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News & Commentary
RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — On July 22, I stood before a full room of community members, patriots, and taxpayers to talk about something that’s been gnawing at many of us: What happens when the government we fund fails to show up after disaster strikes? Specifically, what happened after Hurricane Helene, and why it took Rutherford County months to roll out Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) when other counties acted swiftly. I am writing this to share my full remarks here for news and archival purposes, what others said, and where this story is heading next.
We gathered in Rutherfordton at the invitation of the Republican Women of the Foothills. I opened by saying: "It's truly a pleasure to gather with people who care deeply about faith, community, family, and the future of our mountain communities." The applause made it clear—these values matter here.
