Priorities

Drawing on her academic background and 13 years' experience in elective office, Barb is guided by a simple philosophy of good governance:
-Keep our taxes low, our community safe, our infrastructure sound, and our budget tightly balanced (as shown by Delaware County's AAA credit rating from both Moody's and S&P—only the second Ohio county to achieve this distinction)
-Promote the private sector’s creation of well-paying jobs (Delaware County's unemployment rate is among Ohio's lowest)
-Foster dynamic new community development that honors Delaware's farming and rural traditions, green spaces and waterways (Ohio's fastest growing county proudly retains its agricultural character, including the Little Brown Jug)
-Be actively mindful of the needs of our community's less fortunate (Barb serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of Delaware County and supports many local organizations such as People In Need, Inc. and Turning Point's domestic violence shelter project)
-Collaborate openly and honestly with others
Barb emphasizes government efficiency, citizen outreach, and maintaining solid working relationships with Delaware County's other elected officials and community leaders of all political persuasions. She envisions the county as one unified, dynamic and growing community. She is also a leader for Delaware County's “Stepping Up Initiative,” modeled on a national program that reduces the number of non-violent offenders with mental illness in our jails and prisons while providing them with proper recovery treatment in a cost-effective manner. Towards that goal Barb serves on the Public Safety Steering Committee of the National Association of Counties, based in Washington, D.C. Barb also chairs the Justice and Public Safety Committee of the County Commissioners' Association of Ohio.