September 27, 2007 issue

 

Evaluating the Issues and Selecting the Candidates

Boone Voters Faced with Divergent Views on Town’s Present and Future

Story by Kathleen McFadden

Election Day for the nonpartisan Boone municipal races is Tuesday, October 9. Early voting began on September 20, and this election was the first opportunity that people could take advantage of same-day registration. As of press time on Wednesday, xx voters had cast ballots in early voting, and xx people had taken advantage of same-day registration.

The candidates in this election include the incumbents, the candidates endorsed by the political action committee Citizens for Change and the candidates who are in neither of those groups. The one crossover is Dempsey Wilcox who is both an incumbent and a Citizens for Change-endorsed candidate.

Citizens for Change PAC

Once the filing period for the campaign closed, PAC members invited some of the candidates to interview with them and discuss their platforms. At the conclusion of the interviews, the PAC officially endorsed four candidates: Tim Wilson for mayor and Dempsey Wilcox, Ethan Dodson and Stephen Phillips for council.

Some of the endorsed candidates were initially asked to sign a pledge to uphold the PAC position if they were elected, but according to PAC Chair Jeff Templeton, the PAC withdrew the request when some candidates and campaign treasurers objected.

The PAC has hosted get-togethers to give Boone residents the opportunity to meet the endorsed candidates. At those events, PAC organizers have emphasized the nonpartisan nature of the PAC and pointed to Republicans, Democrats and Independents in attendance.

At the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce-hosted candidates’ forum, all of the PAC-endorsed candidates said they had not received any campaign contributions from the PAC. The endorsed candidates’ names are, however, included on the PAC’s yard signs throughout town, and the PAC’s numerous print and broadcast advertisements have promoted the endorsed candidates’ campaigns. Throughout the campaign, both the PAC and local businessman Phil Templeton have paid for newspaper ads with lengthy descriptions of past dealings with local government, using those instances to make a case for the need for change in the town council. The PAC has also run a number of ads on local radio.

To review the Citizens for Change policy platform, click to citizensforchange.net.

Incumbents Clawson, Mason, Spann

In interviews and at the Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum, Mayor Loretta Clawson and council members Lynne Mason and Bunk Spann have maintained that the members of the PAC have engaged in divisive politics, have spread misinformation and have raised “imaginary issues.”

The three candidates have maintained their commitment to growth and development in a planned, thoughtful way based on smart growth principals, and have cast the election in terms of their progressive, planned policies vs. their opponents’ favoring of uncontrolled development. At the Chamber forum, the three incumbents maintained that the PAC-endorsed candidates are tools of “special interests” and they are not.

Although the three candidates are not endorsed by a registered PAC, Jerry and Pam Williamson’s posts at the WataugaWatch blog (www.wataugawatch.net), as well as Pam Williamson’s comments on the Pam’s Picks Website at www.pamspicks.net stand solidly behind Clawson, Mason, Spann and newcomer Aycock.

Outliers Aycock and Blocker

Liz Aycock, who currently serves on the Boone Area Planning Commission and the town’s Affordable Housing Taskforce, has identified herself as a candidate compatible with the views of Clawson, Mason and Spann.

Jeremy Blocker, a local probation officer, has identified himself as completely independent of both the PAC and the incumbent candidates.

Two Withdrawals

On Monday, September 24, candidates Rob Taylor and Kevin Freeman announced their withdrawal from the race via the following email from Taylor: “This Tuesday (September 25), Kevin Freeman and I will officially announce our intentions to withdraw from Town Council Elections, and emphasize our support for Loretta Clawson, Lynne Mason, Bunk Spann, and Liz Aycock. Beyond ‘official’ statements, we’ll be available for any questions you may have. The announcement is scheduled for 8:00 pm, Tuesday 9/25 at the Boone Saloon. Some, if not all, of the above mentioned candidates will also be present and available for comments. We’d love to draw as much public attention to this as possible, so please come down and join us!”

On Tuesday morning, Taylor followed up with the following email, canceling the event at Boone Saloon: “I’m sorry to say, The Boone Saloon has expressed that they don’t wish to imply support for any particular local candidates, with the exception of Kevin Freeman, and therefore are not comfortable hosting the event planned for Tuesday September 25. I apologize for any inconvenience and for the last minute update; I just found out myself.”

