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Durham County Commission
Note: NBC17 surveyed only those candidates who had opponents for the primary race. Although your partisan ballot on May 6 may contain more names than seen here, it is because the candidate does not have any same-party opposition and will appear on the November ballot without contest.
NBC17 did not change, alter or edit the responses from the surveys. The answers below are as written by each candidate.
Voters can pick five of the following Democrats for Durham County Commissioner:
Don Moffitt, Fred Foster Jr., Michael D. Page, Ellen Reckhow, Doug Wright, Brenda Howerton, Becky Heron, Josh Parker, Joe Bowser, Victoria Peterson. Peterson did not respond to the NBC17 survey.
Don Moffitt
Age: 52
Current Profession / Occupation: Consultant - Small businesses
Are you an incumbent? -- No
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
I envision a Durham that is safer, more affordable and sustainable--for all our neighborhoods, not just a few. Some specific issues we must address: Reducing the dropout rate Helping working parents Vocational training and new jobs Protecting rural land for jobs and food Efficient & responsive government Managing growth to encourage transit and resource conservation Sustainable building technologies for new county facilities.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county? None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
Actually my answer is that I don't have an opinion on them yet--both taxes have complex ramifications. Sales taxes are regressive; land transfer tax is less so but still regressive. Still, property tax rates are high in Durham County and other "sources of revenue" have value. County government delivers critical services--schools, public safety, mental health, public health, social services, long range planning and much more. We have to deliver these services more efficiently rather than just raise taxes.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
Growth is coming, like it or not. Where it's located will determine how we grow; the way it develops will determine our sustainability. We must encourage density in the transit station areas, so that rail can follow our growth. We need to ensure that development is designed to use the least of our resources as possible. Schools, roads, water, parks and more must be adequately provided for as we grow. Finally, we must work collaboratively with the rest of the region--we all rise together.
Ellen Reckhow
Age: 57
Current Profession / Occupation: Durham County Commissioner
Are you an incumbent? -- Yes
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
I have worked hard as county commissionerand charimean of the board - researching issues, asking tough questions, listening to citizen input, and striving for greater accountability. As a planner by training, I have advocated long term planning for our infrastructure and stron environmental stewardship. Ihave also strived to bring diverse interests together to find common ground solutions ot the complex issues that we face.
7 What political office are you running for? Please select one candidate grouping in the drop down list shown below. For example, if you're seeking election as a county commissioner in Orange County, select the "Wake Co. / Durham Co. / Orange Co. / Johnston Co. County Commissioner" group.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
I have not decided at this point whether either should be used. In the upcoming year, we will have a broad community discussion associated with a proposed 2009 school bond as to whether these revenue sources make sense for Durham County. I think it is important to allow the housing market to stabilize after the slump associated with the housing loan mess before discussing any new tax options.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
We need to promote sustainable development that protects the environment as we grow and allows for timely provision of infrastructure.
Doug Wright
Age: 51
Current Profession / Occupation: Manager of an ABC Store
Are you an incumbent? - No
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
I believe that I offer a new perspective, have proven my committment to our community by my service to the Durham Center over the last ten years helping people in need of mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services get what they need. Durham is my home, meaning I am actually from here and value our history and future in a way only a native son can do. There are many challenges ahead for our community and I believe I bring a voice of reason, a good ear, a strong work ethic, and the ability to bring consensus and effective change. I don't pretend to know everything or have all the answers, my goal is to do what is right, not always be right.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county? None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
It is my belief that the land transfer tax is punitive toward people who have worked hard , built some equity, and are trying to better themselves. We encourage home ownership, then we punish folks for owning homes. Sales tax increases should only occur if there are no other options and a decision to raise them cannot be made outside of a budget process.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
We have to continue to weigh each development on it's merits and if the infrastructure, including sufficient water supplies are available. Growth in Durham County has been reasonable for the most part, we just need to ensure we continue to grow smart. Our community is an attractive destination for developers and others because of our strong economic base, we need to make sure we maintain that advantage by being prudent in our efforts to grow as a community.
