2009 Elections: Council Candidate Jerry Bittner’s Answers
I emailed questions to all the candidates and incumbents for Jacksonville City Council.
Below are the answers from Mr. Jerry Bittner (Ward 2), who is running against Councilwoman Reva Sullivan. The answers are cut and pasted directly from the email and contain no altering of text, except for format (bulletized the questions and indented the answers).
-
– Water is becoming a less plentiful, but more frequently required asset in Eastern NC. What policies would you push to ensure that Jacksonville has a safe, secure and clean source of water?
-
I believe the city has been active in developing new water sources since the State has reduced the amount of water that can be withdrawn from the deep aquifer. I would continue to advocate a policy of conservation year round and pursue working relationships with the other principal purveyors of water in Onslow County — ONWASA and Camp Lejeune.
-
– The current City Council took steps to reduced benefits to city employees. What policies would you push to maintain a viable city workforce and recruit/retain employees?
-
The city has to ensure competitive salaries, benefits and training or risk the loss of valuable experienced employees. The merit pay program which was eliminated in this year’s budget needs to be reinstated. No doubt there are times when circumstances dictate budget reductions. However, they should be applied evenhandedly, not solely on the backs of the employees.
-
– Transportation is a significant issue in Jacksonville. How would you seek to solve traffic issues and mitigate risks? How would you work with the NCDOT and the legislators to push for better support of our transportation systems?
-
The city has relationships with NCDOT via our local Transportation Coordinating Committee and continually monitors needs and proposes improvements.
-
– What priorities will you have regarding infill development within Jacksonville?
-
Infill development has its advantages since the infrastructure is in place to serve it. It has been and must continually be promoted. The Unified Development Ordinance under consideration at this time offers some benefits to infill development, but the most significant step will come in the integration of a tiered facility charge system for connections to the water and sewer that will offer lower charges for developing where facilities are already in place.
-
– What policies would you push to make Jacksonville more attractive to businesses?
-
The growth over the recent years is evidence that Jacksonville is attractive to businesses. But, while growth and new business openings are evidence of success, additional successes can be won by promoting Jacksonville as a business-friendly place, offering amenities that make their employees want to live here and to celebrate the things that have made us have the success we do. These include the collaboration with the military, the County, the education and health services community and all the other synergist activities that have advanced our community. One key is to ensure everyone is counted in the Census next year since so many businesses only look at areas that have ‘good numbers.’– Many residents complain about the lack of recreational opportunities (swimming pools, parks, mountain biking trails, etc) in Jacksonville. What priorities will you have regarding recreation?
-
The recent Chamber of Commerce Amenities Forum demonstrated the economic value of recreational opportunities. Certainly, they don’t come without cost, but when weighed against getting people to stay here after their military service, attracting a quality work force and citizens’ desire for more businesses, they have benefit. When weighing recreation improvements vs. cost, it is incumbent upon the council to expose these issues to public input.
-
– The City is currently fielding resumes for the City Manager position. How would you feel about the current Council hiring a Manager before the potential election of a new council?
-
The present Council should not hire a new manager. First of all, the divisiveness of the present council along with the manner in which the former city manager was fired detracts from the city being an attractive employer. City manager candidates look for stability in the work environment which at present is questionable. The new Council should guide the process to recruit and hire.
-
– Downtown Jacksonville has been overcome with blight and abandoned and unused buildings. Past Councils have approved Downtown Master Plans that would replace the existing buildings with high-priced homes. Even now, there are several recently built homes in the above-$250k price-range available downtown. What policies would you support to revitalize the Downtown area?
-
The city and county governments have developed a workable master plan to guide the development of the downtown area. This plan has effected change and in fact the developments in the downtown area have produced a positive cash flow. However, the current plan should not be pursued as cast in stone. Changing circumstances, for example the jail requires continual review of the plan and modifications as circumstances may require.
-
– Actions by the current Council have raised questions about transparency and integrity in Council-actions. What are your thoughts on the recent events and how would you address potential issues of open-governance?
-
Your question of integrity poses its definition: "the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards." Did members of the current council who voted for the firing of the manager adhere to professional standards? Why he was fired remains a mystery particularly when less than nine months before his dismissal, council awarded him almost an $8,000 raise. So who knows? The only public statement offering a reason was that "… he was trying to lead us." Most people think leadership is a trait desired of CEOs and managers. In so far as transparency, I take it you mean open government. I was on the city council when G10 was authorized and voted for it. Likewise I voted for a public comment section as part of the regular meeting agenda. I’m forever mindful that it is the people’s government.
