Below, please find responses from Mitch Abraham, who is seeking re-election to the seat of Ward 1 Commissioner. Abraham's challenger, Eddie Dingler, never responded to Report calls requesting his e-mail address to which to send the questions.
Abraham: I have learned from serving on several transportation committees that Transportation works on a 40 to 50 year horizon. We, as a municipality are dependent on NCDOT for 90% of that planning horizon. The other 10% we as a Board of Commissioners have chosen in the past 3-4 years to commit taxpayer monies on local priority projects, in conjunction with NCDOT, but are not on the state list of priorities. The new Brawley School Road interchange was designed to alleviate traffic backups. The design of this interchange went through NCDOT's traffic engineer's movement studies before the correct design was chosen. This particular interchange is based on "single point urban interchange" design, similar if you will, to the Tyvola interchange in Charlotte. The design is based on two lanes off, two lanes on, which is what we have road wise to the west with the new construction. With the completion of the first phase of this interchange from Williamson Road west, one can see and use this success of traffic flow as a model for this new interchange. It is also important to note, that a lot of morning and evening traffic comes from those who live on Brawley Road, west of Williamson towards The Point, The Farms, and other subdivisions. They presently use Exit 33 and 36 for their on/off access. This new exit will help reduce congestion at both of these exits and further help move traffic in Mooresville.
Dingler: did not respond.
2. Re: MI-Connection: What do you believe we should do with the system? What will ever happen that might possibly make it a viable (sellable) business venture? If it can't generate a consistent profit, should it be auctioned off? Would you consider a plan to make MI-Connection reimburse the Town of Mooresville for its budget shortfalls, assuming it eventually breaks even? Are you planning to refund most of the $16 million in reserves to the rightful owners, the taxpayers? Why is the town in the cable TV/Internet/phone-service business anyway? Wouldn't there be a temptation to violate email privacy on some level or another since the town is involved?
Abraham: Since the question was asked, I need to remind you that I did vote "no" on this system. Originally, with 5 towns and Mecklenburg County being involved, more customers, plus Meck. Cty being the financial backer, it made some sense. When the players changed, the system cost did not make sense to me and many of the Ward 1 constituents that I represent. I have, however, since it did pass, been active in trying to make the system the least cost to our taxpayers and to become profitable. MI has made better strides in the last year to re-organize, through transition of becoming more self-sufficient, managed by local management and becoming more cost efficient. It would be speculative to say we should auction it off, that would be an easy answer. At the present time, MI is making money to handle the operations side, but the debt service is not being taken care of, that is why Mooresville and Davidson have been appropriating money the last two years. To reimburse the town would be just paying ourselves back. Mooresville is one of the owners of the system and we need to help make it work. Yes, I would be in favor of viable offers of established company's to purchase, lease, partner with MI, as long as it is can be done under the existing inter-local agreements and parameters, and to the best benefit to the Mooresville citizens.
Abraham: Since the question was asked, I need to remind you that I did vote "no" on this system. Originally, with 5 towns and Mecklenburg County being involved, more customers, plus Meck. Cty being the financial backer, it made some sense. When the players changed, the system cost did not make sense to me and many of the Ward 1 constituents that I represent. I have, however, since it did pass, been active in trying to make the system the least cost to our taxpayers and to become profitable. MI has made better strides in the last year to re-organize, through transition of becoming more self-sufficient, managed by local management and becoming more cost efficient. It would be speculative to say we should auction it off, that would be an easy answer. At the present time, MI is making money to handle the operations side, but the debt service is not being taken care of, that is why Mooresville and Davidson have been appropriating money the last two years. To reimburse the town would be just paying ourselves back. Mooresville is one of the owners of the system and we need to help make it work. Yes, I would be in favor of viable offers of established company's to purchase, lease, partner with MI, as long as it is can be done under the existing inter-local agreements and parameters, and to the best benefit to the Mooresville citizens.
Dingler: did not respond.
3. Re: town employees: Are you going to take away town cars and just pay mileage when the workers are in town at the office? Are you going to put town employees' pay and benefits on par with the taxpayer? Are you going to stop the firetrucks from running up and down the road wearing out the trucks and wasting gas? Is there is a formal grievance procedure against town employees?
Abraham: In our last budget process, it was asked and identified with a print out of what vehicles the ToM has, what vehicles are signed out and are allowed to be used as a needs basis or as a Dept. Head need. It was established at that time that there were 59 police cars assigned. They are monitored and have a circle of radius that keeps them local. There were 2-3 that were authorized to go past that radius, but that no more privileges of this nature would be granted. There were 13 other cars that were assigned to department heads, town manager, or those who had on call duties per their employment. The Board continues to monitor this program and will make changes as are needed per circumstances. Firetrucks on the road are usually out doing inspections on either fire hydrants, buildings, etc., they are for a public safety purpose which I support. Public safety is nothing that I am willing to gamble on. If a citizen has a grievance against an employee, the should call the supervisor in charge of this employee, then on to the town manager. The town manager is in charge of personnel decisions.
