It’s a new year. And that means new goals. Many of my goals are the same as last year…Goals that I’ve failed at achieving. But, we never let failure stop us from trying to succeed. We’d really never get anything done if we did!

There’s a number of things I want to do this year.

Writing: I want to start writing more and better. 2009 saw me get hired on as one of the parent-bloggers for Onslow Memorial Hospital’s Mom-Talk blogging network. I’m hoping that will continue through 2010 and flourish into some new opportunities. New opportunities that include include publishing in magazines and other websites. I want to start and keep a journal. My goal is to write one non-blogging piece a month for submission to magazines. I’m focusing on publications that look for creative non-fiction like The Sun Magazine. If you know a similar magazine that’s looking for something new, please let me know.

Reading: I want to actually finish a book this year. I’ve read horribly little the last few years. I want to read some creative non-fiction to help build the writer I want to be…But I also want to read good fiction. My goal is to read one book a month. Starting this month with Jack Kerouac’s Town and Country. I’ve been reading off and on (mostly off…) for months. I’m looking for recommendations, so if you’ve got them, send them my way.

Photography: I want to start taking photos…Again. To that end: I’ll be taking a self-portrait a day. Today it’s with the iPhone (at left). Future self-portraits may be well-planned shots, others on-the-go. The idea is to get back into the habit of taking pictures. I also want to start using my Nikon D40 more. I want to take more photo-walks and maybe even take the camera along on some bicycle rides and commutes. My goal: Post weekly to the Photography blog. Post daily self-portraits there, here and on Twitter and Facebook.

Bicycling: I have been extremely lazy when it comes to bicycling since October. I want to get back into using the bicycle as my primary form of transportation. I also want to get back into blogging more about bicycling and working harder to advocate for the bicycle as a viable form of transportation in Jacksonville, NC. My goal:  250 miles ridden a month by bicycle.

Fitness/Weight-loss: I have completely failed at all previous attempts to get into better shape. This year, I hope to make real and lasting lifestyle changes to get back to a reasonable weight. My goal is to lose 25 pounds by May 2010. I can achieve this by making better food choices, exercising and bicycle commuting more. Tools like the Lose It, 100 Push Ups, 200 Sit-Ups and 200 Squat iPhone apps will help me. As will getting to the gym and not being a slave to sodas.

Activism and Issue Advocacy: I’ve been remiss in advocating for the issues that are important to me for some time. In 2010, I want to take a more active role in the world around me. That means making more time to research issues and contact the elected leaders that can influence them. More letters to the editor, more letters to elected leaders (local, state and national) and more work pushing the ideas and ideals that I believe. It also means a more active role in the City of Jacksonville Recreation and Parks and Trails and Greenways Commissions.

So. Those are some of my goals this year. What are yours?

So, as I’ve been driving to my office aboard Camp Lejeune, I’ve spent plenty of time in stop-and-go traffic. This has afforded me to observe bicyclists’ behavior from the car. Coincidentally, I was listening to this NPR story about road rage against bicyclists in California when I witnessed the most egregious act I’ve seen committed on a bicycle. Can you pick it from the list below? (I’ll put the answer after a jump below).

I’ve seen the following violations of good bicycling behavior (not to mention common sense)  in the last week:

• Bike-Salmon – Riding against the flow of traffic. Bicycles are vehicles, for all intents and purposes. That means we should be riding on the right side of the road, with the flow of traffic. Usually it’s a day-worker or some other fellow without lights, which makes it even worse.
• Splitting traffic – Witnessed last week. A rather dapper looking fellow in full racing kit on a very nice looking powder blue bicycle with silver fenders traveled almost the entire length of Brewster Blvd on Camp Lejeune between two lanes of stopped car traffic.
• Running traffic lights/signs – Same guy that was splitting traffic. He’s a repeat offender, too. I’ve seen him cruise through traffic lights at the intersection of Gum Branch / Bell Fork and Hwy 17/Marine Blvd. I’ve also seen him run the stop sign at the crosswalk on Brewster Blvd to leave Camp Lejeune just to weave through two lanes of traffic to cross the street.

