As I look at current events in Lancaster County, it is clear that we are at a crossroads. There are tremendous opportunities to build a community where all citizens will have the opportunity to pursue and achieve a high standard of living. We have the resources within our county to become one of the leading communities in the nation - a county that people from other regions recognize as a place they could call home, where they would like to receive a quality education, raise their families, pursue their careers and enjoy a secure retirement. But there are challenges that must be met in order to realize this dream. One of those challenges is to make sure that local governments work effectively and cooperatively to realize this vision. County government needs to provide this vision. County Government needs to provide an adequate infrastructure that can:

• support growth;

• deliver services that assure the health and safety of all county residents;

• and operate efficiently to avoid excessive taxation.

County government needs to unite with state and local government, the business community and the nonprofit sector to assure that we direct our energies toward securing the promise of our future.

      I will run a campaign that includes the breadth of our diverse community effort. We need all segments of our community to work together. Each has an essential contribution to make to the overall well-being of our county. The difference between a pot of hot water and the power to move a freight train is one degree. Join me, and together the energy we create will be that one degree that will move Lancaster County to a brighter future.