My name is Paul LaRosa and I am running for LeFlore County Commissioner in District 2.
Most people in our area know me as the guy who runs PJ’s Convenience Store. When I was twenty four, I borrowed the money from a local bank to build that store because I could see the need and the potential for it to be successful. I have that same enthusiasm and knowing LeFlore County has a good future if we also have good leadership.
My strengths are problem solving, management and business, and I also place high value on family and community. I want my children and their children to make their homes here. My interest is preserving our quality of life in LeFlore County. That is what pushes me to run for the office of County Commissioner.
I know roads get spoken about more than anything else, but there are so many other issues that must be defined and addressed to preserve the natural resources we enjoy. I realize the County Commissioners’ office is the place where most of these critical quality of life decisions will be made in the next four years. I want LeFlore County to be the best it can be, not just ‘passable’. What does a Le Flore County Commissioner do? …” roads.” Yes, however our Commissioners sign permits for development, expend millions and millions of dollars of public money, and oversee public works construction which includes roads and bridges.
Taken together these responsibilities directly impact our lives every single day. The recent growth of larger, more densely stacked, chicken houses and the proposal to drastically expand their footprint in LeFlore County have become a red flag and is a good example of why I am running for County Commissioner. I am not proposing to continue business as usual or the status quo in District 2, quite the opposite! I am proposing to take our County into the future with a positive, long-range vision based on the preservation of our quality of life.
I have spent time researching other localities who have successful approaches to encouraging business growth while preserving the very qualities that cause residents to make their homes there. Businesses and residences should and can be compatible in LeFlore County without having to give up land rights to “rural zoning”.
If you elect me, Paul La Rosa, I will fulfill these particular promises in my district: 1.) Significant Land use changes will be publicly posted for 30 days in advance of any public hearings; 2.) Public Hearings will be held for citizen input on significant land use changes at least 30 days in advance of issuing permits; 3) All citizen input will be weighed in the decisions concerning the issuance of permit; and 4.)
Significant citizen concerns will postpone issuance of a permit until such concerns have been addressed. This would allow situations such as these large chicken houses to be openly discussed and resolved, rather than turning neighbor against neighbor.
There are additional ‘mitigating tools’ in other communities which I believe have merit for preserving our tremendously beautiful natural resources while affording us good quality of life which includes welcoming businesses. I am passionate about moving Le Flore County into a prosperous and healthy future which respects our property rights. We can start being proactive in developing our area instead of reactive.
Now is the time to start finding solutions! If you agree with me, that we need constructive change to prevent from falling further behind in our area, then I humbly ask for your vote at the Primary Election on June 30. If you have any questions or ideas, or just want to talk, please contact me at: Facebook: Elect Paul LaRosa District 2 County Commissioner Phone: 918-658-5931
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