Brenden Jones – N.C. House District 46 (Robeson County)

1. Why do you wish to serve or continue to serve in the NC General Assembly?

We need more business minded people to have a voice in Raleigh. As a businessman I understand the importance of bringing jobs to my community and North Carolina as a whole. I want to provide a voice for the rural parts of North Carolina and ensure that the decisions made are going to benefit everyone and not just the metropolitan areas.

2. What are the top three challenges facing North Carolina and how do you propose to address them through your office?

1. We need to create more jobs and have someone who can help work around the bureaucracy that is slowing down our economic growth.

2. We need to work with transportation officials and DOT engineers to come up with comprehensive ideas that will improve our infrastructure.

3. We need to make sure we continue to keep our families’ safety one of our top priorities.

3. There is a statewide issue with unmaintained roads in neighborhoods recently referred to as “orphaned roads.” A bill was introduced in the General Assembly this year but did not move forward. What are your thoughts for solving this problem?

There needs to be a reintroduced bill with stronger language pertaining to this matter. As a representative from a rural area I have a full understanding of this issue and know the importance of passing legislation to upgrade these unmaintained roads.

4. What NEW ideas or incentives can you suggest to attract business into the region?

I’ve seen the importance of making North Carolina more competitive in competing with South Carolina to attract businesses to our area. As a small business owner close to the state line I’ve seen firsthand the amount of businesses that choose our southern counterpart when it comes to

locating a business and the effect it can have on a community. In order to become more competitive, we will have to offer incentives similar to what South Carolina does.

5. Do you support a further extension of a tax on services in North Carolina? Why or why not?

No, as a multiple business owner I believe we can’t continue to fund solely through taxes. We could look into putting a committee together to study alternatives to funding outside of extending service taxes.

 

Susan Byerly – N.C. Senate District 12 (Harnett & Lee)

 

  1. Why do you wish to serve or continue to serve in the NC General Assembly?

I feel my life experiences both personally and professionally have prepared me to represent the people of Lee, Harnett and Johnston Counties. I have worked in the fields of education, business and healthcare for over 30 years and bring a wealth of knowledge in these areas. I have also spent my entire life in this region of N.C. and have devoted myself to public service.

I am also frustrated in the direction N.C. is going, as it seems we are going backwards instead of forward.

 

  1. What are the top three challenges facing North Carolina and how do you propose to address them through your office?

Education, Environment and the Economy, which are all interrelated. We must focus on improving our educational system which impacts our economy and the ability of our workforce to grow. The prospect of fracking and also the coal ash dumping is of particular interests to our area of the state and also is related to our economic development. We must introduce bills that will protect our environment and also improve our state as a viable option for economic development and growth.

 

  1. There is a statewide issue with unmaintained roads in neighborhoods recently referred to as “orphaned roads.” A bill was introduced in the General Assembly this year but did not move forward. What are your thoughts for solving this problem?

Research indicates that our infrastructure is about 30 years behind and dangerous. Again, this not only has a direct relation to our safety, but to the economic development opportunities. This issue must be addressed and quickly and could provide jobs that would support our economy.

 

  1. What NEW ideas or incentives can you suggest to attract business into the region?

 

First of all, we must get high speed internet and gas lines all over our area in order that we can attract major businesses. We must also offer incentives such as tax breaks, etc. in order to become a viable location for consideration.

 

  1. Do you support a further extension of a tax on services in North Carolina? Why or why

I am unsure as to the equity of this tax, as it seems to be cutting into the pockets of not only the consumers, but the business owners also. It seems this should be revisited based on feedback from the citizens.

Wade Fowler – Cumberland County Commission Candidate

Fayetteville Regional Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

Serving REALTORS® in Fayetteville & surrounding areas

County Commission Questionnaire – Page 2

Responses on this page will be published on the FRAR Government Affairs Page

for review by our members and the public

1. Why do you wish to serve or continue to serve in public office?

I am a native of Cumberland County and have called it home for most of my life. Service has been key to my life ever since I left Fayetteville to serve my country as a tactical combat aircraft pilot. When I returned, I became active in service to my church, and it spilled over into community service. I have served on the Fayetteville City Council and currently serve on the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. I am not afraid to tackle tough problems head-on, as I demonstrated during my term on the council. I would like to bring a fresh viewpoint to the County Board of Commissioners if I am blessed to be elected.

2. What are the top three challenges facing your county and how do you propose to address them through your office?

A. Moribund economic growth. We need to take a fresh approach like the method known as economic gardening to create an environment that allows small to mid-sized local companies add capacity and expand markets outside of the local area.

B. Increased pressure on social services provided. As we grow the economy, the byproduct should be a reduction in need of the social services network. More emphasis on skills training for healthy individuals can help move the unemployed into productive lives. We can partner with non-governmental groups such as the CAPITAL Apartment program that houses ex-felons that trains and prepares them to reenter the marketplace.

C. Low community esteem. Our community often is our own worst enemy. We have on several occasions helped prevent companies from moving here by giving negative opinions to operatives they sent to scout the community. Commissioners have a responsibility to help our citizens to focus on the many positives of our communities.

3. There is a statewide issue with unmaintained roads in county neighborhoods recently referred to as “orphaned roads.” A bill was introduced in the General Assembly this year but did not move forward. What are your thoughts for solving this problem?

Since the public roads in the state that are outside the limits of municipalities are state maintained, it is an issue that must be resolved at the state level. I know from the experience I had when I put a road in, I was required to pave it to state standards before they would take it in and maintain it. It is more difficult if the road already exists and you have multiple parties involved, but forcing taxpayers to bear the load is not appropriate in my opinion.

4. What NEW ideas or incentives can you suggest to attract business into the region?

I believe the idea of economic gardening that encourages growth of existing small to medium-sized companies needs to be tried. Some of the economic dollars being spent to lure the “big fish” could be diverted to provide marketing research and growth development support to help our local companies expand market reach and experience sales growth. This will provide more lasting jobs that are not reliant on short term incentives.

5. What steps, if any, would you take to improve your county’s property valuation process in the years ahead? Why do you think these steps are necessary?

I have not looked closely enough at the methods the county uses to determine the accuracy of the process. It would seem appropriate to use similar valuation procedures use by certified appraisers to determine valuation.