City Council Candidate Questionnaire: Joel Landau, District 4

I have received a questionnaire response from Joel Landau, who is running for a City Council seat in District 4.  He is the first candidate to respond from that district, and I appreciate his participation.  His responses are as follows:

1. What, in your opinion, is the single most important activity in which municipal government engages?  Police, fire, sanitation.

2. Do you favor taxpayer money being used to provide incentives for private real estate development?  Generally no, though there might be some scenario where I would consider it.

3. What actions do you believe are necessary to correct the wrongs our city government committed during late 2005 and thereafter with its response to the Police Department controversy?  Give Chief Bellamy the latitude to run the Dept. without political interference, and implement the recommendations of the Buracker Report as appropriate.

4. Which pattern of development do you prefer for the city of Greensboro's future-- higher levels of density with infill, or a more suburban pattern?  Compatible infill.

5. Do you favor markedly expanding the usage of the White Street Landfill for residential trash to save taxpayers' money?  I probably would have voted against the original decision to close White Street to MSW in 2006.  However, the City made that decision and promised it would remain closed.  Businesses and individuals have moved to the area with that promise in mind.  As a matter of integrity, I believe we need to uphold the promise that was made.  So my answer is No. 

In order to reduce the costs of waste disposal, I support an aggressive program to reduce the amount of waste we generate.  Therein is tremendous potential to save taxpayers’ money and extend the lifespan of whatever landfill we use.

6. Will you seek or accept the endorsement of the Simkins PAC?  Seek – No.   Accept – Yes.

7. Will you seek or accept the endorsement of TREBIC-affiliated organizations?  No.  But in the interest of openness, I have completed and returned their Candidate questionnaire.  I think the public has a right to know as much as they can about a candidate’s stand on the issues.  Similarly I don’t expect your endorsement (that’s an understatement), but believe your readers have a right to know my positions on questions of interest to them.

8. What would you do to attract more employers to the city of Greensboro?  Have ordinances that simplify permitting and the approval process.  Make businesses feel welcome.  Have strong, accessible support services for businesses.  Maintain an attractive quality of life so people want to come live here. 

What would you not do to attract more employers?  I would not scrap programs that give Greensboro a unique character and make it an attractive place to live.  When an employer is considering where to locate, they have to consider whether key employees will want to live in the town they choose.

9. Would you ever vote in favor of increasing taxes for Greensboro residents?  My first preference is to reduce taxes.  Failing that, then to maintain the current rate.  Would I ever vote to raise taxes?  Only if it was necessary to provide the services our community needs. 

10. Would you ever vote in favor of increasing fees for Greensboro residents?  See my answer to question 9.

11. What measures would you favor to limit the cost of benefits provided for city employees?  I don’t know that I would.  I’d be interested in hearing suggestions.

12. Do you support adding more police officers to the GPD?  If so, how many?  We have coverage per capita comparable to similar sized NC cities.  First we need to look at more efficient deployment of the current force (eg, do we have uniformed officers doing desk jobs that non-sworn civilians could perform?).  If we then determine there’s a need for more coverage, I’d support adding as many as are needed to provide full coverage.

13. Do you support bringing the police chief under the control of the City Council?  No.

14. Do you think our libraries' computers should be filtered to protect young people?  Yes.

15. Do you favor expanding mass transportation services in the city of Greensboro?  Yes.

16. What approaches do you think the police department should employ to decrease crime in our city?  Community policing seems to work well, as it establishes more personal relationships between officers and the community they patrol.  This results in greater trust, which leads to more cooperation.  Community Watch programs help.  I would ask the Police Chief for further suggestions.  But most causes of crime, as I’ve heard Chief Bellamy say, involve societal issues beyond the scope of the Police Dept. to deal with.

17. Do you favor or oppose the city planning department merging with the county planning department?  Favor, if it produces cost savings without sacrificing effectiveness or standards.  

18. What types of projects should be funded through bonds for economic development, and what types of projects should not be supported?  Would like more input on this.

19. Do you favor proposing bonds to fund capital costs, or do you favor pay-as-you-go?  My preference is Pay-as-you-go, but I would look at this on a case by case basis, since bonds can sometimes allow us to leverage other available sources that will save us money in the long run.

20. Do you favor giving special, increased standing to Action Greensboro and/or the Greensboro Partnership in the formulation of policy decisions?  Oppose, but would seek their expertise and participation in areas they’re involved in.

21. Do you support bringing the city attorney under the control of the City Council?  Favor.

22. Do you favor providing taxpayer money to Action Greensboro or the Greensboro Partnership?  If it’s to provide under contract a specific needed service for the City, yes.