Issues

Accessibility: The nature of the job of someone serving on City Council is to be accessible when a constitute needs them to be. Residents expect to be given attention when they have a problem. Whether it's a storm or a flood, a clogged sewer drain, or a barking dog, Lucy knows that your problem is unique and important to you. And your quality of life as a taxpaying citizen is important to you. 

There is no democratic or republican way to solve an emergency. First, you need someone who will show up and make themselves available to you. Second, you may need help to navigate the complex, sometimes confusing, processes and language of government.

Lucy has done this for over 20 years in her career as a healthcare worker. She often finds herself wearing the hat of social worker, nurse, or speech therapist. Lucy knows how overwhelming it is to navigate the healthcare system when it's not the world you work in. Government can be the same way. Lucy's father, who worked as a lawyer, encouraged her to learn legal language when she was growing up. He made her look up all the laws pertaining to a legal stop when she got a ticket for a "rolling stop" as a teenager. This evolved into Lucy learning how to request a jury trial, and successfully defending herself in court at only 15 years old--arguing the case for dismissal of her ticket! 

Authenticity: What you will find when you examine the layers of Lucy is a person who often says what everyone in the room is thinking but won't say aloud.  She is tenacious but tactful. Lucy values teamwork and respects everyone's point of view. Her priority is to learn from others and then pass that knowledge on to others. In short, you will likely see that Lucy's priorities for family and community are in synch with yours.

It doesn't hurt that when a storm hits, Lucy's co-workers and friends know she's driving her old truck, chainsaw and tow strap at the ready. She's the person you can find changing the tire of a stranger on the side of the road.

Lucy's ability and willingness to successfully help others and fix the "unfixable" has earned her the Fantasy Football team name "LuCanDoIt." Helping you through whatever problems you may have is what a vote for Lucy will ensure for all of Sumter.

Lucy believes in strengthening our educational system to ensure all students receive a quality education. She supports partnerships between schools, local businesses, and community organizations to provide resources and opportunities for our youth. The City of Sumter has numerous experiential learning initiatives that are worth additional investments. Establishing a mentorship program connecting high school students with local Sumter professionals to provide career guidance and hands-on experience is something Lucy plans to do if she’s elected. 

There's been a lot of "discussion" from the County Council side about whether or not a millage increase is warranted. Come learn more at "Talking Tuesday" on the porch at Lucy's home any 1st or 3rd Tuesday after City Council meetings.

Lucy supports the Penny Tax as a vital source of funding for community projects and infrastructure improvements. In fact, a majority of the money comes from visitors who live outside of our community but goes to fund our most pressing projects. Lucy is committed to ensuring that these funds are used transparently and effectively to benefit all residents.

However, I will go door to door and/or ask for you input via text message survey's and see what the residents of Ward 4 WANT on all issues important issues like the Penny Tax. My job is to represent YOU. So I will vote how you want me to vote.

Crime is a serious problem in Sumter.

On a community level, I have noticed (through the "Talking Tuesdays" we've been having on my porch after City Council meetings) many of our community members have great ideas for solving some of our most challenging problems. Someone asked me recently, "Aren't you nervous about having an open invitation to your home for the community and everyone knowing your address?" Absolutely not. When there are 50-100 people in bag chairs on my lawn after every City Council meeting we will be getting somewhere with violence and crime in Sumter.

Communication and community involvement is what we are missing. Promoting communication and community involvement is my mission and it is what my life's work has been in healthcare. 

Crime has been the number one concern of everyone at the Talking Tuesdays so far. The discussion has been vibrant and collaborative with people from all walks of life telling their stories and offering their wisdom and insight. For that reason, I would like to continue this collaborative approach when designing solutions to the crime problem in Sumter. I want to continue to listen and learn, to try multiple different solutions, all while digging into the data and working with experts to find long-term solutions. Crime is not a solitary issue; we must simultaneously address many different factors that increase crime rates in our community, such as poverty, lack of opportunity, familial dysfunction, inequality, substance abuse, etc. I know members of the community are tired of the blame and finger pointing, they want actionable solutions to our most pressing problem. That is why I have been parsing through local data and researching crime reduction programs to create solution-oriented plans for Sumter County. The people of Sumter deserve to feel safe and I will do everything in my power to make that happen.

All that said, when elected, I will fight for and support increased wages for our City Police department so we can fill vacancies and reopen substations that we previously operated in high crime areas and consider adding additional ones. I would support the use of cameras in high crime areas, making them permanent where needed.

Lucy believes you shouldn't have to work so hard to recycle. Other city municipalities prioritize tax dollars to make it convenient for citizens to recycle. Lucy is committed to bringing back curbside recycling in the City of Sumter. She will work to make recycling more accessible and convenient for all Sumter residents and will promote educational campaigns to increase participation and awareness. 

Lucy is focused on making downtown Sumter more walkable and vibrant. She believes in enhancing public spaces to foster community engagement and support local businesses. She believes in creating spaces for neighbors to meet each other (i.e. dog parks and playgrounds). As a physical therapist, Lucy believes in maintaining accessible spaces and services in Sumter so all members of our community can engage in what Sumter has to offer (whether they are ambulatory, in wheelchair, or on a walker). Lucy will also encourage additional community events to draw people downtown.

Come learn more at "Talking Tuesdays" on the porch at Lucy's home any 1st or 3rd Tuesday from 6:45 to 8:00 pm after City Council meetings.

Lucy is committed to promoting balanced development that supports growth while preserving Sumter’s unique character. She will support a unified development ordinance, mixed-use development zones, and increased access to retail and affordable living spaces.

Keeping this simple: how the community of Sumter treats its elderly, its children, and its pets reflects deeply on who we are. Lucy has heard the request of citizen's at City Council meetings for a low cost spay and neuter clinic and seen the benefits of such clinics in other communities. Sumter is long overdue for a low cost clinic being a priority. As a home health therapist, I often see the problems that come with not having a low cost spay add neuter clinic play out in real time in people’s homes. Lucy will work to see this become a reality for our community. Read More