Liz Bradsher - County Commissioner

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Elizabeth (Liz). Bradsher

Website:  www.lizbradsherforcommissioner.com

Facebook page: – Liz Bradsher For Person County Commissioner

Gmail: [email protected]

Why I am running:

Person County has always brought to my mind the true essence of America with its quaint Main Street, beautiful countryside and friendly residents.  Within the past 20 years there has been an unfortunate decline in job opportunities and a loss of 2000 jobs in Person County. The County is at a crossroads and its future sustainability is in question. We need infrastructure improvements and economic growth.  We must also address our aging school structures and the eventual loss of our coal plants and plant jobs.  These issues and the need for government transparency and a consistent and open dialogues with the residents of this county are the reasons for why I am seeking the office of County Commissioner.

My Background:

I have known Person County for well over 35 years.  During these years I have met wonderful people and witnessed a small, vibrant town.  My vision for Person County is backed by a solid education in business from Villanova University and 30 years of experience in the private, non-profit, and public sectors.

Formally, I was an elected School Board representative, and oversaw a $2 billion operations budget while representing 169,000 district constituents and 1.1 million county residents. I have expertise in conducting multi-dimensional research, interviewing and partnering with experts, finding commonality on Boards and analyzing data. All of which led me to develop with others the first VA state private-public partnership to build a new high school, middle school and two elementary schools. This was done without adding additional taxation and saved the county $23 million resulting in several county and state awards.  Additionally I worked in areas of county economic development and the adaptive reuse of older historic buildings.  I have received county awards for my volunteerism and leadership skills and was awarded Lady Fairfax of Fairfax County, VA for my community work.  To date I am the Executive Director of the NC PACE Association providing leadership, policy and managed health care strategies for the elderly.

On the personal side my husband Don and I live on Hyco Lake, close to his childhood home in Roxboro on Main Street which is still owned by his sister, Dr. Tori Bradsher, who is the third generation of Bradsher doctors residing in the family home.  Don is working to complete PCC ‘s Gunsmithing program and is also an accountant. We are the parents of 2 grown daughters, Madeleine and Meredith Lee and new grandparents to Merritt Elizabeth. Our son-in law, Jay Rowley, is a rising Major in the U.S. Army.  Our family is dedicated to making Person County always a place to call home.

Relevant Issues:

My resolve is to work with the residents of Person County as County Commissioner and as a servant leader to:

• Provide economic growth and development.
• Improve government communication and transparency.
• Provide creative financial avenues for school capital expenditures and county needs.

As a county we lost 2000 jobs in 20 years, and will lose over 400 more with the closing of our 2 coal plants.. There is no transition in place for our coal plants, no discussion among the public or with Duke Energy for what is to come. The public deserves government transparency

on this issue and others. A plan should be in place and made available to the public that will provide sustainability for our county. Current long time elected officials have done little to provide public information on this matter and a transition process.

We need economic growth to expand our tax base and keep our taxes low. For years I have been hearing a “can’t do” attitude from county officials.  I don’t accept such and believe this county does have tremendous assets for mid-size manufacturers. The millions that have been poured into our local airport, although nice,  by certain long standing Commissioners, will not provide jobs nor substantial benefits to our tax base.

We have a county growth rate of -13.8% within the state when compared with other North Carolina counties.  Our population is declining and aging.  These indicators are concerning.  We spend 57% of our tax dollars to fund government and human services and only 18% on public education..  Our schools need renovations and student achievement lags behind other counties in the state.  The Board of Commissioners needs to work with the School Board to provide a collaborative realistic plan for the future or our schools and students.  Good public schools provide good citizens and county prosperity.  

The current status quo is no longer acceptable.