Too Wordy for Yes

Yes Weekly sent a questionnaire about my views on local issues. I far exceeded my allotted 75 words per answer on some of the questions. YW edited my remarks in this week's edition. I am including the complete content of the answers I send to them.

To the folks at Yes. Thank you for publishing the views of candidates in their own words. Sorry there were too many of mine.

1. What is your position on the practice of giving taxpayer money to corporations to induce job creation and capital investment? Do you support the policy of economic incentives? What criteria, if any, do you think should be used to determine which corporations receive city funds?

Paying businesses and industries to locate in our area is not the right thing to do. That money should be spent on maintaining and improving the quality of life right here and in letting companies know that Greensboro is a great place to do business.

We have an abundant Workforce who are willing and Capable of learning new skills that will carry Greensboro into the future. Greensboro is Strategically Located and has Highways, Rail Service, Airport Facilities, Educational Institutions and Research Facilities. We have Art, Entertainment and wonderful Parks and Recreational areas. The Weather here is mild and offers Changing Beauty with every season. We should let business and industry know what a great place we have here. We don't have to pay business to come to our area.
I hear people say that they don't like economic incentives. The excuse for giving these bribes is "everybody is doing it." That sounds like a teenager's argument.


2. How do you feel about the independent Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its examination of the ideological tensions that spilled over into a deadly confrontation in November 1979? Do you think the city council should take a more active role in the truth process? If so, how? Should the city council take a stronger position against the truth process? Again, how?

Oral history in an atmosphere of understanding is a good thing. The findings of this commission should be added to the known history of the incident. City government should review the findings of the independent study when it is complete and respond at that time.

3. Should the city require developers to pay for things like sidewalks, multi-use trails and bike racks when they apply for permits for residential or retail developments to make our city more livable, or should the city take a hands-off approach to development? Explain your position.

The City Council should never take a hands-off approach to development. There are certainly areas where there is a need for required amenities. I believe that all new residential and commercial development should be pedestrian friendly and there should be safety provisions made for bike riders on through streets. Developers should be required to pay for sidewalks. Safety of auto and bike traffic should be primarily the duty of the city.


4. The Comprehensive Plan suggests that new growth be concentrated on the east side of Greensboro, yet this is not happening. Why not, and what can be done to encourage growth in that sector?

Infrastructure improvements and redevelopment of abandoned areas should be a major concern to the city government. Government should encourage development of employment opportunities in the area as well as shopping areas and a mix of property uses including moderate and higher-end single-family and multi-family residential. Better public transportation options should also be pursued.

5. Aside from basic services, in what areas do you favor spending discretionary taxpayer dollars? The Atlantic Coast Conference Museum? The Coliseum? The International Civil Rights Museum? Downtown park maintenance? Other projects?

Government should provide essential services and amenities that are not easily done individually. It is the job of City Council to decide what level of services will be provided with taxpayer's money.
I plan to review city services and fees and make recommendations to city council and staff concerning my findings.
More citizen involvement in deciding what services and amenities are provided is a key goal of mine. Budget restraints are always a consideration in these matters. Public funding of non-essential projects should be placed on the ballot with proper explanation and cost estimates. Citizens have a right to know how money is spent and a right to help decide how much. I favor citizen-initiated referendums, with a time limit on repeated requests.