I am concerned about saving the SRHS pension plan. The pension plan
was promised to the employees and the employees worked for years for
this pension plan. The retirees and current employees have more than
earned the pension plan they were promised. Termination of the plan
should have never been a consideration to fix the financial issues SRHS
has been facing since 2010. I also want to insure that people know what
happened to the money that was supposed to go into the pension plan, and
understand why the hospital system is in financial trouble.
I
intend to insure that the people of Jackson County have a voice in
local government. The people need to be able to share what they think
needs to be done, ask questions and receive answers at Board Meetings.
The Supervisors need to remember that they are working for the citizens
of Jackson County.
The roads in Jackson County and in
much of South Mississippi, face extreme weather from time to time. As
such these roads need regular maintenance and for regular maintenance
consistent and adequate funding is required.
For
there to be a strong Democracy there needs to be transparency in
government. I intend to release more information about the Board of
Supervisor meetings and place a more detailed account of the meetings on
the Board of Supervisor website. I would work towards cutting down on
the usage of executive sessions.
Promoting energy
independence for Jackson County through renewable energy sources, means
working to invest in the future of Jackson County. Renewable energy
sources like solar and wind power, would remove our dependence on
foreign oil and our dependence on fossil fuels which pollute the air we
breath and the water we drink.
Education is necessary
for a strong and healthy economy and Democracy. As Supervisor I would
work toward adequately funding education and insuring the students of
Jackson County schools are receiving a good education that prepares them
for the world. A well educated workforce is what attracts employers. I
want to encourage tech industries to locate in our county and other
business that offer high paying jobs, by having a well educated work
force.
Medicaid expansion is something that is needed.
Why? Because the Federal government did not realize states would reject
the expansion of Medicaid. Medicaid expansion was suppose to make up for
the Federal government no longer reimbursing hospitals for providing
care for those who were unable to pay. This Federal program was
terminated, and the States that received extensions will see them ending
soon, leaving hospitals in states that refused to expand Medicaid, in
financial trouble. Hospitals are obligated to provide life saving
medical care to those in need, regardless of their ability to pay.
I would like to see residential and small business property taxes lowered.
The
over population of dogs and cats in our area is a concern for many of
our citizens who try to care for these unwanted animals. I would like to
establish TNR programs for feral cat colonies and low cost spay and
neuter programs for the low income residents of our County, modeled
after the successful program the Humane Society of South Mississippi has
been able to implement in Harrison County.
I
want to promote the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge, the Pascagoula
River Audubon Society, Gulf Coast National Seashore, DeSoto National
Forrest and our lovely beaches, to tourist. Eco-tourism is becoming an
economic force and Jackson County has been blessed with natural
resources that will allow us to become a tourist destination for tourist who wish to
experience nature on their vacations. Ocean Springs and surrounding
areas also have much to offer culturally to tourist and we should be
promoting Jackson County to the best of our ability.
Hurricane
Katrina caught many of us off guard. I want to insure that Jackson
County has long range plans for natural disasters and can respond to the
needs of our citizens if a natural catastrophe occurs.
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