Josh Parker
Age: 24
Current Profession / Occupation: Historic Preservation Developer
Are you an incumbent? -- No
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
Durham needs. New Vision. New Leadership. New Direction. I am Josh Parker, a Durham native and I am running for the Durham County Commission. I am running because Durham needs new leadership with a strong voice and the ability to think critically about the issues facing our community. We need a leader that is open to implementing the creative strategies necessary to make Durham successful and sustainable. The decisions we make in the next 2-5 years will easily impact citizens over the next 20-50 years. Our hurdles are big but not insurmountable. I see our problems as interconnected, and many of the answers we need to succeed can be found through proper strategic planning and creating synergies that solve multiple problems simultaneously.
I will work to: • Optimize Local Government • Empower Durham’s Young People • Energize Leadership in the Region • Ensure Durham’s Prosperous Future I will work hard every day to make Durham better. I will listen to people all over Durham. I will build relationships across the region. I will do research and be prepared to make important decisions. I will be a County Commissioner Durham will be proud of. A vote for Josh is a vote for a strong and prosperous future.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
Both - Sales & Land Transfer Tax
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
Durham needs to work with other communities in the region to develop tax policy that will be fair and equitable as the area continues to grow. We need to diversify our tax base as much as possible and I would suggest that both the land transfer tax and the sales tax should be considered. However, neither should be considered in isolation. We should approach any new taxes as part of a broader look at the future or our tax policy. I point to legislation like HB 153 that provides a menu of tax options for local government. We need to get control of tax policy on the local level so that we can work with communities in the region to develop the best system for our citizens.
Elected officials must show that current dollars are being spent wisely and that new revenue sources are truly necessary. This education campaign is important. To levy new taxes we must begin taking pressure off of the property tax and show that the revenue sources will not have and adverse affect on any one part of the population. Only then can we have an equitable system that will provide for sustainable growth in the Triangle. More specifically on each revenue source we can currently consider: The Land Transfer Tax can be a good tool for managing growth, but this is not the right market to introduce it. In a normal market when the tax is introduced prices reset to absorb the tax so that sellers and buyers equally share in it. In a soft market, like the one we are entering, sellers will bear the full brunt of the tax because prices will not change.
Therefore sellers will lose equity in the home that they have earned. This causes a disincentive to re-invest in the community. Not only is the timing bad for the market, but there is too much pressure on land taxes already and the measure would likely fail on the ballot. The sales tax can be good for Durham because we have a large number of people who travel into our county, but do not live here. The last estimates were around 80,000 per day. This means we must provide additional services, but since there are no homes accompanying these people, there is no property tax revenue. The sales tax would allow us to capture some of this additional revenue potential. We must be careful when proposing any consumption based tax because they can become regressive. If we took a broader look at tax policy we could prevent this by providing rebates through other taxes for low income people. Both should be considered, but unless we have thoughtful elected officials who understand finance and tax policy we can easily get the choice wrong. Moreover, a hasty decision without effective leadership will likely fail on the ballot in Durham
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
Durham needs a comprehensive and sustainable strategic plan. We do not have a coherent strategy for land use planning or economic development. There is little framework for decision making related to growth and therefore most of our decisions are reactionary. Our area is growing and our lack of planning threatens to undermine our progress. Simply having a zoning code and comprehensive plan for land use is not enough. Our current business incentive policy is not adequate to recruit new jobs, retain jobs or grow our base of small businesses. We must look at our strengths, acknowledge our weaknesses, determine how we will be competitive as a community, and develop the policy tools that will ensure we grow in a manner suitable to the wants and needs of Durham citizens.
