OCTOBER 29, 2009 ISSUE
Blowing Rock Candidates Address Questions at Forum
Communication between Blowing Rock elected leaders and staff and town citizens was a recurring theme at the Meet the Candidates Forum on October 27, when eight candidates for council and mayor addressed questions at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium.
The Blowing Rock Leadership Challenge Alumni, in association with the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, sponsored the forum, which was moderated by Bill Barr. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
Eight candidates—Pat Fountain, Mike Kebelbeck, Tommy Klutz, Doug Matheson, Gary Lee Smith, Jerry Starnes, Jim Steele and George Sudderth—are running for three open positions on the council, which have four-year terms. Klutz, the lone incumbent in the race, did not attend the forum because of a family trip.
Mayor J.B. Lawrence, who is running unopposed for re-election after serving in the position since 1997, also attended the forum.
In response to a question about the candidates’ top issues, Smith said the council should make a stronger effort to communicate with town citizens, including the development of a town email list.
“People feel that they aren’t valued in the town of Blowing Rock,” Fountain said. She said that even if citizens attend town meetings, they still might not understand what is going on. She promised “full transparency of all town meetings and decisions.”
Kebelbeck noted that town agendas are not published until just a few days before Tuesday meetings—and after local newspapers are published on Thursdays—which doesn’t provide enough time for citizens to review upcoming council actions. He proposed that agendas be published two weeks before meetings.
One prepared question asked the candidates their position on the town’s fiscal management policies and whether or not they would support a tax increase.
Lawrence praised the staff and noted the town’s unreserved—or “rainy day”—fund had increased from $800,000 in 1999 to $2 million today. Fountain said she believes the town needs to shift priorities in the budget and address infrastructure, fix the town’s roads and locate a second water source. Kebelbeck said the town should focus on long-term planning instead of temporary fixes, and Sudderth expressed concern over the town’s growing amount of debt. Matheson said the town should hold the line on spending and finish current projects.
Sudderth, Matheson and Lawrence said they would not support tax increases in the current economic climate, while Steele and Smith said it would depend on the service and the amount of the tax. Steele said he wouldn’t mind raising taxes if all other measures have been exhausted and the taxpayers want the service.
Another question asked the candidates how they would incorporate the input of seasonal residents in Blowing Rock who pay taxes but cannot vote in the town’s elections. Steele said the town must listen to all stakeholders and suggested an annual “State of the Village” meeting to hear public opinions and concerns. Sudderth agreed that the town needs to provide a venue for seasonal residents to express themselves. Fountain said seasonal residents should receive the same support and services as full-time residents. Kebelbeck called seasonal residents an “untapped resource” for the town and suggested the town communicate with them through emails and newsletters.
Lawrence said the town has held many public hearings in which no one makes a public comment.
“We want to hear you,” he said.
Smith, Matheson and Starnes suggested that council members should make decisions for the town as a whole—“It comes down to what you believe is best for the town,” Smith said.
“It’s one town, and we’re all living here together,” added Starnes.
The candidates were also asked what ideas they had for making the town more “green.” Kebelbeck said he would like to see recycling extended to homes and more businesses and energy-efficient street lighting. Smith said he would like to see the town re-establish recycling stations—the town had them in the 1980s—and take simple conservation measures such as printing budgets on both sides of the paper. Matheson said the town should take advantage of the intelligent ideas its citizens can provide.
Starnes said the town should follow state guidelines and that businesses will find ways to re-use and recycle materials. Sudderth said he is concerned with discharge that gets through wastewater treatment plants and wants to see proven technology installed before the town invests any more money on wastewater improvements.
Steele and Lawrence suggested that conservation is a personal responsibility, not the town’s.
“I don’t think this is the year our town needs to spend town money on greening,” Steele said.
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