6) Explain your stance on the Certificate of Occupancy.
Mayor
James David (Pete) O’Geary (no incumbent in race): No response submitted.
Jeanne Hight (no incumbent in race): IF I AM ELECTED MAYOR OF HENDERSON AND I HAD TO BREAK A TIE I WOULD VOTE YES TO THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS COO IS GOING INTO THE TENANT HOME AFTER THEY MOVED IN. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY WRONG BUT DANGEROUS TO THE TENANT. IT WOULD BE ALMOST INPOSSIBLE TO THOROUGHLY INSPECT A HOME OR APARTMENT WITH ALL THE FURNITURE IN THE ROOMS AND AGAINST THE WALLS. I WOULD WANT THE CITY INSPECTOR TO MADE SURE THERE WAS A FIRE ALARM INSTALLED IN THE HOME. I BELIEVE THAT A STATE LAW MANY YEARS AGO STATED THAT A FIRE ALARM MUST BE INSTALLED IN A RENTAL HOME. I LIVE AROUND RENTERS ALL THE TIME IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SOME LAND LORDS KEEP THEIR PROPERTY UP AND OTHERS ARE A DISGRACE TO THE COMMUNITY. LANDLORDS MUST MAKE A PROFIT IN ORDER TO STAY IN BUSINESS, BUT THEY MUST NOT ABUSE THEIR TENANTS WITH NO SCREENS ON THE WINDOWS AND DOORS, NO FIRE ALARMS FOR SAFETY AND THEY MUST HAVE A SAFE AND PROPER SOURCE OF HEAT.
Ward 1
Mary Emma Evans (Incumbent): No response submitted.
George W. King, Sr. (Challenger): I fully understand the confidentially of the tenants, although, the Certificate of Occupancy to a certain degree is needed. This will serve in assisting this town to keep up its housing standards.
Ward 1 At Large
Bernard Alston (Incumbent): No response submitted.
Sara Coffey (Challenger): I think that everyone needs safe housing with well functioning systems such as heating, plumbing and electrical. This is important for both for the occupants and neighborhood safety.
I think that a Certificate of Occupancy is an acceptable measure to assure living standards. I believe that the efforts to improve housing will be an ongoing process in order to adopt measures that are specific to our challenges.
Ward 2
Bobby Gupton (Incumbent): I support it fully. The housing stock in Henderson must be improved if we are to attract industry. The city staff says it is a tool they need and I am in complete agreement. Since the majority of the landlords state their property is in good shape, I fail to see the problem. All the citizens of Henderson deserve a clean, safe place to live.
Mike Rainey (Challenger): No response submitted.
Ward 2 At Large
Lynn Harper (Incumbent): I completely support the City of Henderson having a Rental Certificate of Occupancy. I believe it will go a long way toward each Citizen having a decent, safe place to live. As explained in question three–this will have a ripple effect throughout the city–first making renters feel safer and more positive about themselves. Livability in neighborhoods and human relations will improve. Public safety, schools, property values, tourism, and economic development will improve. Ultimately even the property managers will be more successful–as we understand has happened in other cities.
Michael Inscoe (Challenger): No response submitted.
Ward 3
Garry Daeke (Incumbent): The CO should begin April 1, 2008. Staff needs to be hired and trained. The community, esp. tenants, need information and education as to how it will work. The council will revisit the issue of inspections pre/post tenant occupancy, and I believe we will change that to pre-inspection. Each month a report will be provided by the manager from staff as to numbers of inspections, issues discovered, etc. to determine the CO effectiveness and on-going need(s).
Frank Terry (Challenger): No response submitted.
Ward 3 At Large
Brenda Peace (Challenger): No response submitted.
Elissa Yount (Incumbent): I want decent and safe housing for everyone. I am in favor of a systematic approach to inspecting rental properties through a rental permit. I believe it is the responsibility of government to do for people what they might not be able to do for themselves. The city should insist on decent housing standards for all tenants.
Ward 4
Horace P. Bullock (Challenger): No response submitted.
Lonnie Davis (Incumbent): No response submitted.
Ward 4 At Large
George Daye (Challenger): No response submitted.
Lora Durham (Challenger): No response submitted.
Ranger Wilkerson (Incumbent): I feel this was a necessity to improve living conditions for all people who are classified as residential renters. This is not intended to hurt anyone but is intended to help those in need of better living conditions.