(3) What would be your priorities, in order, in the next two years?
Alston: The first priority is getting the city on firm financial footing. This is intertwined with taking measures to help improve the economic situation for our citizens by encouraging economic development. The third priority would be to address crime, and fourth to continue our cleanup efforts.
Gupton: Financial plan, crime and dilapidated housing.
Harper: My priorities for the next two years are:
First – continuing current or improving services for our customers, the citizens of Henderson, without a tax or user fee increase. This includes garbage and recycling pickup, street lighting, crime prevention and control, fire prevention and control, street maintenance and lighting, code enforcement, recreation, water and sewer. I firmly believe this can be done having already studied the current 2005-06 city budget, and I’d like the opportunity to work with the council to achieve this goal.
One way to supplement property taxes, user fees, and sales and utility taxes is through federal and state grants. Henderson and Vance County is the No. 1 most distressed area of the state – with one of the highest unemployment rates and decreasing population. If we can’t get grants for needed services, we must not be doing something right. I have successfully lobbied for Henderson in both Washington and Raleigh.
Second – studying other cities’ use of funds received for drug busts on the interstate to find creative programs to reduce as much as possible the negative effects of drugs within our city. Henderson has received well over $300,000 in just the past year that we need to put to use for our citizens.
Third – encouraging programs for renters to become homeowners and beginning to convert entire small neighborhoods, such as the Orange/Pettigrew Street area, to first-time homeownership. As chairman of the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing, we know that the city does not have money for this initiative – but with the city’s support we will be able to get support from state and federal programs.
Daeke: First, to use all my skills to help each council member to realize the potential and worth of each other, so that we can work together proactively to come to consensus on issues. Second, to begin long-range planning efforts to prioritize Henderson’s most prevalent needs, balanced with our ability to afford them. (This must be done with the collaboration of the county.) Third, to make Henderson a safer and cleaner community for present citizens as well as those who might make it there home. This last issue will include efforts to collaborate with all entities for resources to acquire better-paying jobs so that citizens can enjoy homeownership and feeling like they are a part of a community.
Yount: First, we need to provide new direction and a fresh vision for Henderson. Second, we need to lay out and plan completely all our infrastructure needs with all the price tags attached so we can start addressing in the correct order whether we need wastewater treatment, inflow system correction, or a water treatment plant. What good will water do us if we don’t have the pipes to carry it and the pipes to take away waste and the facility to treat waste? Third, to insure that we live within our means, we need to go to performance based budgeting where goals are set, measured, and reported on by each department.
Wester: My No. 1 priority will be to help the council accomplish the goals that THEY collectively agree upon with a clear understanding of revenues and expenses. Second, our infrastructure needs are well documented, and I trust the council will recognize that it is critical that we address them in a manner that makes financial sense. Focusing on what is already on the table is what is needed, and that can and will happen IF the council works as a team WITH clear and realistic direction to management.