Q&A: Democratic commissioner candidates field questions from the T-N

Times-News

The Times-News asked the following questions to Democratic candidates for the Alamance County Board of Commissioners ahead of Tuesday's primary.

We asked them to keep their responses to 75 words apiece. The answers were not edited or changed in any way.

Republican candidates' answers to the same questions will be published in the Saturday and Sunday editions.

Candidate Joyce Glenda Bowman had not turned in answers to the questions by Thursday evening.

1. The county's current budget that ends June 30 totals nearly $130 million. In a month or so, the county commissioners will vote on a new budget. County Manager David Smith has asked the commissioners to put up a referendum calling for a ¼-cent sales tax increase. Explain what cuts or increases the commissioners should make for next year's allocations to county departments and funding for the Alamance Community College and the Alamance-Burlington School System. Should voters get to decide whether to increase the sales tax? Why or why not?

(Eddie Boswell is an estate agent and building contractor in Burlington. He owns Boswell Construction) Each department should be as cost conscious as possible. I am not sure of all of the needs in each department and requested funds for each department however I do hope that each department head has cut out as much unnecessary expenses as possible before presenting their wish list to the commissioners for funding. I would support a 1/4 cent sales tax increase as last resort and that would have to be voted on by the people.

(Linda Massey, of Haw River, is retired from Orange County Health Department and is a broker with CDI Realty. She is the former mayor of Haw River and has two sons and four grandchildren) I hope funding cuts are not necessary for departments or school systems. However, all departments should trim their requests as much as possible in order to maintain the current budget and tax rate. The manager never state why the 1/4-cent tax increase was necessary. Since our property will be evaluated this year, I prefer a decrease in taxes and would not vote for a tax increase and don't believe our citizens would either.

(Tristan Patterson of Burlington says he is a "full-time candidate." He and his wife, Crystal, have a 3-year-old son and they are raising his 15-year-old niece) You privitize Non Emergency EMS, you get to offer a great service AND lower the countys financial burden. I support the 1/4 sales tax increase, it's very fair, but I'm a firm believer in having our citizens vote on as much as they can. We are a government meant for our citizens, let's start acting like it.

2. The commissioners have dramatically increased funding for the Alamance County Sheriff's Department and the county jail since Sheriff Terry Johnson took office in December 2002.

Among other things, the commissioners will spend more than $12.25 million on a jail expansion and approved Johnson's request for inclusion in the federal 287 (g) program to process, detain and deport illegal immigrants. Johnson has said repeatedly that renting bed space to other law enforcement agencies will pay for the expansion.

The sheriff and Commissioners Tim Sutton and Bill Lashley are among county leaders who say the jail expansion and 287(g) are needed to control jail crowding and rising crime brought on by the influx of illegal immigrants into Alamance County. Explain why you support or oppose the county's use of 287 (g).

(Boswell) According to the Sheriff bed space for the federal marshals and 287g has been in the positive for the county. As far as the expansion I would certainly like to look at these numbers before approving his request but I do think the program to date has been successful and would hope to see the same in the future. It is a fact that illegal immigration does put undue burden on many of our other departments.

(Massey) I support the 287(g) program which is already in place in Alamance County. It permits trained officers to perform immigration law enforcement functions and hold persons of questionable criminal activity in jail until their immigration status is checked out through an immigration database. Otherwise they could just post bail and be put back on the strets immediately. The program could eventually mean more money for Alamance County and a reduction in crime.

(Patterson) First, let's make it clear, Illegal Immigration is not a Republican or Democratic issue, but an American issue! They broke the law when they came into the country, it's unfortunate we have to wait until ANOTHER crime is commited to enforce our laws. I'm not sure we can afford jail expansion right now, I'll take an overcrowded Jail over overcrowded schools anyday, and we need a new school!

3. Explain why you favor or oppose countywide zoning.

(Boswell) Zoning is a tricky issue. It can work to control a lot of things but it also takes away a lot of rights for property owners. I am not in favor of zoning but would be supportive of using the Comprehensive Land Use Plan that was done at taxpayer's expense yet put away as the direction for growth in our county. A significant part of our county is already controlled by the ETJ's of the municipalities.

(Massey) I am opposed to county wide zoning and it should be a decision of the people in the county. I will support their decision.

(Patterson) This has been talked about for 20 years, we have to support it to keep our county attractive to businesses, keep property values high and not have developments right next door to farms.

4. Explain why you favor or oppose using incentives to help entice industries to bring their operations to Alamance County.

(Boswell) Our county has suffered over the past several years because of companies moving outside of the USA. Unfortuantely incentives have become a way of life for local governments to entice companies. We need jobs and industry builds a stong tax base for the county therefore I do feel that if incentives are a requirement for a company to move here, stay here and create jobs let's go out and bring them to Alamance County.

(Massey) I personally do not like incentives, but you have to look at the big picture. If the benefits outwigh the investment, than it's a good thing. The fact is that our largest tax reveunues come from large corporations. They also bring employment opportunities. Incentives could also be used to retain businesses in the county.

(Patterson) I oppose the use - and will work with our legislators to get this questionable practice changed. Until then, we have to play ball to attract businesses. We have to make sure there will be a certain amount hired from our county/that there is a labor base for it, that they'll pay well and that it will fit in. We can't be happy adding $8.00/hr jobs and losing $16.00/hr jobs.

5. In the past year, the commissioners approved tougher ordinances concerning junked and abandoned vehicles and mobile homes. Do you think the ordinances are necessary? Why or why not?

(Boswell) I have no problems with the ordinances. My only request to the planning board and those in charge of enforcement be prudent in not approving something then turn around and change the rules when the public shows opposition. Be consistent and fair with enforcement of the rules and approvals.

(Massey) I do think the ordinances are necessary in order to protect our county, land values and environment. Abandoned vehicles and mobile homes can also be a danger to children.

(Patterson) I think our ordinance before was good enough and was about commonsense. I believe this could affect some well intended people (and farmers) and that doesn't make sense.

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