Iredell County Commission Candidate Brad Howard responds

Here are Mooresville resident Brad Howard's responses to your questions:

1. What is your position on the CATS 83X bus line and specifically the need for the county to contribute funding to help support this service for the residents of Mooresville/South Iredell?

Transportation is a definite concern to the citizens of Iredell County. The actual question that should be asked is, “how do we fund our transportation needs for the future, in general?” The answer is, we must look to other regions and study the solutions they have used. “Pennies for Progress” is one example that South Carolina is using. The key is, we must move away from funding these projects with property tax revenues.

2. What proposed funding solutions do you have to address overall traffic issues in Mooresville/South Iredell?

The first question that must be answered is: why is Iredell County not receiving it’s “fair share” of funding from Raleigh?

I would be opposed to increasing Iredell County’s property tax rate to widen roads.

We must look to economic expansion of our commercial regions to help offset the continued strain our rapid haphazard expansion has created.

Another option I will continue investigating is the success in South Carolina of their “pennies for progress” initiative. I will not commit to or against, but will continue to study the possibilities and impacts, the pros and cons.

3. What is your funding solution and solutions in general for bringing commuter rail into Mooresville/South Iredell? Just as a side note, I am very tired of generic, divisive and non-definitive answers - they are no longer acceptable – we need solutions now.

I am opposed to increasing the property tax rate to fund the commuter rail. CATS can’t give Iredell County a firm, realistic cost estimate. I am certainly not going to give CATS and Mecklenburg County a blank check. When CATS can offer a definite funding solution, then bring a proposal back to the table. As it stands today, I will not open Iredell County taxpayers to that uncertain liability.

4. What is your position on our school districts in Mooresville/Iredell County? We currently have two. Do you support keeping both districts? Why or why not?

Absolutely… With 2 districts you breed competition between systems. Competition only makes for better quality in education.

5. Provide your definition of quality of life for Iredell County residents. Is it different for those in Mooresville/South Iredell vs. the rest of the county?

Quality of life is being an integral part of a place where you feel at peace; at home, at work, and at play. It is a place where you can find a job, take in natural beauty; where you enjoy your family, your friends & your neighbors. North Iredell is a generational agricultural economy; Central Iredell is a historically rich industrial based region; South Iredell is host to Lake Norman, motorsports, and corporate work centers. Whatever your definition of quality of life; Iredell County is certainly blessed with an abundance in all regions.

6. Do you believe transportation issues have an impact on the quality of life for Mooresville/Iredell County residents? If so, what are your proposed solutions?

Traffic congestion is a problem being felt in the counties that surround Mecklenburg. One could argue that it is both a blessing and a curse. In North Carolina, we depend on Raleigh to fund our highways. However, as more and more people move here to enjoy our quality of life, and North Carolina fails to respond to our needs, transportation becomes the issue. We address this by adopting a comprehensive land use plan. This is a tool that will help steer growth along existing infrastructure, and protect the farms and green space.

7. How would you go about facilitating a more collaborative and productive working relationship with the Town of Mooresville? What you would do to ensure this is a results-driven relationship? Please be specific in your recommendations.

I will work to build and strengthen the relationship between Iredell County and the municipalities; Statesville, Troutman, & Mooresville. We must focus on solving the real issues, not making quick fixes.

I currently chair the MSIEDC Developer’s Council, which is a collaboration of Iredell County and the municipalities, both school systems and life safety and the development community. The goal is to focus on finding long-term solutions to meet our long term infrastructure needs.

Iredell County and Mooresville’s relationship has grown stronger in the last few years. I believe I could be an integral part of furthering that relationship.

8. Why should a resident of south Iredell vote for you? What makes you different from the existing commissioners, and how will you represent the interest of the residents of Mooresville/South Iredell?

I have a strong, diverse, & successful business background. I am a native of Iredell County. I understand the issues and have witnessed the changes. I not only live in Iredell County, I work and invest in Iredell County, I volunteer my time in Iredell County. I have a conviction to give back and serve the citizens of Iredell County. My family has made its home here for several generations. I have a vested interest in our future with our son, due in August.

9. Who do you support for N.C. governor?

I support any candidate who will be willing to hold Raleigh accountable to the people.

10. Should the County partner with other entities such as municipalities like Mooresville & Charlotte (CATS) to provide for Regional Transportation Initiatives such as Commuter Rail and 83X (Commuter Vans). Why or why not, & which is a priority?

Has CATS figured out how to balance a checkbook…?

I am adamantly opposed to using Iredell County’s citizen’s property tax dollars to fund the commuter rail project. We must work more closely with the state to help us answer our transportation concerns. As a fiscal conservative and responsible steward of the taxpayer’s money, to make this decision the needs versus the wants of our citizens must be carefully measured.

11. Should the county release ETJ (Extra Territorial Jurisdiction) to municipalities such as Mooresville, Troutman, & Statesville so that their more “urban” planning codes can control the rapid growth, especially in southern Iredell? Why or why not? What is your position on releasing ETJ of the Highway corridors such as NC Highways 115, 21, 150, 801, 70, 90, etc so that the county’s municipalities can more effectively manage the growth and traffic patterns leading to our urban centers?

The municipalities should only have ETJ in more urban environments if they demonstrate they have the ability to manage and service it. The county and municipalities must work together closely to better manage the areas that are, or could begin to become, “squeezed” by sprawl… This is the prime argument as to why a strategic comprehensive land use plan must be adopted for Iredell County. This plan will be a tool to protect our strategic highway corridors.

12. How can the county best partner to meet regional recreational needs such as parks, programs, etc.? Are there effective partnering opportunities with municipalities? If so, what are they?

The county should work with the school systems with using their green space and fields in partnership for park space. The county can request developers of large-scale developments set aside land for parks and schools. This would lessen the burden on the county for the need to purchase land in the future.

13. Do you support the county’s current 2 School system, or should the Mooresville Graded School System be eliminated and rolled into the Iredell-Statesville School System?

Absolutely. The 2 school systems create a sense of competition in striving for excellence and quality of education. I am proud to have been a product of both school systems.

14. What are you going to do to deal with the near gridlock traffic conditions?

We must make it a priority for Iredell County to adopt a strategic comprehensive land use plan. This will be a strong tool in out tool chest in managing growth, but we must continue building stronger relationships with Raleigh and hold the politicians accountable to the people.

15. How do you plan to control the rampant over-development of our area?

We must make it a priority for Iredell County to adopt a strategic comprehensive land use plan. This will be a strong tool in out tool chest in managing growth, but we must continue building stronger relationships with Raleigh and hold the politicians accountable to the people.

16. Taxes continue to rise. Where does it stop?

The property tax rate in Iredell County actually decreased 2 cents this year. I can’t speak for the municipalities, but Iredell County has been an effective steward of the taxpayer’s money. As a commissioner you must be willing to acknowledge the needs vs. the wants. Remember, the “government’s” money came from the people. It stops when the commissioners realize they cannot fund every whim of every citizen. The future depends on sound choices and judgments being made.

17. What will you do to get our area our fair share of transportation dollars? (Am I the only one who wonders why there are 6-lane highways in BFE North Carolina but not in Mooresville-Davidson-Cornelius?)

I will work to hold Raleigh and our state politicians accountable. We must become more vocal in expressing where our state tax dollars are being spent. We must hold hands with our western NC regional partners, state and local representatives in counties along the strategic Highway and Interstate corridors that run through our region. Someone must stand up and be willing to lead! I will.