Dingler: did not respond.
4. Re: the Mooresville Municipal Golf Course: The golf course has been a financial drain for many years and unfairly costs taxpayers to the advantage of non-residents. Will you finally lease this business to private enterprise? Would you be willing to sell or close the golf course? Are you willing to change the golf course into something that either makes money or is at least usable by more people than a handful of golfers? Do you know how many golf pros we have on the payroll? Do you know how much we're paying those pros? Do you think we need that many pros for a golf course that's been losing money for over 10 years? How exactly do you plan to cut costs at the golf course? Do any town employees get to play golf for free at the Mooresville Golf Course? If so, who are they? Do they get free carts, free golf clubs, etc.? How does this affect the bottom dollar?
Abraham: The Mooresville Municipal Golf Course is an asset for Mooresville.. The course has had a high round total of near 50K in the past and has also made its budget many years, with grounds maintenance included. It is no secret throughout the golf world, at least in this region, that all courses are down in number of rounds played, both private and public courses. Many factors are involved from hot weather, to the downturn in the economy, to rain, etc.. The course the past two years has needed approx. $300K to make it break even, this includes costs for buildings and grounds. We presently have 2 PGA pros on staff, with part time staff to take care of both the course and the snack shop. Both of them came qualified as PGA pros and are an asset to the course and town with their employment. It is presently a requirement for employment at the course(Club House) and the Board would have to change the job descriptions for future hires. If the question is could we survive with less or just one? Yes we could. In my 8 years on the board, we have looked at private enterprise at least 3 times. There are definite pros/cons, but it all boiled down to losing local control of the towns assets and managing the citizens assets. Both positions have a total salary of approx. $120K, 62/57 split. This is listed on ToM website. The staff has set prices to accommodate play, they are aggressive in MWGA play, MGA play, corporate leagues, tournament play for churches, corporations, etc., they are being Internet savvy in advertising, etc. Changes are continuing to be studied and implemented.
Dingler: did not respond.
5. Re: water/sewer costs: Our water/sewer rates are some of the highest in the region. How do you plan to address this? Can you bring them back in line? We keep increasing water and sewer capacity and claim that we must increase rates to pay for it. Doesn't the additional capacity generate additional revenue? Do you plan to cut water/sewer rates?
Abraham: With the water/sewer infrastructure upgrades almost all complete, we should realize a flattening of the tax rates for both water and sewer. We were able to not raise them in this current budget and would hope that this can be continued in future budgets. The rates were affected by the construction, but were twofold. They did pay for the new construction and debt service, but also created fund balances in the water/sewer enterprise funds to help in the future to not acquire debt when a major event happens. This is protecting the citizens from excessive borrowing and interest payments. Everyone must realize that the water/sewer enterprise fund is an in/out money flow, pay as you go system. We cannot supplement that fund with general fund monies. It is a separate entity that must pay for itself. With the addition of water users such as the recent announcement of Niagara Water, we will see a profit from this large water user and will eventually see benefits to the citizens of Mooresville, which could include reduction in water/sewer fees.
Dingler: did not respond.
6. Re: Town-issued credit cards: Are you aware of who (elected or non-elected officials) has town-issued credit cards and how they are used? What is your opinion on upper-management having such credit cards? How closely would you supervise the usage of such credit cards?
Abraham: We have received a list of town issued credit card users and the limits on the cards. No elected officials have credit cards. Our finance department has a tremendous tracking program for these cards are very adamant in paperwork/receipts turned in. I have seen this program in action and it is, as should be in Gov't finance, down to the penny. I am aware of why department heads have a card and the use they play in emergency matters. I have complete comfort and confidence in our finance department and auditor that the supervision of this program is at the highest level.
Dingler: did not respond.
7. Re: Town ordinances: If you are elected, you will take an oath to uphold Mooresville ordinances. The town's sidewalk ordinance states property owners are responsible for the cost of sidewalks. Why are tax revenues being used to pay those costs now? Mooresville's garbage ordinance states that garbage is to be collected in 96-gallon (town provided) containers only. Why are bags and boxes of garbage picked up daily? Mooresville's garbage ordinance also states that building materials, carpet and padding placed at the curb will not be accepted for pickup. Why is it being picked up daily? Mooresville's parking ordinance states that vehicles are to be parked along the curb facing the direction of travel. Why is that not enforced? We have had a traffic engineer for two or three years now, and there has been no improvement whatsoever in downtown traffic flow. How and when is this going to be addressed? Despite having a traffic engineer for two or three years, the State spends $46 million on Brawley, complete with 100 yards of two-lane bottleneck between I-77 and US21. How and when will this be addressed? Mooresville spent $100,000 to install fiber optic cable for Cornelius Park this past year. What possible justification can there be for this expenditure when entire towns can operate on four fibers? When will these misappropriations stop?
