(2) Why are you the right person for the job?
Alston: I am the right person for the job because of my ability to see the big picture. I understand how issues overlap, intertwine, and impact upon each other. I bring passion into the picture, but my passion is tempered by practicality.
Gupton: I consider myself to be the right person for the job because I am concerned, have over 39 years of leadership training, I work well with others, I am capable of accepting others’ views, and my only interest in being on the City Council is to help the city through the difficult time that we are experiencing.
Harper: As an entrepreneur, I have experience with budgeting, working with audited financial statements, human resources, negotiating contracts and working with customers. All of these transfer directly to the issues that concern the City Council.
In the printing business, we always looked for ideas from companies that had been where we wanted to go. This benchmarking helped us stay on the cutting edge – not the bleeding edge – of new technology and management practices. We avoided reinventing the wheel many times and made great allies along the way that benefited us for the long term. Bringing this experience to the City Council would help us get a lot of FREE advice that we could adapt to our situation. As chairman of the Clean Up Henderson! Committee and the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing, we have learned so much that has benefited our citizens – from Roanoke Rapids, Wilson, Gastonia, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Troy.
With very little in our savings account (fund balance), Henderson needs creative solutions that don’t cost money. I have proven that I am a creative problem solver. The Clean Up Henderson! Committee has never had any funds from the taxpayers or any authority – even though it was formed by and is endorsed by the City Council. We only advise the City Council and encourage the city staff to enforce ordinances. In spite of these limitations, we have raised over $30,000 in small amounts from local supporters of this effort. Also, we successfully lobbied our legislators in Raleigh and received $100,000 to help clean up our city.
Also, if elected I will be ready to serve. As a retiree, I have the time and desire to serve. I have already reviewed the current budget, the city’s ordinances, and toured all the city’s facilities except the Garnett Street fire station.
I get along well with everyone I work with in the community and have no business alliances with anyone besides my husband in the city or county. Our only business interests here now are the Harperprints building and its 46 acres. If elected, I will not be influenced by anyone in my decisions and will donate any salary to the Friends of Clean Up Henderson.
Daeke: Experience and volunteer work: Henderson Zoning Board of Adjustment, Henderson Planning Board, Downtown Development Commission, Advance Strategic Planning Commission, United Way board, American Red Cross board, Leadership Vance, Leadership North Carolina, VOICE, Boys & Girls Club steering committee. Career work: Area Mental Health and FGV Partnership for Children. All my work and community efforts have been to assist others while working to make Henderson a better place for all citizens to live. I believe in the value of the opinions of all citizens and believe that, working together, we can solve our problems. I have my own beliefs, but listen to all citizens and owe no one.
Yount: I have common sense, I have insight into our problems, I am not devoted to money, prestige, or power, I like new ideas, and I am not vested in the status quo. I will not say one thing and do another, and I can shoulder responsibility. I listen and respond to concerns and I learn from others. I research to find information for myself, and I get that information into the hands of the citizens. I believe in open, accountable government and I believe in active citizen participation and input into their government. This is why I am the right person, at the right time, for the job.
Wester: I understand the issues and how they all fit together. I have an appreciation for the reasons and history behind our community’s successes and our failures. Henderson needs leadership that can work side by side with people that have differences of opinion and background to bring solutions forward.