On Tuesday afternoon, however, Freeman said that Taylor announced his withdrawal prematurely. According to Freeman, he had not yet decided whether or not to withdraw from the race. Because the word was already out about his withdrawal, though, Freeman said he wasn’t sure what to say about the election.

Taylor and Freeman’s names are on the ballot.

Public Reaction

The election has elicited a number of Letters to the Editor submitted to all the papers in Boone. Last week alone, High Country Press received and printed nine letters expressing differing views of the upcoming election.

While the candidates have refrained from outright name calling and making snide remarks in public, the PAC ads and the WataugaWatach blog have not.

This election has clearly stirred deep feelings among those who live in Boone and those who do not, but Boone voters are the ones who will decide the contest.

 

 

Candidate Profiles

Principal issues that have emerged in the campaign are questions about water, planning and traffic, and council relations with other governmental entities and the university.

The following summaries of the candidates’ positions come from personal interviews and the candidates’ comments at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Candidates’ Forum on September 13. Candidate profiles are presented in alphabetical order, along with the URLs of their websites for the candidates who have posted sites.

 

For Boone Mayor

 Loretta Clawson—www.lorettaclawson.com

Reason for running: “My love for the Town of Boone has always been very important to me.

Top priority: Water

Water: “I think and really believe we’re being very responsible. We have three or four years before we can do anything with a new water source. We have met the problem head on and are being very careful by allocating 25,000 gallons/day per year. The calculations show that this ensures that when the citizens in the town turn on the water, they will get water. It has nothing to do with stopping growth. With 27 commercial projects in the works and 20 single-family homes built in the last 11 months, building is alive and well. We don’t want the state to place a moratorium on the town.”

“I didn’t create the drought for political reasons. We are conserving water so we don’t run out.”

Planning/Traffic: Regarding the steep slope and viewshed regulations, “Nobody has been turned down for anything according to Development Services for viewshed and steep slope.”

“I believe the controversy [with the steep slope and viewshed ordinances] has to do with steep slopes. I believe people want to build multifamily developments on our hills and run water to them. I do not agree with that.”

“I believe and the council believes that everyone should be treated fairly. We’re a unique town; we need to do a balancing act that involves the town, tourism and ASU. We want everyone to come out a winner.”

“There are things we can do to the UDO to make it more accessible. North Carolina is growing and we’re going to face problems as we face growth.”

“DOT hasn’t studied the [Boone] bypass because there’s no money for it. I would like to see a community where we walk more. I think we could put more traffic on Hardin Street.”

Council Relations: “The [ASU College of Education] site has some problems regarding size, setbacks and parking. We are working with the university to see if we can find some ways to resolve the issue.”

“ASU began the plan in 2005, but it was January 2007 before it came to Development Services. I think that’s too long for the plan to be in the works before it comes to the town. I’m hoping in the future we can have a master plan—that the university and town can plan together.”

“ASU’s a wonderful university and I absolutely want to work together.”

Additional Comments: “I feel we have made much progress in our neighborhoods and in our relationship with ASU. The business community is alive and well, and I am committed to protecting these mountains. I am not about special interests, but want to continue in a positive way to see Boone moving forward.”

 

Tim Wilson

Reason for running: “I’m retired, and the county and town have been good to me and I wanted to give something back. If you don’t think running for office is a contribution, then you should try it.”

“I bring experience of business and common-sense logic.”

Top priority: Council relations with the university and governmental entities

Water: “One of the quickest solutions if we have a severe problem is to build more storage; we could pump more those days and have the storage to rely on.”

“The study from 2004 should have been acted upon by now, and you don’t put water in a [storage] tank long enough for it to get stale. We need to work with ASU [on an interconnect agreement] and speed up the search for a new water source.”

“If we took off the ASU buildings we’re supplying water to, I think could slack up a bit on allocation.”

Planning/Traffic: “We need a review committee to study the UDO and need to speed up inspections and approvals.”

Regarding the steep slope and viewshed ordinances, “I would have thought we would have allowed more time to study the issues. On the viewshed ordinance, I would raise it to 300 feet and exempt single-family homes.”