Abraham: The current sidewalk project at Fieldstone/Magnolia is funded by a federal CMAQ grant. Public Works will sometimes replace sidewalks using Powell funds, which are also a federal road tax given back to us on a rated formula yearly, Not aware of the situation you may be talking about. Our garbage pickup annually is one of the most positive services that we hear feedback on from the citizens. Occasionally, our street technicians will go the extra mile to pick up extra items. I would contend that building materials, carpet, padding are not picked up, as in my travels around town daily, I see a lot of this sitting in place for a long time. Does this mean it sometimes gets picked up, probably so, but as a general rule, no. The remaining questions are simply not answerable, because in my opinion the writer is asking them with prejudice. I would answer these in person if the writer calls, stops me or sends me an email.
Dingler: did not respond.
8. What is your position on a commuter rail to Mooresville? Would you support Mooresville being the end of the red line to Charlotte?
Abraham: The Redline is a transportation plus for Mooresville and the entire region. It's use as a reverse commute for our industries such as Lowe's, would be tremendous. The present Redline Task Force is touting a "dual freight/commuter line aspect". It is formulating an economic plan to join 9 entities from Mecklenburg County to Iredell County. It has some very exciting aspects and promotes true regionalism for economic growth and benefits for all involved. The Redline, combined with the widening of I-77, are two transportation programs that weigh heavy on our continued success as a top economic driver in the State!! We won't be the end of the line with the new proposals, but there would be worse things to be at the end of. I support the concept, but the funding source is my main deciding factor. I won't jeopardize Mooresville with excessive, unwanted debt service. This must be publicly vetted and approved.
Dingler: did not respond.
9. Exit 36 is an example of uncontrolled business growth that strangles the infrastructure. What will you do to prevent the new I-77 exits from turning into the same?
Abraham: Exit 36 has many different business growth practices that developed after the fact. With the use of Small Area Planning, Land Use development ordinances put in place in recent years, we as a town have situated the growth at these new interchanges to work in a concerted effort of business/traffic flow principles to make everything built work for the best of the citizens.
Dingler: did not respond.
10. Would you support a change to the full-time mayor concept vs. the town-manager form of government? Why or why not?
Abraham: No, I would not support a change from the council-manager form of government that the ToM presently uses. Simply, a professional town manager(trained in public administration/business) running the daily business of the town is the most effective type of government. North Carolina is a leader in our government system nationally and has a strong School of Government at Chapel Hill that is a tremendous support to local municipalities, as well a leader in producing candidates for public administrative positions. The School of Government also has great continuing education programs for all levels of municipal government.
Dingler: did not respond.
11. What opportunities to reduce town spending do you see, and how would you realize them?
Abraham: The present Town Board along with staff has been working hard, especially the last 4-5 years in reducing spending and making town government more efficient. This last year alone, we reduced the budget by 3.8 million through the initiation of priority-based budgeting. The prior year the reduction was done by an across the board reduction(Town Board direction to the Town Manager) that also saved a similar number in savings. As early as 2007, the financial downfall was being forecast and at that time, through job attrition, freezing hiring of positions in the budget, stopping non-essential purchases, delaying capital equipment purchases, we started a means to make the Mooresville budget work with less spending and more efficiently.
Through this Priority-based budgeting process that is in the works, through citizen's input, Town staff (Dept Heads to employees), Commissioners the Town Manager should and will be able to put the most efficient budget numbers together to allow the best quality of life for our citizens. The process will make all of us ask the hard questions of should staff be reduced, should services be reduced, any and all things are on the table. I must add that Public Safety will not be an area of reduction. Public Safety is at the top of all the commissioner's priority's. That is not to say that we will not look for efficiencies in these departments to make them run better.
Dingler: did not respond.
12. Would you pledge to hold all taxes at their present rate by adjusting spending to address inflation and not vote to increase them during your elected term?
Abraham: I have pledged personally and through my oath of office to do what is best for the citizens of Mooresville. The present course of the Town Board has been to not raise property taxes. The last time they were raised was in 2007. I see no reason that this will change. With the budget process being a number one priority this last year, we are committed to becoming more efficient with what the citizens give to the Town in the form of taxes. We did not raise water/sewer rates this year, and will hopefully be able to keep this trend in place, also.
Dingler: did not respond.
13. Would you be in favor of establishing a committee of non-elected, non-government employed, citizen volunteers to investigate charges against elected officials' integrity as it applies to selling favors or otherwise realizing improper gain while in office?
