Liz Bradsher for County Commissioner

About Me

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.

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.

My Professional Background

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.

Why I am running

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 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.

My Purpose

Person County has always brought to my mind the true essence of America with its quaint Main Street, beautiful countryside and friendly residents.

"Very Proud of you and your constant personal commitment to leaving things /issues better than when you discovered the need for leadership and change." ~ Brian McCagh Former Executive Director, Baltimore Medical Center, Oncology Services

"I love your passion to make a difference in this world!" ~ Carol Quigley, Client Associate, Wells Fargo

"Liz, you always make the community you live in better for its residents." ~ Joan Talbert, Retired Secret Service

"Liz, Anyone that votes for you will be making the right choice for sure!" ~ Linda Catterton King, Former 4-H Coordinator Prince William County

"Go get them Liz!" ~ Doug Scott - Former Chief of Police, Fairfax and Arlington Counties

"If there is anyone who can bring positive change to a community it's my mom. Growing up I watched her lead a movement to build and open a secondary school to solve an overpopulation problem and then go on to serve on the Fairfax County School Board. She was constantly communicating with her constituents and she cared deeply about what they had to say. If you want to see Person County thrive my mom will make it happen." ~ Maddie Bradsher Rowley, Jerusalem, Israel

"My Mom is a true community leader. This is demonstrated by her successful efforts to build a new secondary school and 3 other schools for neighborhoods attempting to find solutions for distance and overpopulation. She joined the Fairfax County School Board in 2008 addressing a multitude of community and public school issues while serving 169,000 district constituents and 1.1 million county constituents. Being a Commissioner in Person County is a natural step for my mom and would be great for Person County." ~ Meredith Lee Bradsher, Senior Revenue Recognition Accountant, Appian

Courier-Times Commissioner Questionnaire

Name: Elizabeth T Bradsher – “Liz Bradsher”

Occupation: Executive Director, NC PACE Association

Political experience:

25+ years of advocacy and political experience. Former elected School Board Representative for Fairfax County representing the Springfield District of 170,000 constituents and 1.1 million county residents.

Civic Involvement:

Light the Night on Hyco Lake, EDC Volunteer, GOP Consultant on issues of economic development, funding, job growth, education, and improved government transparency. Additional civic involvement includes:

· County Appointed At Large Representative for the Fairfax County Athletic Council, Parks, Fields, and Use

· Chair of the Hayfield Pyramid Solutions Group

· Springfield Representative for the Fairfax County Laurel Hill/Lorton Prison Adaptive Reuse and Revitalization Committee

· Occoquan Watershed Coalition

· Chair of the FCPS Facilities Committee

· Member of the Regional Access to Health Care Consortium

· Former School Board Liaison to Fairfax City and FCPS Facilities Planning Advisory Committee

· Awarded as Lady Fairfax, Springfield District, volunteer of the year award

· All Night Grad Party Committee Chair

· Member of the Mt Vernon Planning Task Force Committee

· Board Member, County Coalition Against Substance Abuse

· Chair, South County Education and Development Committee

Education:

BSBA Villanova University

Masters work in Business/Finance – George Mason Univ.

Aspen Institute – Leadership and Mediation Training

Graduate of Leadership Fairfax

1. What is the main issue you will focus on, if elected?

If elected, I will focus on the sustainability of this county for future generations. This means my focus will be on jobs, the economy, county infrastructure, government transparency and education.

2. If there was one recent action the Board of County Commissioners has taken that you would change, what would it be and why?

It is not so much about a recent action, instead it is about the actions not being taken to formulate discussion of the issues that are being presented or need to be presented such as our declining tax base, loss of jobs and the closing of our plants. There is little attempt to provide collaborative discussion with the members of our School Board who receive close to 18% of our county budget and with the public. It says quite a bit when the Chairman of the BOC will not allow ample time for public discourse. I would change the current environment; I would work for open dialogue with the public and with my fellow Board members. Egos should be left at the door.

3. What areas of county government need the most attention or funding?

Our replacement of our County Manager is the most paramount need. Boards should be reviewed for purposes of mission and worth. Additionally, we need to look at our tax base and be proactive as to the loss of our Coal Plants. These plants provide 20% of our tax base, to do nothing is simply wrong. We should be establishing a Citizen Task Force to work with Duke Energy to provide a pathway for transition. We should be negotiating an economic stimulus package with Duke Energy as they shut down these plants. We have been good partners with Duke Energy, Person County should not be afraid to negotiate “a transition package”. It was done in Florida, and it can be done here.

4. What traits or qualities should the commissioners be looking for in the next county manager?

The next county manager should be skilled in finance and public administration to include the knowledge of working with creative financing mechanisms/streams to assist with our county infrastructure and funding needs. The County Manager should also be a leader as it pertains to the management of staff, human services and provide sound, conservative, fiscal management to assist with the direction of new initiatives that will sustain this county as well as the City of Roxboro. The candidate should provide a solid resume.

5. How would you define transparency and how would you demonstrate it in office?

Transparency is about the obligation of government to share information with the public, for elected officials it is about sharing such information and being accountable to the public being served. I have demonstrated this as an elected official by communicating the issues to the constituents being served via email, meeting, telephone, Task Force development, written and social media, etc. I will continue to do so if elected. I believe this is a core component of an elected position. Communication and transparency of the issues should never be underrated.

6. What is your proudest accomplishment in public service?

My proudest accomplishment in public service is knowing that I was true to myself and to the public I served. My accomplishment to build 4 community schools while saving $23 million in county funding through the first public/private partnership in VA makes me proud. The ability to stand up for what is right for the majority of county constituents and taxpayers makes me proud. I enjoy public service, but my proudest life accomplishments are my 2 daughters.