It’s depressing to me to see so many bicyclists, whether commuters, road-racers or whatever, breaking common-sense traffic laws. And, really, the only they reason they do it is because they can and they can generally get away with it.

It’s also frustrating to me. I work with two City of Jacksonville Commissions to make this community a better place to bicycle, yet, for every point I make to increase bicycling facilities and access, some jerk in spandex runs a traffic light and undoes all my effort by destroying good will towards bicyclists.

I’m asking all of you in the bicycle community…Pull your heads out of whatever orifices they’re jammed in and follow the traffic laws. Just by doing that, you’ll make the world just a little bit better.

It was the splitting traffic. I was completely shocked when I saw that dude. Especially since there was a completely unused bicycle path just to the right of the roadway.

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.

Below are the answers from Mr. James Bryan (At Large). 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?
• Water allocation is an extremely important issue that necessarily requires regional cooperation.  It is not enough for the city council to act alone.  The area aquifers need to be maintained so that they can indefinitely supply our future generations.  After the state?s severe draught, the General Assembly requested a water allocation study be conducted.  Check out the study and supporting information here:http://sogweb.sog.unc.edu/Water/index.php/Main_Page  I would support regional efforts and coordination with state policy makers.
• 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?
• I would ask the manager to work with the human relations department to ensure the city maintains appropriate staffing.  Beyond competitive wages and benefits, this would also include stability and managerial support.  I would ask the manager to maintain a work environment where employees feel valued and know that the city excels because of their hard work.  The principal effort I individually would make would be to ensure the next manager is capable.
• 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?
• Much of our transportation issues involve the state and we are compelled to coordinate with them.  Unfortunately this means a slower planning process than what we would likely achieve on our own.  While we could move faster by acting alone, the local cost burden would increase dramatically.  I think it is important to remember that the state already has transportation improvement plans that prioritize projects many years in advance.  Similarly, the city has its own transportation plans and projects.  The real issue is when will the money be available?at what point do we raise a capital improvement project priority instead of waiting for state funding.  At the very least, I do not foresee congestion issues being addressed until safety concerns are remedied.
• What priorities will you have regarding infill development within Jacksonville?
• Infill development is very desirable, but difficult to attain.  The difficulty arises because it is more costly than new sprawling construction.  I believe Jacksonville is seeing considerable infill development compared to other NC jurisdictions.  To further encourage infill development may necessitate some rather extreme and unpopular techniques, such as eminent domain.  At this point I am not ready to explore such options.  Because so much of this issue involves the market, I would be hesitant to have the city creating policies trying to force the market.  I would be interested in having City-County discussions to create mutual plans for urban boundaries.
• What policies would you push to make Jacksonville more attractive to businesses?
• There is no particular policy that I would push, instead I would encourage a broad approach.  Certainly I would strive for low taxes and fees.  Additionally, I would want increased stability and forecasting in fees?to combat the political inclination to lower fees today only to be forced to raise fees even higher tomorrow to pay for neglected infrastructure. While I believe our local businesses need better recognition, I also believe this to be beyond the scope of government.  Too many times I hear people complain about Jacksonville having too few choices particularly in regards to chain restaurants.  There is not enough recognition of the many wonderful locally owned businesses.  Local businesses themselves, or the chamber of commerce, are the appropriate entities to handle this issue.
• Many residents complain about the lack of recreational opportunities (swimming pools, parks, mountain bikiking trails, etc) in Jacksonville. What priorities will you have regarding recreation?
• I personally desire more recreational opportunities, but frankly do not believe it would be a high funding priority if I were elected.  I would opt for the most cost effective opportunities, such as trails.  If there were programs or projects that could be self-sufficient from user fees, I would support their public construction.  I would also support parks that were created at reduced cost to the city through cooperation with either developers or the school system.  I would not be inclined to create a public cost burden for something that was available locally through a private entity (i.e. pools, golf courses) unless it met one of the earlier criteria.
• 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 an new council?
• I do not believe the current council is inclined to hire new manager before the election.  It would be a poor decision if they did.  One of the principal reasons is that any candidate would be hesitant to accept the position without knowing the makeup of the new board.
• 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?
• Downtown has drastically improved and continues to do so.  The downtown master plan has specific policy recommendations—these are the policies I would support.
• 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?
• I believe there to be two separate issues that overlap.  First is transparency and open-governance.  I support open government and believe it to be fundamental to our society.  I believe there is technology available that allows us to have more open government.  I believe government has been too slow to adapt to this change in technology.  Our community is so technologically savvy and transient that it is imperative we make the most use out of available online resources.  Other communities in the state are exploring options such as blogs and public email (not just upon request, but simply always available online).  We need to involve the public from the earliest stages of policy development, not just at the statutorily required public hearings.
  The second issue is recent events about transparency and integrity.  While I have personal thoughts and feelings on many matters, few rise to the level that I would want to address as a candidate.  Being an elected official is difficult and I appreciate the efforts of our local representatives.  I believe this question to focus on the firing of the manager.  I likely would not have voted to fire the manager.  If I was on the board I would have suspended him first if there was, as they claim, a history of him being insubordinate.  If I was on the board and I fired him, I would have released his personnel documents after the controversy as is allowed under the General Statutes to maintain public confidence.  I believe the manager was not fired for being insubordinate, as the councilmembers claimed—but they had every right to fire him simply because they wanted to.

