Everyone sees the economic direction we are headed for in both our country and the world. COVID was a global event impacting a global economy that disrupted the natural flow of conducting business. With rising inflation, supply chain shortages, geopolitical uncertainty, and political extremism driving the stress, we need to focus on ourselves and take care of each other. Local governments can make a difference in local issues. The County government remaining solvent and healthy is a necessary key to providing the leadership to face these challenges. The Townships need to remain similarly strong.  Budget management in times of crisis is the bedrock of my career as a turn-a-round leader in several small, medium, and large businesses. The City of Chillicothe was in a similar condition when I became Mayor in 2012 – It was the very reason I ran for Mayor because I had a plan called A New Vision, to turn those circumstances around, and create a framework for the city to emerge financially healthy and on the road to economic development.

Recently, Chillicothe was named among the top 100 Micropolitan Areas in the United States for 2021. Some of the criteria for getting named to this list include impressive business expansion, an aggressive approach to economic development, innovative business retention programs, and a strong city core (downtown). Chillicothe achieved this award three other years according to the article; 2014, 2015 – while I was Mayor, and the year after 2016.