Is the Village’s current level of taxation/fees enough to keep pace with current and future infrastructure needs? If not, what should be the solution?
Given the current number of projects in the works, the answer is “yes.” This Council and our staff work very hard to make sure our budget is sufficient for the projects that Council chooses to pursue. If a future Council desired to do more projects, in particular more substantial paving projects on Village-maintained streets, the answer is “no.”
To maintain our tax rate while addressing our road maintenance issues, we have sought professional help from a third-party vendor to rate our roads and recommend projects. Essentially, instead of continuing to grease squeaky wheels, we will try to make sure they do not squeak in the first place. Based on input we’ve received from other municipalities using this vendor, we feel confident that it will pay dividends, help reduce costs, and ensure that our road maintenance is better planned.
As for other infrastructure projects like sidewalks and greenways, we are moving several projects through the system. If elected to a second term, I would like to encourage the Council to work with our new planner to come up with a comprehensive sidewalk and greenway plan to compliment the sidewalks we currently have going, which include: (1) Jerry Long to Tanglewood Park via Harper Road/Peace Haven, (2) Hampton Road to Tanglewood Park via Idols Road, and (3) Middlebrook to Tanglewood Park via 158.
I think when you combine these solutions with the former median project (which will improve nearly every major intersection in the main corridor), the Council will have flexibility in the coming years to determine whether to keep the current tax rate or increase it in order to complete more infrastructure projects.
How important is it for government to effectively communicate with citizens? Is Clemmons an effective communicator? How could communication be improved?
I believe it is very important to communicate, and over the last two years the Village’s outreach and communication has been greatly improved. Right now, we advertise nearly everything we do online and on social media. Our meetings are streamed lived and archived on YouTube. Since I took office, I have worked with our clerk to make sure that every document online is searchable through our website’s search bar.
I believe the next most important step in our communication will be to get live updates on projects online in an easy to digest format. We are working with staff right now to make that happen. I think we also need to create a coordinated campaign to inform residents of some of the new procedures they can take advantage of, like our new traffic calming policy and procedure manual.
I am always open to any ideas that might improve communication and transparency. When I was running in 2017, it was really hard to find out what the Council was doing. I’ve done my best to work with this Council to make sure that changed immediately, and we are always looking for ideas to make our communication better.
What skills make you the best candidate to represent the citizens of Clemmons?
There are a couple important issues coming up in the next two years, including our contract with the Sheriff and finding a final resolution to the former Idols Road Industrial Park to name a couple.
My campaign has focused on how I will help the new Council take on these issues for the benefit of the whole community. My opponent has instead focused on how he intends to force his agenda if he is elected.
I am a team player, and I do not believe there is a more important attribute or skill for being mayor. My training as an attorney and experience as a small business owner are also helpful, but not as pivotal as focusing on being a servant-leader. There are certainly projects and priorities that I have on my platform for 2020, but none of those items have a chance unless the Council sees a benefit. I know that working as a team will ensure that all good ideas are heard and thoughtfully considered.
Why do you want to serve?
I like solving problems, and I sincerely enjoy working with the Council to do just that. As I said above, there are several important issues coming up in the next two years, and I know I am the best mayoral candidate to lead the Village through those issues.
What's the most pressing issue facing Clemmons right now? Has the Village done enough to address it? What should be done moving forward?
Growth outside the Village limits is the most serious issue affecting our infrastructure and resources. During my first term we significantly strengthened our relationships with neighboring municipalities, and we are now working with Lewisville and the County to develop a plan for smarter growth in the Blanket Bottom area. We need to continue to expand these kinds of joint efforts to solve our broader traffic and congestion issues.
How important is “the way we’ve always done things” when making decisions?
I think it depends on the issue. Sometimes rejecting an existing procedure will result in serious unfairness, and so it might be important to retain some part of an existing procedure even if it has flaws. Other times the status quo is clearly inadequate and it’s easy to leave it.
Personally, I lean toward rejecting the status quo. I strongly believe in preserving history, but that is not the same thing. History doesn’t demand that something always be done a certain way just because it’s always been done that way. To me, a good idea is a good idea, and if it’s better than what you’ve got, why not run with it?
Name an issue that came before the council where you AGREED with the final vote, and why.
Our Council recently decided to hire new legal counsel for the Village. It was a very difficult decision, but I agreed with the outcome. Given the current issues we face, it was important to make sure our legal counsel fit our needs.
It was one of the few times we have had a split vote over the last two years, but I was very proud of the way everyone was able to debate, vote, and move on without division and infighting. Like other difficult issues, I worked a lot of hours to make sure it was facilitated well.
Name an issue that came before the council where you DISAGREED with the final vote, and why.
When I first took office, the Council decided not to paint our logo on the water tower. I have long advocated for the Village’s entryways and public spaces to be improved and enhanced. It’s never made sense to me why we have a blank water tower. Fortunately, the issue came before the Council again under different circumstances, and we are in the process of getting that done with a tribute to West Forsyth High School. Now for the entryways . . .
Why do so few people vote in municipal elections?
Honestly, I do not know, but my wife, Claire, and I are always trying to recruit new voters. My guess is that as long as the State of the Village is good, people do not see the need to engage.
