City of Washington

Office campaigning for:

Washington City Council

What is your current job title?

Retired

What is your highest level of education?

BS in Elementary Education

If elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

Continue to work towards improving and maintaining our city's infrastructure as well as its aesthetic appearance for the benefit and enjoyment of all its residents.

If elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

I will continue to advocate for the addition of a full-time information officer whose top priority will be to use all forms of communication methods to keep the public closely engaged and fully informed.

Why should voters choose you for the position you are running for?

If the voters are looking for a fair and trustworthy person who will represent all the citizens of Washington with integrity and honesty, they will vote for me.

What three things about you do you most want voters to know?

I take my role and my decisions on city council very seriously; am deeply committed to the success and prosperity of Washington and all its residents and always strive to be fair and objective.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

Please make every effort to get to know the candidates before you vote. Feel free to call me if you have any questions, 305-905-3055.

Office campaigning for:

Washington City Council

What is your current job title?

Chief Behavioral Health Officer

What is your highest level of education?

Master’s degree.

If elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

My top priority will be to make sure the citizens’ voices are heard. Many are voicing concerns regarding affordable housing and revitalization efforts in other parts of the city besides the waterfront. I want to make sure that there is, at least, discussion regarding this.

If elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

I will involve individuals by letting them know what’s on the agenda and encouraging participation in meetings. I will also solicit discussion through social media, scheduled Zoom meetings, and having them call in their views and/or discussions to our telephone line.

Office campaigning for:

Washington City Council

What is your current job title?

City planning consultant

What is your highest level of education?

Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning Law Degree (J.D.)

If elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

My number one priority is to put Washington's people at the heart of strategies for our city. We need *everyone's* ideas and insights. We can't afford to leave anyone behind, nor can we afford to ignore the contributions that everyone is able to make to our city's vision. Our city depends on the involvement of its people. Decisions should be made openly, not in back rooms, and not by "insiders". This is the key to unlocking Washington's potential while also preserving what people love about our city. Public involvement is the *key* to all the other priorities, from safer streets, to housing and neighborhoods, to economic development, to environmental quality and clean water, to balancing the budget and managing stormwater and drainage better. I firmly believe in and commit to the project of open government, where we base our decisions as a city on the priorities of its people. We need to move beyond the old way of telling people what is going to happen in Washington and then listening to the complaints roll in. People complain *after the fact* because they are not included *before the decisions are made.* I've worked very hard to open up our decision-making to the people while I have been in my first two-year term on City Council. For example: - I pushed to include a new position of Public Information Officer on our city staff - now we have one for the first time to provide accurate information to people in our city. - I advocated against dismissing our city Electric Utilities Board -- we need more citizen input through boards and commissions, not less. - I successfully spearheaded a public-driven vision plan for the 15th Street Corridor. The plan was powered by public input through a variety of meetings, focus groups, polls, paper and electronic surveys, and open pin-up sessions. Everyone who wanted to contribute could be heard. As a result, we have a clear, consensus vision for improvements to this important business and residential corridor -- instead of a back-room deal! The only legitimate source of power in our governmental system is THE PEOPLE. I look forward to serving a second term and finding more ways to exercise our "public participation muscles"!

If elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

I will continue to involve my constituents -- all of Washington -- in similar ways as I have done in my first term: -- I provide periodic UPDATES to the public on my City Council Facebook page so that people can know and understand what actions Council is considering or is taking. -- I go to community events and listen to what people have to say. -- I am especially committed to hearing from under-served persons and populations that have been "done to" in the past. -- I am very responsive to emails, phone calls, and requests for personal meetings with citizens. -- I actively reach out to non-profit and neighborhood groups to see how the City can work with those organizations on matters of interest to the public. Most importantly: -- I don't just SAY I want to involve people, I actively WORK to make the City and its processes more inclusive of public involvement. --- For example, I was the leading advocate for a citizen-led planning process for the 15th Street Corridor, with the primary objective of hearing from all people who wished to make their voices heard about the future of that dangerous but very important and neglected street. --- Another example: I worked with volunteers and interested groups to establish a Litter Prevention Task Force after hearing numerous complaints about the amount of litter in our waterways and roadsides. --- Another example: I believe in having the discussion of issues and decisions AT THE COUNCIL TABLE, in PUBLIC. I do not believe in having a "meeting before a meeting" and then just taking a vote. In our system of government, THE PEOPLE are the source of all legitimate exercise of governmental authority. I am totally committed to that founding principle!