Below is the response from Bob Warden (At Large). The response is cut and pasted directly from the email and contain no altering of text.

I’m responding to this because I’ve heard that your blogs are balanced. I’ve
read several comments on the jdnews webpage that are anything but balanced.
I don’t like the anonymity of hiding behind a user name instead of ones’
real name (although there are some who do use their name). I think if you
have something to say, have the courage to use your real name.
That said, here’s my responses.
I have a website at www.bobwarden2009.com. They can leave comments or
questions through that page ( I have a gmail account attached to the site).
I can also be reached at home at 346-5377. Please feel free to advertise
this info.

Mr. O’Connor has not submitted answers, but I did speak with him briefly on the telephone today. Below is a quick synopsis of our conversation.

Mr. O’Connor believes in taking government “back to basics”, meaning providing the primary services (police, fire, water, sewer etc). He mentioned that before any property tax increases could be levied, all internal measures (cutting city expenses, non-essential services, etc) should be explored. He also mentioned that we would consider a “public safety” tax to be added to the sales tax if internal cuts could not be made to properly support the basic city services.

Below are the answers from Councilman Jerome Willingham (Ward 1), who is running unopposed for election. 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).

• 1– 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?
  • Answer:  The State controls much of what the City can do.  I would like to see the use of more reclaimed water.  I would like to see deep well injection of reclaimed water.  I want the city to have the delivery infrastructure to utilize this water for lawn watering, toilet flushing, and car washing.  We should not bear the expense of treating that water for those purposes.
• 2– 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?
  • Answer:  We did not reduce employee benefits.   We chose not to raise property taxes.  Sound fiscal management meant that the employees could not get a raise every year.  We also reversed the City Managers increase imposed on the retirees to cover their health care benefits.  I introduced measures through our wellness program to show our appreciation for our employees, and to promote their enjoyment of their work environment. The quality of life improvements may also retain and  attract good workers.  Sure our employees want to make as much money as possible;  but they also want a pleasant, and even enjoyable work atmosphere.
• 3– 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?
  • Answer:  NCDOT is trying to implement as system of selecting projects with a more objective standard.  In the past, Jacksonville was fortunate to have strong leadership.  We benefited from that representative’s influence.  Under the new approach, we have not fared well.  Crosswalks are a pressing priority for Jacksonville.  Our consultant and the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)  have not been on the same page.  We have to do a better job of collectively pressing our agenda at every TAC meeting.
• 4– What priorities will you have regarding infill development within Jacksonville?
  • Answer:  Currently the tail wags the dog with respect to development.  Cheap land usually guides development.  Sprawl is the result.  I thought the Special Order of Consent (SOC), rationing the water to projects which were not infill, would encourage infill development. I am confident that downtown Jacksonville will be successful infill development.  This development was spurred by my council’s investment in Riverwalk Crossing and the infrastructure.  The developers followed our lead and the residential development has been successful.  Our commitment to a public safety station in downtown will also spawn commercial and residential infill development.
• 5– What policies would you push to make Jacksonville more attractive to businesses?
