These are my answers to questions from Shawn Stinson in May, 2022, of the Pendleton Times:
What are your top priorities as a candidate?
I want to galvanize and help develop a creative economy and be part of the expanding of arts and culture in the new 86th district. I want to expand education and work opportunities, pursue community innovation, reduce addiction and dependency, and increase individual sovereignty. I think it’s all connected.
How do you plan on achieving those goals if elected to the House of Delegates?
Regarding the development of a more diversified and creative economy: pursuing state grants for public art installations, publicly funded tourism campaigns, tax incentives to companies, small businesses, and foundations, and public-private partnerships to utilize abandoned and under-used spaces, starting with main streets in places like Moorefield (renovating and reopening the McCoy Grand, as one example), Brandywine, Wardensville (which has seen some interesting development in recent years due to foundation and private investment), and elsewhere, would be a good start. I know that was a long sentence. I also support legislation to ensure in-state contractors and technicians are hired for projects before pulling workers from out-of-state. I see too many out of state license plates at construction sites.
I also think there is a drive towards vocational again. Thank God. This will save us. Tradesmen and tradeswomen can be employed in many interesting new ways, and development and enhancement of the area must involve them.
I also know that educational programming should expand, especially through existing institutions like high schools and a place such as Eastern WV Community College and Technical Institute, to include culinary, design, arts, etc. as offerings to students who either want to pursue a career, or have more knowledge and experience in various creative fields.
And just to reinforce the economic potential of arts and culture development: Michigan (as an example) did a study which found every one dollar invested in the arts yields 51 dollars for the economy. West Virginia is unique - perhaps one of the most unique states - so we’ll see what this can do locally and statewide. Investing in the arts can have huge impact.
Regarding addiction, dependency, mental health and overdoses: when people aren’t sad or in pain, they tend not to need to numb themselves with harmful substances. This is personal to me. Also, I see most things that challenge a community as being interconnected. Having a more creative economy would seem, at the minimum, to be one component in offering more to the mind, body and spirit of our loved ones and neighbors.
I want more accessible healthcare and more options for healthcare. This is an issue I am still actively educating my self on.
Attaching bill components to bipartisan legislation is fundamental to effecting good change. State and federally-funded programs (we could use some of the Sackler money) such as agricultural and arts ‘residencies’ for people suffering and recovering from addiction, as well as the youth of Hardy and Pendleton Counties being able to pursue new ideas, are some things I want to pursue.
What makes you different from your opponent?
I know we agree on a lot. I have enjoyed talking with him and respect him. We both want another Democrat in the state house. I am uniquely focused on arts and culture as a mechanism to address multiple issues the district faces, including addiction and mental health, reversing the 'exodus' from the area - especially young people - and revitalizing the economy creatively. We have the innate resources and momentum. With new opportunity comes growth, and more potential for individual fulfillment.
I don’t necessarily think this is any point of difference between us, but I’m also adept at engaging with those who have different perspectives, on non-profit Boards, as an entrepreneur, as well as among family. My father’s family is from our Alabama homestead, and there is maybe a single registered Democrat among them (maybe). I love them and am lucky to be able to converse with them freely and respectfully. Often we learn something. I think as a state legislator, it’s vital to be able to negotiate across the so-called ‘isle’. I can find common ground while promoting an agenda. I understand how important negotiation and respectful exchange is for progress. Someone told me recently: politics shouldn’t be a sport, because the whole community is on the same team.
So, I want to be accessible and amenable as we figure out our shared future.
I have a storefront on Main Street in Moorefield, and I’d like that to be a haven for idea exchange. It’s a space where I will hold ‘office hours’ - looking for a better term - but, anyone can come by and voice themselves…or just be seen and heard and have some tea.