Why should voters choose you for the position you are running for?

I have over 20 years of experience in municipal government as a city planner, in economic development, citizen participation, visioning and strategic planning, land use and zoning, downtown development, and strengthening neighborhoods. I have two years of experience on Council now, and accomplished many items during my first term: -- our city's first bike lanes -- first new sidewalks were constructed in neighborhoods that very much needed them -- installed traffic calming measures -- accomplished a public-led vision plan for 15th Street so that NCDOT will build street improvements that the city's people want, not just what Raleigh wants -- better stormwater drainage improvements for neighborhoods that are chronically flooded during rain events, -- tuned the city's first ever Public Information Officer -- approved indoor Harbor District Market HVAC and electrical improvements -- a revitalized downtown with badly-needed utility infrastructure pipes and wiring, along with streetscape improvements for seating, lighting, outdoor dining, bike parking, and much more -- support of the Housing Authority's homeownership initiative -- finding ways to support the long-term fiscal sustainability of our municipal airport -- tree protection measures -- a brand-new all-abilities playground in a location right in our core neighborhoods can get to it -- made first-stage progress towards a stream restoration plan for Jack's Creek, our primary (very polluted) urban waterway -- next step is to accomplish this plan and make it a clean, restored creek with environmental value and recreational amenities for our neighborhoods in the heart of town. This can be "Washington's Second Waterfront" -- a balanced budget with no tax increase both years I was on council. I am the foremost advocate on City Council for accountability to our public. I am an active, doing kind of Councilor. I believe in strategizing and working for progress, not just resting between monthly meetings and showing up on meeting day to vote yes or no on things that city staff puts before us. I am the only working-age person on Council who is not retired, yet I believe you will find that I am the most active and involved member of Council. I try to put clear principles and reasons to my every vote. I research everything before I vote on it. You will always know where I stand, and *why* I take a position. My track record from my first term speaks for itself. Want me to keep going? I will! For this, I need your vote.

What three things about you do you most want voters to know?

1. I have the experience and knowledge of municipal government -- from my career in city planning and local government law -- to be effective on City Council, and from a successful track record of significant accomplishments during my first term. 2. I believe in hearing from everyone who wants to be heard. This part of my belief in my accountability to the public. -- I try my best to equalize the opportunity for ALL people to be active participants in their local government. This mean making efforts to reach out to those who have not been well served. -- Above all, everything I do must be accountable to the public, to the public good, and to people's vision for what our city should be. 3. I am an active, DOING kind of City Councilor. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours in my first term on hands-on involvement, advocacy, leadership on issues, and commitment. -- I do my best to live up to my belief that a City Councilor should be active, should communicate, and should be publicly accountable. -- I believe City Council should be directing our city towards an overarching strategic vision based on public input, not passively waiting around for staff to come up with things for us to vote on.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

I believe our city is the best in eastern North Carolina. I am hopeful that people are pleased with my service on Council in my first term. It is my pleasure to meet and hear from YOU as we plan a future together for our city! I look forward to continuing to serve Washington and hope that you will want me to continue in a second term.

Office campaigning for:

Washington City Council

What is your current job title?

Semi-retired photographer

What is your highest level of education?

Community college, working towards returning to college

If elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

My top interest will be to seek equity in the community. To create programs to involve all cities for an example a citizens youth council.

If elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

Regular meeting in neighborhoods and reach out to all interested citizen more.

Why should voters choose you for the position you are running for?

I am a firm believer that education is the key to making so much better. I have led the state League of Cities and the first thing I did when was voted in was to seek educational assistance from the UNC School of Government to improve my leadership skills. I have since also sought out other elected leaders to learn from them and to build relationships. I sought to rise and learn. I am a strong communicator. It is so important to talk and learn about people.

What three things about you do you most want voters to know?

I listen and I write down your concerns. I also follow up and explain the process.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

I will do what what I said I would do.

Office campaigning for:

Washington City Council

What is your current job title?

Director and Instructor at the Pharmaceutical Services Network at Pitt Community College, a program teaching participants how to manufacture pharmaceutical tablets and capsules. President of Shearit, LLC, a pharmaceutical product development company.