  • Answer:  Our city is already attractive to business.  That was accomplished with the annexation of Camp Lejeune because the new demographics were impressive to franchises.  However, we need to target downtown business because we are fortunate to have the attraction of the New River.  We will accomplish this by consolidating available land, packaging it into a town center design concept, then publishing a request for proposals.  The City’s contribution would be a parking structure to support the town center.
• 6– Many residents complain about the lack of recreational opportunities (swimming pools, parks, mountain bikiking trails, etc) in Jacksonville. What priorities will you have regarding recreation?
  • Answer:  I supported a swimming pool.  We had the opportunity to have a pool with Community Development funds.  Before Horace Mann moved into my neighborhood, he took the position that if we could not have a pool in every neighborhood, we should not have one.  So no one got a pool.  The problem with pools is that the same people who return the surveys asking for pools are not the same people who vote.  One suggested reason for the loss by incumbents in New Bern was their building a 4 million dollar pool.
• 7– 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 an new council?
  • Answer:  You are wrong.  The current council will not have the applications before the election.  If we did have time to make a hire, I would treat it just like any other city business.  Elections come and go, we cannot stop running the city because an election is coming.  That makes no sense.  Where is it written that one council has to stop working or functioning prior to an election?
• 8– 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?
  • Answer:  The Downtown Master Plan is a document.  It does require the replacing of anything. Our Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), through zoning, will impact more what can be built and how it will be built.  Even the UDO will not require buildings to be replaced.  I would place Mafaire Town Center (Wilmington) in downtown Jacksonville to revitalize the area.  Community Development can build CREATE homes on property it owns downtown to add a level of affordable homes.
• 9– 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 issue of open-governance?
  • Answer:  Government TV has been a blessing to the residents of metropolitan Jacksonville.  It has provided openness to our process. I remember the days when the biased presentation by the Daily News was all the public got.  I have never served on a more transparent council.  Horace Mann spoke of back-room deals during his tenure.   I have never participated in anything like that.  My challenge to anybody’s integrity is on the record, and memorialized in the videos of our meetings.  I am not allowed to add anything here.

It’s a move I’ve called sexist, ignorant and foolish.

Certainly, moms have a particular perspective on raising children. Certainly, in Jacksonville and Onslow County moms have to deal with particular issues that other moms (you know, the non-married-to-military kind) don’t. But, also certainly, dads have particular perspectives.

Dads in Onslow County deal with particular issues that other dads (you know, the non-military and non-married-to-military kind) don’t. Further, some  dads are dealing with being a “part-time” dad, whether it’s because of military deployments, separation or divorce and some dads are single parents.

Dads in these circumstances (in all circumstances, really…) are not just being ignored by Onslow Memorial, but relegated to a completely secondary role as a parent in most of American society. That’s pretty jacked up, isn’t it?

Back to Onslow Memorial’s search for bloggers…

I thought about sending in my own application and qualifications through their online form, but I imagine that I’d either be completely ignored (though, interestingly enough, there’s no “gender” box) or accused of fraud or…Something. Either way, it probably wouldn’t work out well for me. Instead, I’ll copy/paste the questions and answer them here. Follow the jump for the “application”.