“I have no problem with a home being engineered on a steep slope; it’s a public safety kind of thing. I have no problem with the viewshed regulations in terms of creating an eyesore, but things need to be looked at in the viewshed; I’m not that versed in what it says, but I think it was passed a little hastily and needed more study. With all the citizens there in opposition, I think we need to be listened to more.”

Regarding traffic, “We need to go to Raleigh. In Charlotte, roads are being built all the time. We’re not getting our fair share of the money.”

“In single family neighborhoods, I think there’s a misconception on encroachment. It’s not so much encroaching as a shortage of student housing. Partying and goings on are a bigger problem. I have not seen that commercial encroachment is that big a problem.”

“I think we need to enforce the rules we have rather than making more. Instead of a pat on the hand for violations, we need to put some teeth into it.”

Regarding smart growth, “I’m not familiar with all that says about, but it favors density. I never could understand what’s wrong with living above businesses; it’s good expense-wise and puts security on businesses. We don’t have a lot of room to spread out and if we can stack up, that’s pretty good.”

Council Relations: My understanding is that the relationship [with ASU] is not what it needs to be, but can be fixed. I don’t know why they’ve waited this long, but appointing a committee has a lot of merit and I hope they will follow through on that to develop rules and regulations to protect citizens and enhance businesses. If you look on campus, they have built beautiful buildings and landscaping. We need to look at zoning for university buildings, and can’t be running and fining them every time they build a building.”

“I have no problem with the College of Education site; it’s good for them to be right there at the library.”

Additional Comments: “If elected to town council, once I get there, I have to represent everybody. Once elected, I have to make the best decision for everyone.”

“There is mounting friction because of the failure of the council to listen. Changes must be made soon. Citizens’ concerns will not be ignored on my watch.”

 

For Boone Town Council

 

Liz Aycock—www.lizaycock.com

Reason for running: “I love Boone and care about its future.”

“I’ve been on the Planning Commission for a year and see how policy is made. The Planning Commission can only make recommendations; I want to make policy.”

Top priority: Examination and revision of the Unified Development Ordinance

Water: “We are at 76 to 86 percent of capacity and as we continue to look for another water source, it would be irresponsible to allocate the capacity set aside for Boone property owners. That would be like spending your child’s college fund because you don’t need it now. I am against running water lines outside of the city at present.”

“Adding more storage would be extremely expensive and wouldn’t solve the problem.”

Planning/Traffic: “I would form a UDO committee to look at the regulations in terms of the Comprehensive Plan. We need to streamline the building process, to rezone Boone in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and to impose mandatory compliance standards.”

“We need to go through this UDO. We need a committee with public input from builders and the community who say, ‘Here are the things that confused me.’”

“We need to make development decisions predictable, fair and cost effective. I’m pro-planning, not anti-development. Just because we want to protect our natural resources doesn’t mean we can’t have smart, planned development.”

“I supported the revised compromise [on the steep slope and viewshed ordinances], and suggest that people review the compromise before forming an opinion.”

Regarding traffic, “We need to finish the greenway, keep the bus free and there needs to be more on-campus student housing.”

Council Relations: “I recognize that ASU and Boone need each other to survive and prosper. I think the town, the university and the commissioners need quarterly meetings to discuss growth strategies so there are no surprises and good collaboration. Let’s forget the past and look to the future. Things can be worked out through open minds, dialog and good discussion.”

Regarding the College of Education, “I look forward to seeing drawings for the new building. I feel we can come up with a solution that is respectful of the town’s ordinances while not impeding university growth.”

Additional Comments: “The revision of the UDO is one of my top five issues. The others are affordable housing, water, completion of the greenway and smart growth. All of them feed off the others.”

“I’m not an extremist. I’m pretty moderate.”

 

Jeremy Blocker

Reason for running: “I have my finger on the pulse of the community. I work with a lot of different agencies and want to see Boone grow.”

“I’ve always been interested in the political process and wanted to see a change. I got tired of people coming to my house to say one thing to get elected and then not see any changes.”

Top priority: Water—working with ASU [on an interconnect agreement] and building water storage tanks

Water: “We should get with ASU until a new water source is completed.”

