Union County - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

CommunityStallings candidates(continued from page 15)Philippi – Mayoral Candidate (cont.)What are the three most important issues inStallings?1. Most important is to gain the council’s respect.There’s nothing wrong with the mayor disagreeing withcouncil and it’s OK to argue his or her case, quite passionately.However, when the council acts and votes ona matter it’s the mayor’s duty to stop dissent and do allpossible for a favorable outcome for the town.2. Reduce taxes – Weddington is our neighbor(with) about the same population, yet their taxrate is only 3 cents per $100; Hemby Bridge is 2.5cents; Indian Trail is twice our size with a tax rate ofonly 4.5 cents. Our tax rate is 21.9 cents. Our policedepartment is the single highest expense. We needto explore forming a regional police departmentwith our neighbors, sharing a significant part of thegeneral overhead and/or review the table of organizationfor our department and see if there are anysavings to be realized.3. Attract appropriate commercial growth compatiblewith our town to help balance the taxburden. qStallings council raceReed Esarove – District 2Background: Esarove said he and his family movedfrom Charlotte to Stallings more than three years agofor the small-town feeling and close proximity to somany amenities. He holds a criminology degree fromFlorida State University and has run his own businessand several others. Esarove is active in his church,scouting and T-ball, as well as swim team and manyother school and sports activities.Why are you running for town council?Stallings is a great town and I enjoy living here. I’mrunning because I want to be part of Stallings’ future.Smart growth, while maintaining its small-town feel,is my desire for a positive direction. I pride myself on(being able) to listen to public concerns and facilitatesolutions. I believe there needs to be open policy inevery facet of government. I’m also running because Ihave the energy and desire to accomplish the job thatserving on the town council requires.What are your qualifications for office?I’ve lived in Stallings for over three years and currentlyserve on the Stallings Parks and Recreation Committee.My family and I are active in church, scoutingand T-ball. I have run and operated businesses bothlarge and small, including my own. I understand financialreporting and conservative fiscal management. Ihold the citizens’ opinions in high regard and respectour tax dollars and how they’re spent.Marvin annexation(continued from page 5)not offer enough “meaningful services”to the annexed area.According to state law, for an involuntaryannexation to be approved, theannexing municipality must improveor offer nine services: police and fireprotection, streetlights, street maintenance,solid-waste removal, administrativeservices, water and sewer services,animal control, and parks and recreation.In Marvin, fire protection serviceswouldn’t need to change for any annexation,as the Wesley Chapel VolunteerFire Department already serves the villageand surrounding unincorporatedarea. qWhat are the three most important issues inStallings?One of the most important issues facing Stallingsis the development of a plan for sustainable growth.Assuming or hoping that another government entityis responsible for something that inhibits our townisn’t good enough. We need to develop a thoroughunderstanding of how the bypass is going to affect thetown and plan for it. Second, we need to spend timedeveloping our business and retail districts so they (can)grow as their businesses grow. We need to do this ina format that preserves Stallings’ small-town appeal.The groundwork has been started but needs emphasis.Last, we need to look at the town’s infrastructure andconcurrency to make sure that it’s at a level that it cansustain redevelopment of key areas within the town. qSpeakers and topics include:Jason Klinger – District 6· Dr. Nicole Abinanti, radiologist:Screening options for the high-risk patientIf cancer runs inyour family,we’d like towelcome you to ours.InHERitanceA FREE SEMINAR FOR HIGH-RISK WOMEN· Dr. J. Matt McDonald, gynecologic oncologist:Understanding genetically linked cancers· Christen Csuy, certified genetic counselor:Ethics, insurance and genetic testing· High-risk patient testimonials:Finding the balance as a high-risk womanBackground: Klinger and his wife, Sarah, have livedin the area nine years, moving to Callonwood in 2005.He holds a B.S. in geography and planning from OhioUniversity and has worked for Mecklenburg County foreight years, learning about municipal government.Why are you running for office?For a long time, Stallings has had a council thathasn’t acted on the issues, nor have they acted withStallings’ best interest in mind. Stallings (must) havea council that will listen to what the citizens want andmake decisions in their best interests. I want to seeStallings grow in a planned, structured way withoutforgetting the past that has made Stallings a wonderfulplace to live. Raised in a small town by two educators,I learned the importance of local decisions. It’s herethat you can have a direct link to what happens closeto home. That’s why I feel that running for (council) isso important. Since the first day I moved to Stallings,I’ve been informed and involved. I pledge to listen andmake decisions based on your input.What are your qualifications for office?I’ve been involved with Stallings for over three andhalf years, first as chairman of the Storm Water Committeeand later on the Planning Board. Both positionsreally work closely with Stallings’ developmentand growth. As an environmental specialist, my professionalexperience allows me to work closely with(more on page 18)Thursday, September 17, 6 to 8 p.m.Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, Community Room1500 Matthews Township ParkwayMatthews, NC 28105Wednesday, October 14, 6 to 8 p.m.Presbyterian Hospital HuntersvilleVideoconference Room 110030 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC 28078Call 704-384-CARE to register forthese free events. For more information,visit www.presbyterian.org/cancerwww.unioncountyweekly.comPRESB-15043-09 inHERitance Ad Resize.indd 1Union County Weekly • Sept. 11-17, 2009 • Page 179/8/09 12:12 PM