After two years in office, I have learned a lot about Forsyth County!
Since I joined the Board of Commissioners, the Board has supported a number of economic development initiatives that I believe will transform the county. First and foremost is the infrastructure investment by Forsyth County and The City of Winston-Salem in Whitaker Park – the old RJ Reynolds cluster of facilities near BB&T stadium. I serve on the Whitaker Park Development Authority that manages that investment and there has been and continues to be a lot of interest in the site. Other investments are underway in Innovation Quarter (the Bailey Power Plant), around the BB&T ballpark – a hotel, parking decks, shops, and condos, and the business park development just off Idols’ Road, just east of Tanglewood Park (one manufacturing plant has already agreed to relocate there).
The Central Library is on schedule and should be finished within calendar year 2017, the Kernersville library construction is ready to begin, and the architect for the Clemmons library has been selected. One of my campaign promises was to support moving these projects along – all three had languished since approval of the 2008 library bond issue. Speaking of bond issues, I was pleased to support submitting three bond proposals to the voters in Forsyth County to pay for school construction and renovation, improvements to Forsyth Tech’s main campus, and improvements to Tanglewood Park and other county parks and recreation facilities. I want to thank the voters in Forsyth County for supporting all three bond issues with over a 70% approval rating.
The Commissioners have initiated first time partnerships with the Arts Council and Old Salem during 2016. The Commissioners have made it possible for the Arts Council to purchase a building behind the Stevens Center that will allow the WS Symphony to expand its cramped quarters and provide a home for the National Black Theater Fiestival’s Hall of Fame. The Festival brings in thousands of tourists every other year and has promoted Winston-Salem and Forsyth County across the world. In addition, Forsyth County has partnered with the Arts Council in supporting a successful “Arts in the Park” series this past summer with five concerts at both Tanglewood and Triad parks. I am pleased that these concerts will continue in the summer of 2017. The County has supported two initiatives with Old Salem – one provides funds for 8th grade students in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools to visit Old Salem when they study NC History, and the other supports the renovation of the Boys’ School – an initiative that was a part of Old Salem’s 250th anniversary celebration.
I have enjoyed working with my fellow Commissioners on these projects; we haven’t always agreed, but we have agreed not to be disagreeable! Differences of opinions make for better decisions.
I have also had the opportunity to get to know a number of County staff – particularly, the department heads. We are lucky to have Dudley Watts serving as our County Manager along with the many fine staff who support citizens in the county each and every day.
During 2017, one of my goals is to visit each fire department and to work hard to find a solution for our courthouse facility needs. Please e-mail me anytime you have a suggestion, a comment, or a question. During my campaign two years ago, I used “Forsyth First” as my campaign slogan – meaning that I wanted to work to make Forsyth first in economic development, first in education, and first in quality of life. We have made progress in each of these areas during the last two years.
Thanks to all of you who supported me in November 2014 and I look forward to continuing my service for the next two years.
Visit the County's website, by clicking here, for the most up-to-date information about the Board of Commissioners.
Sincerely,
Since I joined the Board of Commissioners, the Board has supported a number of economic development initiatives that I believe will transform the county. First and foremost is the infrastructure investment by Forsyth County and The City of Winston-Salem in Whitaker Park – the old RJ Reynolds cluster of facilities near BB&T stadium. I serve on the Whitaker Park Development Authority that manages that investment and there has been and continues to be a lot of interest in the site. Other investments are underway in Innovation Quarter (the Bailey Power Plant), around the BB&T ballpark – a hotel, parking decks, shops, and condos, and the business park development just off Idols’ Road, just east of Tanglewood Park (one manufacturing plant has already agreed to relocate there).
The Central Library is on schedule and should be finished within calendar year 2017, the Kernersville library construction is ready to begin, and the architect for the Clemmons library has been selected. One of my campaign promises was to support moving these projects along – all three had languished since approval of the 2008 library bond issue. Speaking of bond issues, I was pleased to support submitting three bond proposals to the voters in Forsyth County to pay for school construction and renovation, improvements to Forsyth Tech’s main campus, and improvements to Tanglewood Park and other county parks and recreation facilities. I want to thank the voters in Forsyth County for supporting all three bond issues with over a 70% approval rating.
The Commissioners have initiated first time partnerships with the Arts Council and Old Salem during 2016. The Commissioners have made it possible for the Arts Council to purchase a building behind the Stevens Center that will allow the WS Symphony to expand its cramped quarters and provide a home for the National Black Theater Fiestival’s Hall of Fame. The Festival brings in thousands of tourists every other year and has promoted Winston-Salem and Forsyth County across the world. In addition, Forsyth County has partnered with the Arts Council in supporting a successful “Arts in the Park” series this past summer with five concerts at both Tanglewood and Triad parks. I am pleased that these concerts will continue in the summer of 2017. The County has supported two initiatives with Old Salem – one provides funds for 8th grade students in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools to visit Old Salem when they study NC History, and the other supports the renovation of the Boys’ School – an initiative that was a part of Old Salem’s 250th anniversary celebration.
I have enjoyed working with my fellow Commissioners on these projects; we haven’t always agreed, but we have agreed not to be disagreeable! Differences of opinions make for better decisions.
I have also had the opportunity to get to know a number of County staff – particularly, the department heads. We are lucky to have Dudley Watts serving as our County Manager along with the many fine staff who support citizens in the county each and every day.
During 2017, one of my goals is to visit each fire department and to work hard to find a solution for our courthouse facility needs. Please e-mail me anytime you have a suggestion, a comment, or a question. During my campaign two years ago, I used “Forsyth First” as my campaign slogan – meaning that I wanted to work to make Forsyth first in economic development, first in education, and first in quality of life. We have made progress in each of these areas during the last two years.
Thanks to all of you who supported me in November 2014 and I look forward to continuing my service for the next two years.
Visit the County's website, by clicking here, for the most up-to-date information about the Board of Commissioners.
Sincerely,
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