1. What interests you about the position you are seeking and what contributions do you think you can make?
My most important contribution to the future of Nags Head is as a voice for the long term best interest of the town not just what meets the needs of small interest groups or individuals. I would like to continue that role. I have spear-headed the town’s long range Land Use Plan and financial plans. Both of these initiatives must be continued if the town is to continue the level of excellence we have achieved..
I also contribute experience. The job of Nags Head Commissioner touches on many varied issues including zoning, drainage, public safety, water, finance and personnel . No candidate can bring expertise in all these areas. 12 years of hard work as a commissioner have allowed me to build my knowledge about these issues. This experience is a valuable asset, helping keep the town on a steady course. But experience need not mean stagnation. I have helped develop and will continue to offer new initiatives like the Erosion Impact Abatement program and our innovative new ways of protecting Nags Head Woods..
2. What issues do you see as the most pressing for your town?
How would you address them?
The most serious threat to the Town of Nags Head is the developing trend
on the Board of Commissioners to decide issues based on who is helped or
hurt rather than on the long term best interest of the town. This issue
supersedes issues like growth and taxes because it affects how we will address
those issues, on a personal, patch work basis or with a consistent
and fair plan.
I have addressed this issue by arguing in favor of the Town’s long term best interests, against decisions based on personality or the impact of small interest groups. If elected I will continue to fight for what benefits all the people and against the self serving few who would profit at the expense of the town’s future. In order to maintain that independence I have not and will not accept campaign contributions
Other Issues that continue to be important are; the impact of growth on our quality of life and keeping taxes down while maintaining our level of services. I would follow the same plans that gave us no tax increase in the last 4 years and have the town’s services ranked as good or excellent by over 95% of the respondents to our recent land use plan survey.
3. What criteria would you use to make decisions about growth;
i.e. environmental issues, types of industry, employment
opportunities?
Growth should be guided by our long term goals. The town’s goal
has been to creeate a community of single family homes with an economy based
on family tourism. The natural environment gives us much of what makes
Nags Head unique. and must be considered in all zoning issues.
We must also protect our neighborhoods from the impacts of commercial
development.
The biggest threats to this policy are the increasing efforts to decrease open space standards within the town. I would hold the line on lot coverage standards and work to improve the ordinances that protect our unique plants and landscape features.
Finally we must work to achieve fair standards for the redevelopment of existing uses. These standards must advance town goals such as open space, drainage and adequate safe parking and not perpetuate outdated non-conforming uses.
4. What kind of development would you advocate for this area that would be compatible with family oriented tourism?
Single family homes should be the primary type of development in Nags Head. We must avoid high rise or high density development. Commercial development should be adequate to serve the needs of the community but not serve as an attraction in and of itself. We need locally owned businesses not national “big box” stores.
The town must continue to develop its infrastructure. We should add recreational facilities including bike paths, beach accesses, parks and ball fields to meet the needs of our local community and our guests.
We must approach the adult business issue carefully. We must restrict
the area where this type of business can locate and control how they can
operate. Our restrictions, however, must be within the limits
of the Constitution so that our rules are not overturned allowing smut
stores to spread throughout the town.
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