I have received a candidate questionnaire from Bill Knight, who is running for an at-large seat. I appreciate his completing and returning the questionnaire. His responses, unfiltered, are as follows:
1. What do you regard as the single most important function or purpose of local government?
The provision of essential community services at the lowest possible cost to citizens is the single most important function of local government. These services include public safety; waste collection and disposal; transportation; water and sewer services, and parks and recreation.
2. What would be your specific plan or approach to attract new employers, and retain existing employers in the city?
I would work to restore the business friendly attitude of City Council. The Council agenda should include more business and economic related topics. Currently there is very little of this kind of discussion taking place. The contribution of small business to the economy must be recognized, emphasized, encouraged and supported at every opportunity by the city government.
I believe cooperation with other local governments coupled with participation in regional economic development initiatives-- centered on Fed Ex and PTI-- are essential to the future growth and prosperity of our city. Greensboro must seek new employers who bring higher job skills and the likelihood of becoming good corporate citizens. City Council must actively partner with business interests and our education system in seeking out new business; we should go wherever necessary to make the pitch for Greensboro as a choice business site and home. An exceptional employer opportunity should not require incentives; but if other cities are making a play with incentives we should compete, but only with certainty that the economic payback is guaranteed over a reasonable period of time and can be determined with certainty.
3. What would be your specific plan to reduce crime in the City of Greensboro?
I do not have a specific plan; however, I favor a restoration of the past good relationship between the police department and federal and state authorities in attacking crime through a coordinated task force approach. I believe some of the opportunity may have been thwarted and lost during the time the police chief was forced from office, along with the loss of a number of key experienced personnel. Unfortunately the police department will have to go through a period of renewal before it can effectively attack crime.
4. Would you ever vote in favor of a tax increase? No.
5. Are you going to seek or accept the endorsement of the Simkins PAC? No.
6. Are you going to seek or accept the support of TREBIC? No.
7. What would be your specific plan to clean up the Greensboro Police Department?
The GPD continues to be in disarray. Many experienced professionals have left the department; as a result the new command staff lacks the depth of experience and may not be capable of delivering the high quality of law enforcement that we had in the past. There is a shortage of sworn positions that need to be filled, but recruitment may not be working to fill the void. A program of intense ethics training should be initiated. Some officers remain who do not match the department's professional standards. They need to go.
Footnote: the replacement of the Lake Townsend dam will cost $50 million or more. It will be financed through additional bonds and I don't know the impact of repayment on taxes-- whether some kind of special assessment will be necessary. That remains to be seen.
My reaction: Mr. Knight retired in 2004 and was partner in a large CPA firm; served in the Coast Guard; and has a record of community involvement and service.
I thought his responses were among the most thoughtful I have received, and appear to be right on the issues for the most part.
His response to the first question follows the pattern we have seen with other candidates.
He seems to have a particularly well conceived, aggressive response to the challenge of attracting and retaining employers (question 2).
His responses to questions 3 and 7 are very interesting. He is clearly concerned about the effect that recent events have had on the Greensboro Police Department and its ability to perform its mission. He also indicates the need to eradicate officers "who do not match the department's professional standards." These are some of the strongest statements we have received thus far on the Greensboro Police Department matter.
He did not provide a response to our question regarding domestic partner benefits. (See addendum below).
His statement that he would not seek or accept special interest money or support from the Simkins PAC or TREBIC is encouraging. This might place him at a competitive disadvantage, however, to the at-large opponents who have already responded-- Robbie Perkins and Kevin Green-- both of whom are seeking this support. A candidate in Greensboro can pay a severe price if he refuses to affiliate with these types of interests.
Mr. Knight's position against tax increases is also agreeable.
Overall, he presents a worthy profile, and merits strong consideration.
The responses from the other candidates may be found by clicking "Council Candidates" below or at the top of the right column on this blog page.
Addendum: Mr. Knight sent me an e-mail today indicating that he is not in favor of the city providing its employees same-sex domestic partner benefits.
Joe,
Did you send this questionnaire to Sandy Carmany and if so, has she bothered to respond?
Posted by: StoneSetter | August 20, 2007 at 02:52 PM
StoneSetter, I sent the questionnaire to all 33 candidates for city council (and mayor). Ms. Carmany has not yet responded.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | August 20, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Thanks Joe.
Kinda figured as much.
When Ed got on Ben a while back about the "big blast", he said Carmany was the only council person blogging and engaging in public discussion and that we ought to be thankful for it.
True, she is the only council member blogging. Public discussion I don't think so.
The only things I see on her blog are about the "City Connections", her "weekly schedule", her "grandaughter", or her trips to "Oak Island".
Is she really that comfortable in her re-election that she won't talk about the real issues that face the citizens of Greensboro and that "THEY" want to talk about?
Project Homestead, the GPD mess, Willow Oaks, Center City Park maintenance, tax increases and "partner benefits" have all happened on her watch.
And not a word......except backing Mitch 100% on the Willow Oaks boondoggle.
Posted by: StoneSetter | August 20, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Stone, there is still time for all the candidates to respond. I really hope that I will be getting more responses, but it is difficult to predict how many will come forth.
One thing about blogging, though, Stone. Many of us know the way each other think on these types of issues within the blogging community. I suspect I know-- and others know-- how Ms. Carmany (and in fact most of the incumbents) would respond to most of these questions. There may be a few surprises, but much of it likely can be predicted.
But I do want to give everyone the opportunity to respond, and desire their participation-- both incumbents and challengers.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | August 20, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Yep, the blogging community probably does.
What about the people that don't blog?
How do they find out where a canditate stands on certain issues when they don't communicate?
As I said, she must be awfully comfortable in her re-election bid.
Posted by: StoneSetter | August 20, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Stone, the process for the general public to find out about candidates is very limited. In these parts, we typically get limited perfunctory coverage in the newspapers around town and other media. They fail to disclose the most important alliances candidates have, and what these alliances mean in terms of how they would function. Issues of importance to the public are not covered, or are deemphasized. Or they are covered in such a piecemeal, sporadic way that it is unlikely to build upon voters' cognitive understanding of the candidates and the issues.
Candidates not affiliated with the two power centers-- the Simkins machine and development interests-- face challenges in terms of getting out their vote, and having the means to get their message out.
I hope that the general public consults blogs more, and that blogs improve upon what can be gotten elsewhere. And I hope that blog coverage motivates other media to improve upon what they do.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | August 20, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Joe, why not post campaign finance reports here ? They should be available soon .The conversation then will have to be what does this person's alliance with these people indicate ? I applaud your interest in this election and I think the work needs to be done . carry on ,Sir
Posted by: joe wilson | August 21, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Thanks, Joe. You make a good suggestion. I will see what I can do.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | August 21, 2007 at 10:44 AM