Becky Heron
Age: 80
Current Profession / Occupation: Durham County Commissioner
Are you an incumbent? -- Yes
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
I have almost 26 years on the BOCC (10 as Vice-Chairman) and 2 as Chairman). I served six years on the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to my election on the BOCC. This leadership, experience, know how and institutional knowledge on the local, state and national levels have proved valuable to the Commission on many issues. My government service has been recognized by awards such as the North Carolina Outstanding County Commissioner, the Herb Stout Regional Leadership Award, NC Jaycees One of the Outstanding Senior Citizens in North Carolina, and the North Carolina Intergovernmental Relations Award. One of the pleasures of working in County government is helping to solve people problems (human services needs, barking dogs, stopped-up ditches, etc.) and cutting through government red tape. Citizens know they can call me and get an answer (919-489-4402). I do put people first and I have a record to prove this.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
The County Commission along with the City Council is considering a 1% prepared food tax (5 cents on a $5.00 meal). The Legislature must approve allowing the voters to decide if they want this tax. We must have other sources of revenue as the only other source is the property tax. High property taxes especially hurt the elderly and even low income renters who will find the property tax passed on to them in the form of higher rent.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
There is nothing that can be done to stop growth, but you can try to have wise growth. This is accomplished by zoining so that development can be next to transportation hubs. Also development should be concentrated in the City so as to prevent urban sprawl and reduce the amount of transportation. This will also preserve our watersheds and open space.
Brenda Howerton
Age: 61
Current Profession / Occupation: Management Consultant
Are you an incumbent? -- No
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
The voters should elect me on Election Day because as a county commissioner I hope to work hard in concert with my colleagues, the City Council and the School Board to work on critical issues that are plaguing our community; to include but not limit to, slow economic growth, addressing the matter of problems related to disconnected and at-risk youth and looking for additional funding sources to finance many of the unmet needs for our community that we read about daily in our local press.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
No to the sales tax. As a flat rate tax. it disproportionately hurts the poor and middle class. Raising the same amount of money with a property tax increase, since businesses would be chipping in with the property tax increase. Developers and new residents would be paying the land transfer tax, somewhat like an impact fee. It's too small an amount to effect whether a property sells or not. And raising the same amount of money with a sales tax would cost the average person more-same as the property tax vs. sales tax example. A sales tax just takes businesses off the hook-they buy things wholesale and don't pay very little sales tax themselves. The land transfer tax has failed everywhere it's been voted on. There is no sense in having a referendum until Durham citizens get educated about the land transfer tax.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
We have to be careful of the avenues, making sure Durham citizens enjoy sustainable thriving neighborhoods with efficient well-maintained infrastructure. We need our infrastructure to accommodate our growth and we must make sure we are being smart in the way we lay out and incorporate new construction in the existing communities.
Joe Bowser
Age:: 56
Current Profession / Occupation: Retired Railroad Agent
Are you an incumbent? -- No
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
I served the citizens in this office for eight years and feel that my service warrant my continuation to serve. I have the experience to move our community forward and away from the ill that exist today. While serving before, I worked to reduce poverty, crime and enhance education. I had the vision to warn our leaders about the abundance of plea bargaining in our court system back in 2003/04, and led rallies and news conferences to bring an end to it. I spoke against the build-up of the criminal warrants in our judicial system. I also keep our taxes in check and was able to reduce them for several years. I supported economic development-jobs-for our citizens, and worked very hard to get them in those jobs.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
I believe sales taxes are already too high and are a regressive tax. It also hurts our ability to attract industry. The real estate industry is already hurting and we should not do anything to add further pain to it. I believe this tax would hurt affordable housing and organizations such as-Habitat for Humanity-that help to build affordable housing.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
We must balance industrial and residential growth. We need to look at this from a regional standpoint, because what one community does affects another community. This does not give one community total control over its growth. Therefore, it is hard to maintain a high quality of life for our citizens.
