Union County - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

CommunityStallings mayoral raceEditor’s Note: This week, Union County Weekly is featuring candidates in Stallings’ mayoral and council races. The candidates’responses to all of the questions can be found on our Web site, www.unioncountyweekly.com. Please note, we’ll run the questionnaireswe receive, but because of volume, we can’t send reminders. If UCW doesn’t hear from a candidate, nothing will appear.– Pat Higgins, EditorLucy DrakeBackground: An Iredell County native,Drake has lived in Stallings for 34 years.She’s a Realtor-broker with JamisonRealty in Matthews and is married to adecorated Vietnam veteran. Drake hasthree children and five grandchildren. Shesaid she became active in the communityas an advocate for special-needs childrenas a result of having an autistic son. Drake also said she gainedgreat personal satisfaction by raising funds for an injured Stallingspolice officer and for a female officer’s sibling with cancer. Sheenjoys offshore sport fishing, riding the Intercoastal Waterway andattending Thunderbirds and Blue Angels air shows.Why are you running for mayor?I feel I have the experience and qualifications to lead Stallings in apositive direction. We’re facing critical decisions with transportationissues that can completely wipe out a large part of the town’scommercial tax base. I have eight years of experience working withNorth Carolina Department of Transportation-District 10 that I feelLynda Paxton – IncumbentBackground: Paxton is an area nativewho’s lived in Stallings for 40 years. She’sa retired school psychologist with 20-plusyears in Charlotte and is currently a Realtorwith Keller Williams. Paxton has anM.S. in school psychology from WinthropUniversity and a B.A. from Eastern CarolinaUniversity. She’s an at-large memberwill benefit the citizens. I have experience in economic developmentand the knowledge to know we need more and new commercialbusiness to offset residents’ tax burdens. With Stallings losing a vastportion of our commercial tax base, experience is critical to keep thetown headed in a positive direction.What are your qualifications for office?I have eight years experience as prior mayor. During my tenure,the town council and I were instrumental in hiring the firsttown manager; changing the town’s form of government frommayor-council, even though it reduced the mayor’s authority andinvolvement in daily decisions; implementing the town’s policedepartment; establishing the planning department and staff; havingpublic comment added to the agenda; and many other obstacles thetown council faced. I have eight years of experience on the board ofPiedmont Behavioral Health, a five-county mental health board, andwas chairman in 2007-08.What are the three most important issues in Stallings?1. Transportation: Stallings can’t afford to roll the dice whenplaying with the Department of Transportation. Being direct andhonest, (showing) respect and working out a solution that’s best forof the Levine Senior Center Board and member of the Edward JonesClient Advisory Board, both in Matthews. Paxton’s daughter and soninlaw also live in Stallings with her granddaughter, Kiersten, who shesays is the joy of her life. She said she loves to play bridge and escapeto Sunset Beach.Why are you running for mayor again?I’m running for re-election because we’ve started a number ofinitiatives that I want to finish, such as the park master plan, sidewalkgrant connecting communities to the school and Stallings Roadthe whole town is the right direction. Supporting the Chestnut Laneextension would preserve (our) businesses’ characters. The Monroebypass needs to go back to the drawing board. The original optionsupported by the prior town council enabled eastbound Highway 74traffic to stay on that road or pay a toll to bear left, which would bethe best option for our town. I’d push to keep us the true Gatewayto Union County, not the Great Wall of Stallings, which would giveus 12 lanes of asphalt and two 25-foot concrete barriers and wipeout our businesses on Highway 74.2. Economic development: Protect existing businesses and fosternew commercial development by providing adequate infrastructureand a positive business climate.3. Parks and pedestrian connectivity: Parks are very important tome; they represent family values. The prior parks and rec committeeheld concerts and movies in the park. The program was taken out ofoperation for three years until this summer. Playground equipment,walking trails, sports fields and green space are vital. I’d support thecommittee; these citizens take time to contribute their ideas andtheir input deserves respect. I’d also push spending Powell Bill fundsto continue building sidewalks to Union West Library, shoppingcenters, Stallings Elementary School and town parks. Connectivity tothe subdivisions is vital for our residents’ safety and well being. qImprovements/Streetscape. We’ve discussed the benefits of a five-yearplan with projections for revenues, expenditures and capital projects,but we still need to prioritize, develop the plan and ensure it’s feasible.I’ve shelved some ideas for promoting commercial development untilthe economic climate’s better, but I hope to get some things beforecouncil in the next term.What are your qualifications for mayor?I’ve lived here for 40 years but I’ve been “married” to the town(more on page 15)ExceptionalDentistryAt the Union CoUnty Center for Comprehensive DentistryCase of tHe MontHTo transform this smile, Dr. Hess used an implant to replacethe missing tooth. Thin porcelain veneers were used to givethe remaining front teeth a rejuvenated appearance.Another beautiful and natural result from Dr. Hess!Dr. Hess personally treats his patients one at a time in a comfortable,stress-free setting. Dr Hess is an associate faculty member of the DawsonAcademy. He is a frequently published author, and lectures nationallyon advanced comprehensive care and cosmetic techniques. Financingfor treatment is available.LeonarD a. 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