“The water issue has its hands in affordable housing and bringing business to Boone. If we don’t have water, we can’t grow. It affects so many other things.”

“I don’t think the situation is as dire as the town council says, but I don’t think it’s ideal. We put more water into the river than we take out. I’m not saying we should write unlimited water permits, but I think we could grow more steadily than we are.”

Planning/Traffic: “The UDO is burdensome and cumbersome. I would hold forums and form committees to revise it. I built an addition to my house in Boone and it was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.”

“I’m not saying scrap [the UDO]. I’m saying let’s have a look at it and revise it. Affordable housing goes with revising the UDO.”

“I support property rights. The current town council has too many restrictions. The Citizens for Change candidates propose too few restrictions. I am the compromise.”

“I’m not for overdevelopment and would like to keep Boone the way it is, but still be able to shop here without going off the mountain. I think we need to meet the aesthetic requirements. I want to see nice buildings that blend in with the landscape.”

Regarding traffic, “We need to work with ASU about vehicles on campus and not allowing freshmen to bring cars. AppalCART is not used to its potential.”

Regarding the bypass, “Everybody wants it; nobody wants it in their backyard. I’m in favor of the bypass. I think it will do some good. We need a committee to settle on one bypass plan and push DOT for it. We shouldn’t still be talking about this when my 5-month-old son is driving.”

Council Relations: “We need better communication with ASU. We don’t need to be butting heads. We need good compromises, something that’s been lacking. The relationship needs to be balanced. If we bring fresh ideas and new blood, I think we can reach an agreement.”

Additional Comments: “I don’t sit on the middle of the fence. I want a clear course of action. I’ve got an open mind. If yours is a better mousetrap idea, I’ll go with yours. Government shouldn’t be run by a special interest group or a PAC or candidates who feel they must push their agenda when they get into office. That’s why I’m running on my own.”

 

Ethan Dodson

Reason for running: “Boone is my home—I’ve been here since 1996—and the area has made me who I am. It’s a place where I want to spend the rest of my life, and even if I leave, I want to come back.”

Top priority: Bringing an open mind to affordable housing, zero waste, restoring relationship with ASU

Water: “I am shocked and frustrated that water has become such a polarizing issue. The town can always use more water. I want to talk to surrounding areas and towns and ASU to see how to solve the problem.

“Several short-term things can happen in the next year: an ASU interconnect and working with Blowing Rock and Foscoe to get water to solve the problem.”

Planning/Traffic: “I would read the entire UDO and correct the grammar.”

“Steep slope and viewshed are two completely different issues. Public safety interest fully supports the steep slope ordinance, but the viewshed map needs to be updated. The UDO almost paints two different pictures because it refers to winter and summer. I don’t think the seasons should be an issue.”

“It’s upsetting to hear students blamed for the traffic problems in Boone. There’s a lot of traffic in the summer too. We need a dialog about the bypass. Our presence is not strong enough in Raleigh.”

“Increasing pedestrian opportunities is a small piece of the puzzle. It’s not the town council’s job to tell people to walk places, but to give them opportunities.”

“I agree that Boone is a destination, but a lot of people are taking the highways elsewhere and clogging a lot of the intersections.”

“A short-term solution is to make AppalCART more efficient and effective. It’s obvious that turning lanes would help, as well as completing the greenway to the university.

Council Relations: “I consider the friction to be with the ASU administration and the town council. I don’t think the town and the student body are at odds. The relationship is better now than before thanks to football.”

“There needs to be more communication—any will be positive because it has been so lacking. Both entities care about the area so much, we need to build on that. I do not acknowledge that there are two separate visions; we can have a shared vision.”

“Ft. Collins, Colo. and Colorado State hired an intermediary, with half the salary paid by the town and half by the university. Just talking to students and the parties could help, and the intermediary would have no vested interest in either entity.”

Additional Comments: “If you start with what you have in common, you can work from there toward consensus. My studies on leadership are probably higher than those of the other candidates. In politics, we’re still electing leaders who say they have all the answers, but leadership is changing in other areas where people want leadership to be a collective vision and toward the common good.”

 

 

Lynne Mason—www.lynnemason.org

Reason for running: “I bring a passion and commitment to protecting Boone—all interests, not just special interests. I am a tireless worker, take the job very seriously and am a strong advocate for neighborhoods.”

