Newspapers / State Port Pilot (Southport, … / Oct. 27, 1999, edition 1 / Page 12
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SOUlIIItOfl Continued Alderman — Ward II Nelson E. Adams 303 West 10th Street A 21-year veteran of the board of aider men, Adams, 54, is a Longshoreman and member of Mt Carmel A. M. E. Church, Pythagoras Lodge #6 F&AM, Southport - Brunswick County NAACP chapter and Southport Lion’s Club Board of Directors. Stuart Arrington Callari 106 West Nash Street A nearly life-long resident of Southport, Ms. Callari, 65, is president of the Brunswick Concert and Theater Society and acting director of Brunswick Little Theater. She is a member of the Southport Historical Society. William W. Delaney, H 702 Cottage Lane A two-term incumbent, Delaney, 41, is owner of Tide Water Surveying, PA. He is a former member of the city planning board and a past director of Southport 2000. He has lived in Southport for 15 years. James F. Powell 6010 Spikerush Trail Born and raised in North Carolina, he received his primary education in Raleigh public schools. He attended Chowan Baptist College, majoring in mathematics. He is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he has served as administrative board trustee for three years. If you are elected, what will be your top three goals as a member of the town’s governing board? (1) To see that the quality of life in our com munity is maintained for all people of all ages. (2) I will continue to commit myself to the task of improving our infrastructure, whether it is pertaining to wastewater, the electric system, the city’s fresh water supply, or the ability to handle traffic issues. (3) We all know that increasing growth has had an astronomical impact on Southport and the surrounding areas. I am committing myself to the city, and the people I represent, by carefully observing the quality of growth that will have a significant impact on this city and its residents. I have had the opportunity to... participate in dialogue with the residents of Southport. In response ... I would help devise and direct a : responsible growth plan for our town - one that will provide necessary financial help with a minimum of disruption to our lifestyle. Second, I would work toward a reasonable tax structure, in order to protect all resident home owners, especially those on fixed incomes - one' that would allow them to continue to live in their homes within the town. Third, I intend to learn as much about the real needs of our town, prioritize those needs and budget for them. (1) Lowering taxes by increasing revenue and adjusting the expenditures of different depart ments of the dity. (2) Annexation of further commercial areas that already utilize many of pur city services due to their close proximity to the current city boundaries. Commercial areas will produce much more revenue to Southport than residential areas. (3) Preservation of the unique atmosphere of our city by controlled growth and, at the same time, protecting the economic vitality, of Southport. - '; If I am elected (I would): (1) Get . M : Southport's financial house in order. Keep *; taxes from rising by making smart decisions. Keep costs down. Make sure whoever wants to live hpre can afford it. (2) Fix the water and Sewer systems without putting Southport into . greater debt. Develop an overall master plan for upgrading, cost it out, and find ways of ; ■ paying for it without raising taxes. (3) Develop a master plan for planned growth of die city. With citizen participation, determine what Southport should look like and be like in five years, ten years and 15 years. Plan it before ive develop it. ; ■: T -■■.■■■■■■■A '7 V . ' . -;y. ■ ' V What is your opinion of your town’s current year budget? Does it offer ser vices you want to offer in the most affordable manner? I commend the budget committee for the time and effort they have put forth; however, there are certain areas that I feel expenditures could have been curtailed. 1 have been criticized by the media in past years for casting the sole vote against excessive budget expenditures. I am still dedicated to the people I represent to offer them an affordable budget in the near future. I am not as concerned with this fiscal year’s budget as it has already been approved and implemented. I am more concerned about next year’s fiscal budget and what the town intends to do with the apparent "windfall" they will receive from this year’s extremely high proper ty tax evaluation. If elected, my goal will be to see that this new tax income will be spent on a judicious "no frills" budget — one that fulfills our real needs until Southport is economically stable. Of the eight town budgets I have been involved with, I have never been 100 percent satisfied with certain expenditures. I have found that various alderman have different interpretations of the most important needs of the city. I do feel however that the current year's budget pro vides the services that the citizens want at a reasonable cost. The budget is meaningless because of the lack of financial planning and control. No cash flow statements or long-range forecasting are used in decisions. Money is transferred from restricted accounts to cover shortfalls in payroll. New expenses are not evaluated as to the overall budget impact. Until expenses are controlled and waste removed from the budget, Southport will creep closer to bankruptcy. Until big capi tal ticket items like water and sewer are fore casted out for more than two years, budget rev enue can not be managed. A balanced