What is your highest level of education?

B.S Biochemistry, MBA – East Carolina University

If elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

Parts of Washington have come back to life and we need this economic development to continue spreading to all parts of the city. To support the new life and encourage expansion we must have the proper infrastructure in place to attract and support new businesses. To accomplish this, we must improve our city street systems. Many streets are in need of repair. We need sidewalks that connect all points of our city. Washington is a very walkable city, but it needs to be a safe walk for everyone, where pedestrians, bikers and vehicles are not competing for the same space. Managing and enhancing parking for all venues will also be a focal point. We’ve improved and increased shopping and entertainment options for downtown. Parking remains an issue, as it is in any area that grows. We must work with investors to provide accessible parking there and wherever we extend our economic growth plan across the city.

If elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

I get considerable informal public input on many items acted on by council. I hope that never changes. I also am in favor of getting more thorough input on key issues such as was done for the 15th Street project. The consultants for this project did a great job leading and managing the public input process. Coming up we are planning a public input session(s) to get feedback on how to best utilize the Cares Act money we have and will receive. We are also looking for a consultant group to help us with creating a 10-year comprehensive plan for Washington. In the selection process we will evaluate each company’s capability to effectively capture the public input.

Why should voters choose you for the position you are running for?

My strong roots here in Washington coupled with my professional experience put me in a good position to serve Washington and its people well. Family and friend ties have kept me connected to Washington all my life. My career in pharmaceuticals has allowed me to travel the world to work with, manage and develop various business units, in a wide range of cultural environments. In 2016 Karen and I decided we’d had enough of travels. Washington was our destination and we have not looked back. It’s what we love. It’s home.

What three things about you do you most want voters to know?

I committed to proactively serving Washington in its entirety. I very much want to hear input and feedback on my own and Council actions. I am committed to ensuring my decisions are informed, objective, fair and in the best interests of Washington and its citizens.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

Over my year on the Council I have been disappointed by the amount of disinformation making it to social media regarding city issues and business. I commit to making my decisions based on the real facts and I am happy to share and discuss my actions.

What is your current job title?

Retired Electrical Engineer

What is your highest level of education?

BA electrical engineering

If elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?

Youth retention and more housing choices for young professionals. Our graduates tend to believe they must move away from Washington to seek opportunities. Also, we need more programs and facilities geared toward the under-21 young adults. Young professionals often must find housing in other communities. The city can encourage the creation of living spaces suitable for these young professionals by making developers aware of opportunities in our city.

If elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?

As a city council member, I constantly and actively reached out to Washington residents for constructive conversations. I gave our residents opportunities to contribute the wealth of ideas that Washingtonians have. The city benefits from people's insights and solutions, based on their direct experience with our city's challenges. I'll continue to place great emphasis on open communication through multiple channels.

Why should voters choose you for the position you are running for?

Properly executing the responsibilities of a city council member requires a willingness to expend time, energy and to remain focused on the issues and initiatives. I've shown I am willing to perform a deep dive into anything that is presented to city council. I arrive at my decisions after extensive research and with the understanding that I must represent all of Washington's residents. During my past term on city council, I demonstrated a skillset that contributed to a productive city council that could examine the issues presented to it, engage in discussions and at times negotiate, then arrive at the best outcomes.

What three things about you do you most want voters to know?

During my career, I developed skills that are essential to being an effective city council member. As an electronics instructor in the military, I was tasked with educating technicians from various foreign militaries with which we were allied, such as Iran and Vietnam. That experience, along with my time in the corporate world, living and doing business in many countries, led to a perspective and knowledge that has served me well and will certainly benefit our community. Success in these prior ventures depended heavily on building a strong basis of long-term trust and this allowed me to refine and solidify a code of ethics which ensured a positive outcome for all parties involved. I maintained honor throughout my career, and I earned and retained the trust of all those all the people I dealt with and all who worked for me. I intend to maintain these standards and work tirelessly for our community.

Is there anything else you wish to say?

A city council needs vision. It should be a shared vision with its residents. Put simply, everyone strives toward making their lives better, to be able to say, "I love it here". A city council should put citizens' ideas and concerns at the heart of city business. Let's work together towards an inclusive community, where people of all socio-economic backgrounds enjoy a growing base of businesses, opportunities, and quality of life, where everyone can say "We love it here"!