.png)
Richard’s Blueprint is a practical plan to keep taxes low, manage growth responsibly, strengthen public schools, support the local workforce, protect green spaces, improve public safety, and preserve quality of life for every resident.
Keep Taxes Low Through Responsible Budgeting
Families and small businesses have to live within a budget. County government should do the same.
Richard will push for disciplined budgeting, clear priorities, careful review of long-term costs, and a focus on core services before asking taxpayers for more.
Put Infrastructure First
Growth should not come before the roads, schools, water, sewer, stormwater systems, and public safety services needed to support it.
Richard will work to connect development decisions with real infrastructure capacity so growth is smarter, more responsible, and fair to taxpayers.
Strengthen Public Schools
County commissioners do not run the school system, but they do help fund facilities, capital needs, and long-term investments.
Richard supports safe, well-maintained schools and better planning so development decisions do not place unnecessary strain on students, teachers, families, and taxpayers.
Support Workforce Development
A strong local economy depends on a strong local workforce.
Richard supports practical career pathways that connect students and workers with opportunities in skilled trades, construction, public safety, health care, marine industries, technology, small business, and other fields that keep New Hanover County moving forward.
Protect Affordability and Quality of Life
Longtime residents, working families, young people, and seniors should not be priced out of the county they call home.
Richard will focus on the cost of living, responsible growth, tax discipline, and practical housing solutions that respect neighborhoods, infrastructure limits, and private property rights.
Protect and Expand Green Spaces
New Hanover County’s natural spaces, waterways, beaches, parks, and coastal character are part of what makes this community special.
Richard supports environmental protections, stormwater planning, land conservation, and responsible development decisions that protect quality of life now and for future generations.
Strengthen Public Safety
Public safety is a core responsibility of county government.
Richard supports law enforcement, fire-rescue, EMS, emergency management, and detention operations that are properly staffed, well-trained, and prepared to serve a growing county.
Bring Honesty and Transparency to County Government
Residents should not have to be insiders to understand how county decisions are made.
Richard will work for clearer communication, open-door leadership, plain-language budgeting, and earlier public engagement before major decisions are made.