Key Facts
Background
Kathy S. Tagnesi graduated from LPN school in Glendale, West Virginia, then obtained an Associate Nursing Degree from LSU-Alexandria, a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Oklahoma State University. She has also graduated from the INSIGHT Citizens Academy, and holds an active multi-state RN license [1].
Tagnesi is former Vice President of Nursing/Patient Care at Winchester Medical Center. In this position, she led the WMC team to achieve MAGNET Status, the highest level of nursing excellence. Tagensi is currently Board Chair for the Westminster-Canterbury Foundation, and was formerly on the Social Services Advisory Board, was Board Chair and Interim Director for the Sinclair Medical Clinic, and was Director of Health Professions at Laurel Ridge Community College. She has also worked as a front-line healthcare worker [1, 2, 4, 8].
While living overseas, Tagnesi spent 3 years teaching English as a second language, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tagnesi was part of the vaccine team at Shenandoah University and Apple Blossom Mall. During the 2011 holiday season, she co-launched the “Made in America and Buy Local” campaign. Tagnesi has spoken at the national level on disaster preparedness. She is also active in Sacred Heart church activities and has completed the Shenandoah University Faith Community Program [2, 4].
After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Tagnesi assembled health care providers to join the Mercy ship that sailed to Banda Acea and other regions in southeast Asia. The Sri Lankan Ambassador personally thanked Tagensi for her efforts, and upon their return, the volunteers were invited by President Bush to the White House and personally thanked by him [2].
Key Issues
Communication
In preparation for the election, Tagensi has knocked on every door in Ward 4, written a personal letter to every resident of the ward, and met with firemen, first responders, and CEOs of businesses whom she plans to advocate for on City Council [1].
Economy
Tagnesi plans to control taxes and regulations, especially equipment taxes, personal property taxes, and meal taxes. She plans to monitor the economic impact of Winchester’s growth on citizens and businesses [4].
Education
Tagnesi plans to ensure competitive salaries for teachers, nurses, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers. She supports parental input. Tagnesi aims to provide alternative education programs and improve access to STEM education programs [1, 4].
Infrastructure
Tagensi seeks to surround Winchester with infrastructure to support its growth. She plans on emphasizing improvements on parking, traffic, and green spaces, and providing housing and business infrastructure support [4].
Public Safety
Tagnesi plans to ensure adequate budget and staffing for first responders including police, firefighters, EMT/paramedics, and 911 Operators [1, 4].
Transparency
Tagnesi plans to increase transparency by creating communication between City Council and the staff and citizens of Winchester, speaking up and disagreeing when needed, and ending the system of strategic planning to include transparency at the earliest stages [4].
Endorsements
Elizabeth Minor, Former Mayor Of Winchester; Republican Committee of Winchester Virginia
Sources
1 The Winchester Star – Winchester City Council
2 The Winchester Star – Open Forum
3 Ballotpedia
4 Citizens for Kathy
5 Winchester VA GOP
6 Facebook
7 Virginia Department of Elections
8 Linkedln
9 The Northern Virginia Daily