this.  I've been a bit surprised by the acceptance I have experienced in this campaign.  I expected some acceptance, but not as much as I've received so far. 

I would serve in such a way that promotes wide-reaching community involvement from all who want to participate.  Stillwater is a unique community in Oklahoma.  We have so much to be proud of and so much to offer.  I would serve to protect all that makes Stillwater such a vibrant and special place and will encourage others to be involved.  I would like to especially focus attention on protecting the vitality of the individual neighborhoods all across the City.