“I’m running again because it’s an honor to serve the community and I’m committed to issues I’ve been working on—projects that affect the community. We are in the middle of several projects and want to see them through. I care deeply about the community.”

Top priority: Smart growth that will incorporate many of the important issues: range of housing options, use of water and utilities, alternative transportation, preservation of open space and hillsides

Water: “The water issue is very real.”

“Are we going to follow the advice of professional engineers or the development community? We have worked diligently searching for a new water source. It’s a very real situation and the drought makes it even more so. We wanted to be prudent in the allocation of water because the state has a trigger where they impose a moratorium.”

Planning/Traffic: “I am big on planning. The Comprehensive Plan is the community’s vision statement and it does reflect the community’s values. When we start making exceptions, we get the consequences and set bad precedents. I’m a stickler for following the rules. I am a fan of planned development. We worked hard to develop this plan and it’s our responsibility to follow it.”

“One of the conflicts is that we have a town with land use planning in place and a county that does not. Some people feel the town is expecting too much, feel the laws are very cumbersome. Other towns have even more pressures. I know the UDO is cumbersome. I am committed to finding a process that’s fair and consistent. We have made multiple changes to address specific issues, and I want to know if people have issues with specific ordinances.”

“I want the regulations to be reasonable, fair and predictable and reflect the Comprehensive Plan.

“Are we going to become Anywhere USA or maintain our character? It’s not too late, but we have to be consistent with the planning process.”

“I was the author of the steep slope compromise for the safety and the protection of our scenic beauty. It does not prevent development.”

“The town council has been active in Raleigh. The 421 bypass plan is on the TIP [Transportation Improvement Plan], but is not funded. We are working with the county and ASU on the 421 widening project, we have a free bus system and we’re expanding the greenway and sidewalks. We need to look at our own [transportation] habits.”

Council Relations: Regarding the town council’s relationship with ASU, “I think that’s an imaginary issue, a made-up issue. We’re meeting on a regular basis and we’re working on a water interconnect and sewer agreement and hope we’ll have signed agreements soon.”

“We don’t buy that things are bad. We’re working with ASU on needed amendments to the UDO and agreed to work together. There will be times when we see things differently, but we’re working things out.”

“A joint master plan will help the town know what the university needs and help to identify issues and address them.”

Additional Comments: “Controversy means you’re having a positive impact. I’m walking a lot of neighborhoods and am comfortable running on my record. I am trying to represent all the citizens of Boone, not just the special interests. My special interest is my one-year-old grandbaby. What we do today will have lasting impact on future generations.”

“I’d like to focus on the positive stuff: expansion of sidewalks and greenway, the smart growth audit, the zero waste initiative, the affordable housing taskforce.

 

Stephen Phillips—www.phillipsforcouncil.com/index.php

Reason for running: “I have seen Boone grow in good ways and bad ways.”

“With my planning background, I thought could bring a lot to smart growth. I think I have a lot of good ideas for the town and thought I could express them on the Planning Commission, but it’s not the proper venue for proposing new ideas to improve the town. Running for office is the best way to bring out some of these ideas.”

Top priority: Traffic—that’s the biggest complaint

Water: “We need short-term and long-term solutions. The short-term solution is an interconnect with ASU. The long-term solution is to add an extra tank to the system.”

“Right now, despite the drought, the water system is adequate for current needs. The easiest, cheapest solution is interconnection with ASU for emergency backup. Long-term, we should add a new storage tank near Rainbow Trail at an estimated cost of $1 million. During the peak season, on the Monday before a football game, we could draw extra water, treat it and store it in the tank; if we start hitting capacity of 3 million gallons per day, we can release the water in the tank as emergency backup. But we ultimately need to find another water source.”

Planning/Traffic: “The building codes and UDO are definitely a mess. We need to find codes that fit more with what we are. The mountains are not flat land like Hickory. I would like to see pictures to make the UDO easier to understand.”

Regarding the steep slope and viewshed ordinances, “I think the rules that passed last year are another poorly written chapter to the UDO. The viewshed passed very abruptly and needs to be reviewed. The steep slope ordinance needs clarity and easy-to-understand illustrations.”