budget on paper is worthless as long as financial plan ning is ignored. Why should the voter select you over your opponent^)? For the past twenty years, I have been sensitive to the needs of the people I represent with gen uine concern. If reelected, I will contihue to place them first on my agenda. As a Southport native, I know how far we have come and the direction I think this city and its people need to go. Having served as alderman for the past two decades, I have the working knowledge of what it takes to address the current issues and any issues that may arise in the near future. With my experience, Tam the best candidate to lead this city into the new millennium. -- I don't look at myself as running “against” any one, but, rather as running “for” office. All of die candidates are running because they feel strongly about wanting to do something posi tive for Southport. I can't promise to do any thing except my very best to try and solve some of our very serious problems. I am total ly independent and capable of making unbi ased decisions. I have a long and strong her itage in Southport. My ancestors were active in the establishment and formation of the town. I would like the opportunity to continue with their values and love for Smithville/Southport. As it has been for the last eight years of my life, I have, and if elected will, continue to be 100 percent dedicated to protecting and pre serving the highest quality of life for the citi zens of Southport. The city has failed to correct Southport's water, sewer and electrical problems. My professional career and management skills provide me a unique understanding of these issues. I can save the taxpayers money by choosing the Cor rect system upgrades. I will know what should be fixed and how much, without relying solely On what consultants fell us to do. I have been involved in construction and management of water, sewer, electrical and road work. Southport's infrastructure is a costly mess. I can develop a master plan of action, not patch ing, but a plan that will save the taxpayers money;- | V on College Bonds & School Bonds A “YES” vote will increase your property taxes over 25%. COLLEGE BOND In'1991-92, BCC had 1551 students in curriculum programs but in 1997-98, had only 1168 students in curriculum programs. A student is a person who may be taking only one 3-hour course but is still being counted as a student. In six years, BCC has had a drop in student enrollment in curriculum programs of 383 students. Why does Brunswick Community College need all of the buildings under construction at this time and more being proposed to be built from bond funds when student enrollment does not justify them? > Why does Brunswick Community College need athletic fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, etc.? How are these items related to training people for jobs? ■ ■ ■ ■ The administrative cost per student FTE* at Brunswick Community College in 1991-92 was $244.35 but increased to $445.40 in 1997-98. It nearly doubled in six years whereas student unduplicated head count dropped 25%. The College also has plans to ask for an additional $8,000,000 from the County in addition to the $14 million from the bond issue. If the higher education bond issue passes in the legislature, what will Brunswick Community College do with those funds? *Represents one student attending class 12 hours per week. Cost to repay bonds and interest will increase tax rate 1.5 cents and cost for maintenance and upkeep another .5 cent increase in your tax rate. * Vote NO on both bond issues SCHOOL BOND : : '' ' Cost of Repayment ofbonds forpublic schools (does not include college bonds). Principal and Interest - 25 years repayment period = 9.25 cent increase in vour tax rate. Other Costs Not Being Revealed by Board of Education: - •Electricity, insurance, telephones, repairs and upkeep, supplies (building, personnel, etc.) ^ • Additional custodial, maintenance and non-teaching staff personnel. , — •Additional equipment needs for grounds, vehicles, tractors and mowers. ' Projected annual cost and tax rate increase for above 2.5 cent increase in your tax rate. $8.6 million for construction of Alternative Learning Center. Current enrollment of 90 students. Brunswick County lost over $50 million in tax base from Hurricane Floyd. From where is lost revenue coming? Same place as paying for the bonds, by raising taxes. Recent property evaluations increased property values by 50% - 200% resulting in higher taxes for you, the taxpayer. If bonds are passed, only county funds will be used. Will we lose millions in matching funds from state and federal sources? Of $84 million for public schools, $17.46 million is being used to “upgrade” current buildings jnr.lnding administrative suites at seven existing schools. Additional new administrative suites will be built at five existing schools. At West Brunswick High School, new construction will include a second gymnasium. Nothing in bond issue provides for teacher compensation or needed classroom materials. Cost to pay for school bonds & building upkeep 11.75 cent increase in your tax rate. Cost to" pay for college bonds 2 cent increase in your tax rate. Total is 13.75 cent increase in tax rate. on November 2nd. Voting YES will increase your property taxes by 25%. Paid for by Grover Gore. vtombined the increase represents 25% increase in your property taxes. |
State Port Pilot (Southport, N.C.)
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Oct. 27, 1999, edition 1
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