I am a sixth generation Jackson Countian. I have lived in other parts of the country, but this is home, and why I have remained (for the most part) a lifelong resident and raised my son here.

I am the Granddaughter of the late Ray and Opal Burton, and the daughter of Edna “Sam” Miller. I have been married to my best friend and business partner, Calvin Parker for 24 years. I have a son, a stepson, a granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.

I was raised by a single mother, and so I understand the issues our population of single parents face in this county. I graduated from Jackson High School and attended Ohio University in Athens.

I worked my way through college, and while there I joined the Ohio National Guard. At that time, there was a new program, the Guard tuition grant program, that was only available at Ohio University. I was the first person, to sign onto that program. It is now nationwide.

I was an enlisted guardsman for 4 years. During that time I also joined ROTC becoming Ohio University’s first woman cadet company commander. When I graduated, I was also commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Reserve.

I also took a job as a Police Officer at the Uranium Enrichment Plant, otherwise known as the “Atomic” plant. I was also assigned to the 1001st Field Service Support Company, USAR.

At the 1001st I served as: Platoon Leader, Detachement Commander, Executive Officer and Company Commander, all being the first woman to hold any of those positions. I served 4 years as an Officer, when I decided not to extend to be a mother.

At the “Atomic” plant, I worked as a police officer and at the first centrifuge plant. When that plant closed, I was laid off. So I know what it is like to loose an income, and have the financial hardships that follow that.

I returned to the plant and worked my way up holding postions over the years as: Administrative Assistant, Environmental, Safety and Health Specialist, Senior Safety Specialist, and Facilities Manager all in the Maintenance Division. I then moved into Department Manager, and then to the Engineering Group to oversee a critical rebuild project.

In 1997, our little horse farm was hit by the flood. We lost everything. We did not qualify for FEMA grants, so 2 years before our farm was paid for, we found ourselves rebuilding again from scratch.

When the opportunity came, I took a buy-out timed with my husband’s retirement to fulfill a life-long dream: owning my own business. We started with the horses, and also began doing safety consulting for small local businesses.

Because of the flooding, we realized there was more structural damage to the house than we had thought and our son’s health began to become problematic. We discovered the house was full of mold, so we moved, and got more training in mold testing and home inspection.

We have been performing home and mold inspections of residential and commercial properties, as well as teaching future and current home inspectors. In 2007 I launched our newest endevor: An on-line continuing education training school.

I am at a place in my life where I feel I can do a service to the community I have loved all my life. When we taught in Cleveland, some of my fondest times were telling them about Jackson County, the rich history of it (Mr. Robert Irwin would be proud) and making fun of my own accent!

I am concerned about our loss of jobs, the lack of initiatives to recruit new businesses and the lack of partnering with the State on incentives to attract industry and research.

Because of my years of work experience, hardships, and goodtimes, I know I have a lot of fresh ideas, that also blend with the proud farming tradition of this community. I look forward to serving you, and would be honored to have your vote in November 2008.