Local residents deserve more than a voice after decisions have already been made. They deserve proactive representation from the beginning.  My record shows that I take seriously the responsibility of representing the people I serve.

Currently, the citizens in our community are concerned about large-scale data centers.  My position is clear: data centers do not belong in residential areas. Families should not have their daily lives disrupted or their quality of life diminished by a project they never asked to have next door.

Rep. Cohn and I agree that North Carolina needs to better understand the impact of large-scale data centers and make sure taxpayers and ratepayers are not left footing the bill.  That’s common sense.  But I believe we need to take the conversation one step further.  It’s not just about what these companies are willing to pay, but rather whether these projects are the right fit for the communities where they’re proposed.

I’m not opposed to technology or economic development.  I simply believe our community deserves a meaningful voice in decisions that could permanently affect the land, water, infrastructure, property, and quality of life.  While I support responsible growth that creates opportunities for our community, growth is not responsible simply because someone is willing to invest money.  Serving as a Representative for our community requires being willing to pause to determine whether the benefits truly outweigh the costs before moving forward.  That requires a moratorium of sufficient duration to allow appropriate research to be completed.  The citizens of Vance and Granville Counties deserve proactive leadership that will listen first, find the answers, and advocate for their communities.

That is the kind of representation I intend to provide.