Candidate forum videos

Your guide to video transcripts from the two-day forums held at Statesville High School.

IREDELL-STATESVILLE SCHOOL BOARD

 
• School board candidate forum questions
     
  • The Iredell-Statesville school district has received national recognition for its "Model of Performance Excellence" which has been the Board of Education’s model for becoming a top 10 district in the state. Do you support the current model for performance excellence? If not, what model would you use in its place?
     
  • In the past, many parents of special needs students have had difficulties working with the EC department in order to get the services needed for their children. What will you do to improve the IEP process?
     
  • From your perspective, what are the major strengths and major weaknesses of   the Iredell-Statesville Schools? 
     
  • How does the teacher supplement in Iredell-Statesville Schools compare to those in surrounding or competing communities, and how can we best attract new teachers into this community?
     
  • What grade would you give the superintendent for the past four years?
     
  • When was the last time you visited a local school and had meaningful conversations with the teachers there? How do you personally stay in touch with the needs and concerns of parents, teachers and students of our schools?
   

   

 

• Candidate bios and opening statements
   
   

     
  • district 2
         
    • David Cash
         
    • John Miller (Miller was not present at the forum)
         
    • Morris Roseman
         
    • Marshall M. Stewart
         

       

     

  • district 4
         

         
    • Mark James
         
    • Keith Williams
         

       

   

   

22A DISTRICT ATTORNEY

 
• 22A District Attorney candidate forum questions
     
  • There’s a sense that our courts can’t handle today’s caseload. With the expected residential growth moving this way, how would you ensure that criminal defendants do not spend three years in the county jail awaiting trial?
     
  • What role can the DA’s office play in ensuring that offenders who need drug and alcohol treatment actually get it?
     
  • Mr. Van Buren has publicly criticized prosecutors in Iredell County for accepting a low percentage of the felony cases submitted by law enforcement and for dropping too many cases it does accept. What is your response to this and can voters expect any significant changes if you are elected?
     
  • From your perspective, what is the most frustrating part about being an assistant district attorney? How would you work to change that if you are elected?
     
  • When circumstances permit, do you support the death penalty? When was the last time your office sought it
   

   

 
• Candidates’ opening statements and bios
     
  • Sarah Kirkman
     
  • Alan Martin
     
  • Michael Van Buren
   

   

N.C. HOUSE DISTRICT 95

 
• District 95 forum questions
     
  • Attracting new industry to the community is of paramount importance. A key factor in the recruitment of new industry is the value of incentives. Under the state’s current three-tier system of incentives, Iredell County does not play on a level playing field with "competitors" such as Hickory or Salisbury. What can you do about the current tier structure to make us more competitive?
     
  • Do you believe the current cap on charter schools is in the best interest of North Carolina schoolchildren?
     
  • What would you do to see that our area gets more state funds, in particular for education?
     
  • What will it take for the Charlotte region to get its fair share of state transportation funding?
     
  • When was the last time you visited a local school and had a meaningful conversation with the teachers there?
     
  • There has been discussion about expanding unionization efforts of public safety employees in North Carolina. What is your position?
     
  • North Carolina is the only state in the nation that has mandated that county governments pay a portion of the Medicaid expenses within the county, yet our counties have no control over those expenses. This year there is a cap on Medicaid reimbursements back to the state. What will you do to protect this county’s interests in future years?
   

   

 
• District 95 candidate bios and opening statements
     
  • Grey Mills
     
  • Karen Ray
   

   

COUNTY COMMISSION

 
• Republican candidate questions
     
  • How do we pay for the infrastructure that growth will demand?
     
  • Would you support impact fees and/or real estate transfer fees to lessen the tax burden as it pertains to infrastructure and construction of new schools?
     
  • Do you support the continued effort to raise local teacher supplements to attract and retain highly qualified staff? If so, how do you propose we fund it?
     
  • What role do you think we play in the Charlotte region? What will you do to see that our role in the region is maintained or enhanced?
     
  • How will you help Mitchell Community College meet the needs of a growing population?
     
  • How do you propose we keep Statesville’s youth?
   

   

 
• Democratic candidate questions
     
  • Is growth typically a good thing? Explain - how do we pay for the infrastructure that growth will demand?
     
  • How should commissioners pay for the necessary jail and courthouse expansion? Would you support a property tax increase to pay for these projects?
     
  • Iredell-Statesville’s per pupil spending is below the state average. To provide our students the quality of education and 21st century skills needed to keep Iredell competitive, the amount will have to increase. What new initiatives do you propose?
     
  • A tough, unpopular issue comes to your desk. You know it is unpopular but it really is the best thing for the community. Are you elected to represent the people and their views or are you elected so that the people trust you to make the right call for their best interests?
     
  • Should commissioners have called for a voter referendum instead of issuing the latest round of COPs for school construction and landfill expansion? Why?
     
  • How would you keep informed about the needs and concerns of constituents?
     
  • Proponents of a north Iredell park have not been able to raise enough money to develop a park on county-owned land. Should taxpayers fund the ballfields, walking trails, picnic shelters and facilities necessary to open this park?
     
  • Iredell commissioners rolled the property tax rate back 2 cents to $0.445 (per $100 valuation) last spring. Given the significant increase in property values, was that sufficient? If you advocate a larger rate cut, what services would be reduced?
     
  • Would you support light rail into Iredell County?
   

   

 
• Republican candidate bios and opening statements
     
  • Godfrey Williams
     
  • Ken Robertson
     
  • Brad Howard
     
  • Gene Houpe
     
  • Scott Keadle
   

   

 

• Democratic candidate bios and opening statements
   

     
  • Chuck Gallyon
     
  • Eugene Shuffler
     
  • Mark Vanek
     
  • Fred Coggins
     
  • Barbara Orr (Orr was not available for the forums)
   

   

Comments

Should Iredell Co share the costs that Mooresville is paying to CATS for the 83x Express Bus Service to Charlotte; since a large number of riders live in the county and not in the city of Mooresville?

Posted by 83rider on 04/28/08 at 08:23 PM

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