Marietta residents deserve policies that provide a quality of life. I am running because I care about Marietta and its future.

As a life-long resident of Washington County, I have watched Marietta go through transformations and face many challenges. Living in Marietta for 19 years, I care deeply about my home town and am proud of my Harmar Village neighborhood.

I was born in Marietta and raised near Belpre, on a third generation family farm. My father, a retired ODOT highway worker, instilled a strong work ethic and encouraged me to give back to the community. My grandfather worked as a farmer in Washington County and for many years did back-breaking labor in the stone quarries near Constitution. When times were tough during the Great Depression, my grandfather worked for the W.P.A. (Works Project Administration) building township roads in Washington County.

I worked my way through Marietta College, working nearly 40 hours per week at Rax Restaurant, plus various part-time jobs on campus. In the summers I worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation, working first at the Tourist Information Center on Interstate-77 and then as a flagger for the maintenance department. Even though I worked many hours, I succeeded in making the Dean's List every semester and graduated in 4 years with a Bachelor of Arts Degree.

A few years after graduation, I joined the Telesis Leadership Program, sponsored by the Marietta Chamber of Commerce. After completing the program, I became active in many community and civic organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, the Easter Seals of the River Cities, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival Committee.

I am currently the internet developer and webmaster for one of the top area tourist destinations, the Fenton Art Glass Company in Williamstown, W. Va. I have worked in communications, advertising, public relations, graphic design and marketing for almost 20 years in the Marietta area.

My goals, if elected to City Council, include working on public safety issues, business development, historic preservation and quality of life issues such as clean and safe parks, and prioritizing street improvements.

I believe residents deserve responsible policies, reliable services and responsive leaders. If elected, I will work to create a positive and cooperative environment in city government.

Over the next several months, I will be meeting with voters in my ward, visiting their homes, attending council meetings and speaking at neighborhood meetings and civic organizations.

I look forward to working with you. Together we can move Marietta forward and improve the quality of life for everyone.