Fred Foster Jr
Age: 59
Current Profession / Occupation: Retired
Are you an incumbent? -- No
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
Durham County has a wealth of untapped talent that as Commissioner, I will tap into the untapped talent to provide the necessary resources to meet the community's need for smart growth, funding schools, and economic development. We need to be good stewards of our people's money. We need to offer services in the most economically and efficient way. I will use best practice and measureable outcomes as a guide in the decisions that I make. I have been a community activist for a decade trying to improve the community with the working family as my focal point. I bring with me a wealth of knowlege of the community's needs and the vision to see that those needs are met.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
One - Sales Tax
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
The land transfer tax was overwhelming voted against by 60% of the community, so that would not be a viable option for an elected official. Since we have the authority to raise the sales tax to help fund the growth we are experiencing, then that is the best solution for our revenue stream. I acknowledge that it will negatively impact the working poor, but it will be fair and will raise money from those who only work in Durham.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
Durham County needs to take a second look at the decisions that it makes with new development proposals. New projects should have a plan that includes Schools, Roads, and Firestations. I will ask for increased mass transit as an option. More buses to all areas of the county and develop a Master Transportation Plan for rail services. It will be cheaper to Foster support for the plan now. The plan will only cost more while we wait. Job creation must remain a priority in Durham County. Government should not be the mechanism for the creation of jobs, but government should foster an environment for the creation of jobs. I will focus on improving our housing stock. I will ask for the housing code to include energy conservation in our older homes. In improving our housing stock, some will be saved from fires, green jobs created, and increase property values. Durham has a rich history. We can do a better job increasing our tourist trade. I will promote land marks of more historic sites. The birth places of citizens that have made Durham and North Carolina a better place to live will bring pride to our neighborhoods and honor Durham heroes.
Michael Delano Page
Age: 48
Current Profession / Occupation: Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Executive Director, United Christian Campus Ministry, North Carolina Central University
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Why should voters select you on Election Day?
I want the voters of Durham County to select me on Election Day because I have proven track record of accountablity and serving the citizens of Durham in a professional manner. I have worked hard on behalf of the citizens of this community to ensure fair and equitable service, representing the interest of this community and improving the quality of live for our citizens. Voters will find out that I am involved in various aspects of the community, research the difficult questions and will seek an response to every citizens concerns. I serve on numerous boards and commissions to represent the interest of our citizens. I have a positive track record for meeting attendance and organizing grassroots efforts. Some of my involvement has been working closely with the Durham Criminal Justice Resource Center to ensure that we are responding to the needs of those who are considered to be entitled to a second chance. There are a high number of individuals who are experiencing difficulty obtaining employment due to barriers in the system.
My concern is to work diligently to reduce recidivism in our community and promoting a healthy and productive lifestyle. I serve on the Durham Department of Social Services and this is important to me because the poverty rate in Durham county remains high. We must seek alternatives to reducing the poverty rate and helping people get from welfare to a stable workforce. We must engage our community in seeking a safe enviroment for our children that they will feel protected and safe in thier homes. It is imperative that we reduce the number of child abuse cases in this county and continue to promote foster care for healthy and suitable living. Children are our most precious commodity and providing safe, alternative living is critical for thier success. It is also important that children are placed in quality day care that will ensure them prepared and ready for school Durham County is committed to providing high quality child care through programs such as Child Care Services and Durham Partnership for Children. Voting for me will also ensure that someone will continue to promote a global educational system for your children. I will continue to support initiatives that will reduce the dropout rate and increase literacy skills among our children.
It is also important that we have quality after school care for children to have an opportunity for enhancing social and recreational skills. I do believe that we must look at other alternatives to education to assist those students who are not successful in the classroom. Durham does deserve a high tech vocational school that will train and provide skills for students who opt not to attend college. We must continue to promote parental education so that our students are equip and ready for school. Finally, I serve on the library board of trustees and I am pleased to say that we have worked for this community to provide libraries throughout the county. The library system has done a great job of providing quality programs to enhance the services they offer. The state of the art library system is much to be proud of for our community. Among other opportunities for serving this community, I am pleased to be a part of the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness as I believe we will make significant strides in achieving this goal and serving with the Operation Breakthrough Board where we advocate on behalf of the disadvantaged in this community.
Counties in North Carolina now have the option to seek two new revenue options: a land transfer tax and a sales tax. Should one or both of these new revenue options be used in your county?
None Of Them Should Be Used
Please explain why you believe your answer to the previous question is the right decision for your constituents.
I believe that the citizens should make the decision to have either of these taxes impose upon them.
This area of North Carolina continues to grow. What is the best way to handle growth in your county and how can we balance that with maintaining a high quality of life?
We must maintain the growth in North Carolina by promoting sustainable growth. If we don't have the infrastructure in place to support growth then we should be reluctant to approve so many developments that are not supported by these areas. We can balance that with maintaining a high quality of life by supporting those areas that can handle the growth.