Regarding the viewshed ordinance, “I questioned the accuracy of map because it included neighborhoods such as Blairmont, University Village and Poplar Hill; I don’t consider that visible and felt inaccuracies needed to be addressed before they became law. Other than that, I understood the need for some viewshed restriction; I don’t think anyone wants to see the hillsides scared; would like to look into the option of conservation easements and transfer credits.”

Regarding redevelopment, “We should apply a lower standard to business trying to renovate an existing building and encourage more redevelopment; that’s where we need to focus our efforts to get compact, intense development and not sprawl.”

“I think the smart growth audit is coming along at the perfect time because I think it will encourage smaller buffers between compatible uses. I would like to see the downtown section pedestrian oriented and everything from Hardee’s to Wendy’s to Blue Ridge Bedrooms pedestrian/auto friendly and then everything beyond 105 auto friendly and the greenway trail connecting the three zones.”

“Traffic is the biggest complaint of people in town, so I would ask them to come up with suggestions. I would like a series of traffic forums: hear the complaints, come up with solutions and then approach the DOT. I suggest improving the roads that local drivers already use as de facto bypasses, such as adding an extra turning lane at Wilson Ridge and Deerfield and looking at Meadowview and Greenway as a bypass instead of Blowing Rock Road. We could enhance current bypasses people are already using.”

“We need to get students as close to campus as possible so they can walk instead of drive to class. I’m not convinced a bypass will solve our traffic problems.”

Council Relations: “The meeting [between the town council and university representatives] was a real step in the right direction—both parties will discuss long-range planning strategies. People have been talking about this for years; I hope something’s happening at last. We need to sit down and discuss the issues. I wouldn’t mind coming up with a treaty.”

“I think the university does a better job of landscaping than the town. But where the town and university meet, some reasonable landscape buffering is in order. I don’t think it’s productive for the town to be screaming at ASU for violations because the town’s regulations encourage low density and spread-out development that lead to urban sprawl, while the campus is going for more density that’s pedestrian friendly. I think the town could take some notes from ASU to make the town more pedestrian friendly.”

Additional Comments: “If I win the election, I won’t be beholden to the Citizens for Change but to the town as a whole. I feel I can work with anyone to come up with cooperative solutions.”

 

Bunk Spann—www.bunkspann07.com

Reason for running: “After four years of service on the council and involvement in a range of activities, I have learned a great deal about the issues. Because of my love of Boone, I am often accused of being a member of the Chamber of Commerce.”

Top priority: Interrelationship of three entities and helping them communicate effectively: ASU, the town and the business community

Water: “The extra tank idea has come up several times, but the problem is potential stagnation. The engineers didn’t recommend that option. Expansion of the water system has been underway since 2004. We also need to promote a conservation ethic.”

“We’re trying to allocate water judiciously so we don’t reach the moratorium. We could keep permitting until we run out and make the state the bad guy when we have to turn down water requests. Only two projects have been turned down since we began the water allocation process.”

“Right now we can’t provide the water to meet the vision of the Comprehensive Plan, but we’re trying to be prudent with a finite resource.”

“It’s better to have slow, steady growth until we get the water we need instead of a lot of growth and then nothing.”

Planning/Traffic: “The piecemeal approach [to revising the UDO] has not brought satisfaction to the council. The smart growth audit will likely lead to major reform in the UDO, perhaps with form-based codes that are much easier to read and understand.”

“There is a disconnect between what the community at large and the tourists want to see and what some developers want to see. I don’t think the PAC represents the community.”

“I think we need to grow in a planned, thoughtful way. I support smart growth principles—high density, mixed use development that would provide more housing in the Town of Boone and give people the opportunity to walk downstairs, for example, to go to a restaurant. We need to build and design in ways that foster community.”

“This council is by no means an anti-growth council, but a smart growth council.”

“I hope to get to the point where the Comprehensive Plan, practices and regulations work together to bring about harmony in the regulatory system.”

Regarding the steep slope and viewshed ordinances, “I am a strong proponent of the compromise. A brochure is available online that compares the task force recommendations to the compromise.”