Abraham: I have not seen the need to establish a committee of this nature in Mooresville. We have a code of ethics adopted in Mooresville, and mandated ethics training by the state, that control these issues.
Dingler: did not respond.
14. What is your position on any public official (elected or otherwise) accepting any type of “gift” from developers? What would you classify as a “gift”?
Abraham: The Mooresville Personnel policy dictates what a gift is for the employees from Town Manager down. Elected should be held to no less than that. I personally think it is wrong to accept any gift from any citizen.
Dingler: did not respond.
15. Why isn't there a disability-resource person, or even a volunteer, in a town this size?
Abraham: I would need more information describing what this person is before answering this question. This is more of a County cost or employee, we as a town do not handle this type of government employee.
Dingler: did not respond.
16. Do you think that a person's religious views would interfere with him or her being a good mayor or commissioner. If so, why?
Abraham: No, not particularly. It would be more dependent on how they use their religious views and is really an individual value issue. The separation of church and state is very defined.
Dingler: did not respond.
17. All the candidates touted the sidewalk program, but West Wilson Avenue, which is a main gateway to Historic Downtown Mooresville, has none. What do you propose to enhance this boulevard-style street that leads to downtown?
Abraham: Plans are in hand to eventually put sidewalks on West Wilson, the cost and the right timing are what is the hold up. Sidewalks and connectivity are a concern of the Board and we have asked for continued staff input, to bring us feasible projects across town, with possible grants, ideas to finance sections of sidewalks, one project at a time. I would pledge to continue this program of connectivity of our neighborhoods.
Dingler: did not respond.
18. Many municipalities have passed ordinances prohibiting parking cars on front lawns. Many homes have multiple vehicles parked on the lawn, which is perfectly legal according to current zoning. What would you propose to do about this unsightly practice which also causes front lawns to deteriorate thereby giving the impression that the town is a rural, backwoods place?
Abraham: Our ordinances address this policy and Planning/Zoning administer these areas. Notice of violations are given in cases that warrant them. The best manner for citizens to ask is the question is to call Planning/Zoning directly to report a perceived problem. They will be able to answer any questions and/or investigate a claim of wrongdoing. The system works, I have personally inquired on behalf of constituents, and in almost every case have found that they have either sent a NOV or were monitoring the situation. I support personal property rights and would not be in favor of taking away the rights of a homeowner from parking on their front lawn.
Dingler: did not respond.
19. How closely do you know the current town manager, Erskine Smith? Considering all the past controversies surrounding him, would you be a proponent of conducting a search for a more viable replacement?
Abraham: I have known Mr. Smith professionally and consider him the viable replacement. The ToM has invested in Mr. Smith during his 23 years of employment, and in his current position he is using this investment for the citizens of Mooresville. Believe me that this current board has vetted with Mr. Smith all of the past and his contract reflects the professionalism we are looking for and also treats him in professional standards. As always, the town manager serves at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioner, and Mr. Smith is well aware of this!!
Dingler: did not respond.
20. Would you support hiring an internal auditor who reports directly to the town board? Why? Why not?
Abraham: The town has a CPA. This position answers by chain of command to the financial director, then the Town manager. We frequently get reports and she is asked by the Board to report on issues as we see them and need clarification. As far as an internal auditor on staff, we are better off hiring a internal auditor as required. This creates a cost efficiency and one less employee with benefits.
Dingler: did not respond.
21. Are you aware of double standards and selective leniency when it comes to payment of dues for rooms rented at the Charles Mack Center? It is my understanding, for example, that the Chamber of Commerce strong-armed the town into not collecting any dues for its use of the facilities. Is this true? If so, what is your opinion on this matter? How would you rectify it?
Abraham: The CMCC has a very defined rental rate package for all citizens. They are not selective at all. The rates are well defined and fairly administered to non-profit and profit groups. The Chamber of Commerce, Mooresville Graded School District, EDC, ISS school system, MDC and the Senior Center are grandfathered with limited free use with stipulations as during the week and regular work hours, no extra staff needed for their use, no fees charged by them. The Center director has defined limits of what can be done and they are monitored from time to time by Board inquiry.
Dingler: did not respond.
22. Are you aware of the benefits package offered to town employees and elected officials? What does that benefit package include and how much is it valued at per year per employee/official?
Abraham: The salaries per employees are listed on the ToM website. These are base salaries per position. Benefits to our employees include single health insurance, family insurance is available, but employees pay for spouses/children, it is quite high. This year the board made the prior longevity pay on a set schedule, no longer a percentage of salary. There is also a merit pay system for employees that is based on a review by supervisors. Criteria needs to be met to realize any % increase. 3% is usually the highest merit pay. 401-K is a state-mandated benefit, similar to school teachers or other state employees. All of this information is public knowledge and I would advise any citizen to please call our finance director with any questions.
Dingler: did not respond.
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