Below are the questions from Onslow Memorial Hospital. My answer will be added as an indented bullet.

• Which blog would you like to write for? Check all that apply.
• TummyTime
• CuddleBugs
• TweenBeat
• RealiTeen
• TweenBeat (described as: “Conversations for, by and about Mothers of Kids 6-12”). Mini is 9 going on 16. It’s something I’m not looking forward to, but I seem to have been left out of the decision process on this.
• Have you contributed to any blogs in the past? Please describe briefly.
• I have indeed contributed to blogs in the past. In addition to having been the primary writer on three blogs (Brock Log was my first attempt at blogging; Onslow County Politics was my attempt at blogging local politics; and Bloviations, my current blog in which I cover just about anything), I’ve contributed to BlueNC, the foremost progressive/Democratic blog in NC. I also participate in many other blogs by way of comments.
• Are you currently writing and/or editing for any blogs? If so, please describe briefly.
• I am currently writing a blog. My blog is titled Bloviations (http://blogs.brocknet.net/blovations). I use this blog to write about my life, local events, local, state and national politics and just about any and everything else. I act as a webmaster/editor for several blogs in the BrockNet family, the premier blog is Eriepressible (http://blogs.brocknet.net/eriepressible).
• What is your previous writing experience?
• I have extensive writing experience as a blogger, as detailed above. I also have experience as a writer of government letters, awards, reports and training curricula over a nearly-14 year career in the United States Marine Corps, in and out of uniform.
• Submit 300 word autobiography.
• My biography is here. If I were submitting the online form, I’d paste it.
• Submit sample blog entry #1. Each entry should be at least 300 words.
• Interview: Delmer Asks Me Questions – If I were submitting the online form, I’d paste excerpts and links.
• Submit sample blog entry #2. Each entry should be at least 300 words.
• An Assortment of Dissociated and Disjointed Thoughts – If I were submitting the online form, I’d paste excerpts and links.
• Submit sample blog entry #3. Each entry should be at least 300 words.
• It’s not the worst day imaginable, but man, it’s been close. – If I were submitting the online form, I’d paste excerpts and links.

That’s my application to be a mommy-blogger for Onslow Memorial Hospital. Not that it matters, because I’m not a mommy…

On behalf of the Down East Cyclists’ bicycling club, I’d like to invite you to participate in the Down East Cyclists Family Fun Ride on October 10th, 2009 at 9 o’clock in the morning.

The Family Fun Ride will begin at the Onslow County Tax Office on Court Street and will follow the Rails-to-Trails Greenway to the Rev. Wooten Park.  At the park, there will be refreshments and a safety demonstration by the Jacksonville Police Department for children. For more advanced riders, the ride will continue to Camp Lejeune’s Main Gate facility where the riders will turn around and return to Rev. Wooten Park. The half-ride is approximately 5 miles and the longer ride is 13.

The "price" for admission is an item of non-perishable food, to be provided to the Onslow County Women’s Shelter. There will be prizes and gift bags for  participants.

Please send RSVPs to bicyclists@embarqmail.com. More information can be gotten at the Down East Cyclists’ website, www.downeastcyclists.com.

Below is a list of questions I will be sending to all the candidates within a few weeks. Give them a read and add your own in the comments I’ll add them to the questionaire before sending.

- 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?

– 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?

– 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?

– What priorities will you have regarding infill development within Jacksonville?

– What policies would you push to make Jacksonville more attractive to businesses?

– Many residents complain about the lack of recreational opportunities (swimming pools, parks, mountain bikiking trails, etc) in Jacksonville. What priorities will you have regarding recreation?

– 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 an new council?

– 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 suppoyrt to revitalize the Downtown area?

– Actions by the current Council have raised questions about transparency and integrity in Council-actions. What are your thoughts on te recent events and how would you address potential issues of open-governance?