“I think it would be irresponsible and unconscionable to turn our heads and say you can do whatever you want with your property and not worry about whether it slides off the slope. A 30 percent slope is enormous. What we did is very modest. Those who say the ordinance is not a compromise, I find that appalling. That is not true.”

“I thought the regulations proposed by the task force were overreaching, but I think real compromise is there—reasonable, appropriate and modest.”

Regarding traffic, “I asked DOT if a bypass would help our traffic problems and DOT said no. We’re working with DOT to upgrade the road systems we currently have.”

Council Relations: “I think the charge that we can’t work with the university is completely false. We have had numerous meetings and conversations that have brought about better communication, opening up opportunities, possibilities and concerns.”

“We believe in the rule by law. Outside the law we’re hamstrung. All we’ve asked any entity to do is simply obey the law. If you don’t like the law, go through the process to change it.”

Additional Comments: “I want people to be able to say that the town looks good 20 years from now. I want us to be a more sustainable community. That drives my thinking when I’m voting on something.”

“We have two clear choices: to go back to the day when a few people made the decisions or to go forward into the 21st century to benefit everyone.”

 

Dempsey Wilcox

Reason for running: “I have 12 years’ experience on the council and have extensive knowledge of the town and its neighborhoods, along with a business background, an open mindedness, an ability to listen and a reputation for honesty.”

Top priority: Reestablish good relationships with ASU, the county, the hospital and the state

Water: “We have 300,000 to 400,000 gallons of excess capacity. I think we need to make use of all the capacity we have.”

“We need additional input as quickly as we can get it, but the 25,000 gallons per year is way too restrictive for existing capacity. A 2.25 five-day peak still allows 400,000 gallons, enough for 2,000 three-bedroom homes. We should make full use of existing capacity; saving it is not going to save it; it flows down the river.”

“I think [the water situation is] an immediate crisis on paper. We allocated 270 gallons—the equivalent for a three-bedroom house—for every empty lot in town. That’s 150,000 gallons per day set aside. No one has asked for those. I would make the water available for use by taxpayers—the full amount.”

“I support conservation programs and I’m not saying to waste water, but if people want to tap on, I think town council shouldn’t be making the decision about what project is better than another. Those decisions should be made at the zoning level—the UDO—and not at the water level.”

Planning/Traffic: “The UDO is a mess, and I favor form-based codes. We need to take another shot at the Comprehensive Plan because I was disappointed with the turnout [at the public input sessions during the revision process]. It’s so important, we need to push hard to get all the stakeholders involved.”

Regarding the steep slope and viewshed ordinances, “The steep slope ordinance protects health and safety. I have no problem with that. I would amend the viewshed ordinance to exempt single-family homes.”

 “I would like to see [the viewshed regulations] rolled back for single family housing only; I don’t think that’s what people had in mind when they wanted something done about [the Villages at] Meadowview.”

“I think if a project is zoned properly and meets the regulations, then we need to look at ways to approve it; we need to be more predictable in our decisions.”

Regarding traffic, “We don’t have a bypass for lack of political will on town council—somebody’s land, somebody’s home will be taken. The town council should be getting behind the bypass alternative that’s the farthest out. We also need to get students closer to ASU.

Regarding smart growth, “I hope it won’t add regulations, but incentives and rules to make it more attractive for developers to use those principles instead of sprawl—such as density bonuses and projects permitted by right in certain areas if developers follow the regulations.”

Council Relations: “For the past three to four years, the council’s relationships [with other entities] have been deteriorating. We must improve those relationships if we want to do anything in this town.”

“As a general principle, I support putting the College of Education in the place the university proposes. There is not an optimal place to put it. It does not meet the rules, so we will have to change the rules to make it work; I believe the alternatives are worse.”

“The ASU/town meeting was a good start, but not very productive; I would have liked to see more discussion; we were dancing around the issues.”

In the past, ASU has given us copies of the master planning map; I think we would do well to get more than that.”

Additional Comments: “I would suggest a middle ground and to stop using words like greedy and socialist. Unregulated growth is not an option, nor is putting our head in the sand. There is a middle ground. We need to stop government by calamity.”

It’s not a black and white issue—developers vs. town interest. The town council should be somewhere in the middle.”

“I support the zero waste initiative, voted for the big box ordinance and support the greenway expansion.”