Candidates share their thoughts on critical issues
PART 2
(Part 1 In October 31, 2023 Issue)
By Loretta Cozart
Question 4. How do you plan to enhance public safety in Kings Mountain, including addressing crime-related concerns?
Scott Neisler: I am very proud of our legacy of being one of the Safest Cities in North Carolina! Unfortunately, crime will always be here. The challenge we face is maintaining competitive salaries for our Police and Fire Departments that we will have to meet. It costs a lot of money to train an officer to have them, in a short time transfer to another city. Being a training ground for other cities is not what we want.
Rob Wagman: In a recent city council meeting, I was impressed with our police chief, Gerald Childress, and a plan he unveiled to better serve and protect our communities, which was a zone-type defense, where specific officers will have a focus on a specific neighborhood, ward or community. What this allows is for the officers to get to know the people in these neighborhoods in a better and more personal way and vice versa. These kinds of plans when followed through, help in the revitalization of neighborhoods, which will be the base of our growth in any other form.
In my run for Mayor, I have knocked on doors in all of our communities and more than five times, a concerned citizen will point to a home or neighborhood, and say, “Do you know what takes place there?” It isn’t gossip to make these accusations, but instead concern, caring, and a cry for protection, when our citizens in several neighborhoods can look out their windows and wonder why they can see something that our elected officials have either ignored or deemed not important.
Drugs and homelessness is are real issues in Kings Mountain, and our community could use a process of rehabilitation. These aren’t losers and lowlifes walking about but somebody’s son and somebody’s daughter who have no idea the prayers of hope that sit above them, awaiting an awakening and a promise.
Keith Miller: We keep the fire, police and EMS departments properly and professionally staffed and equipped. We support our Police and Fire departments staying at the cutting edge of best practices, such as community policing and staying involved within the community. We use professional consultants to recruit public safety leadership. We spend money on professional development and education of the public safety staff. We have zero tolerance for crime while at the same time having compassion for those challenged by disadvantage.
Shearra Miller: As Kings Mountain goes through changes, we must fight to protect the small-town charm that we all know and love. Feeling safe and secure in our community is certainly an extension
of that small-town charm. As the Council makes decisions, we must put that priority at the forefront. The recent hiring of Police Chief Childress has seemed to be seamless and very beneficial. As comes with most new hires, he has brought new perspectives and vision. I will not only support him and his staff in their efforts, but I will work to bring these same things to the City Council. I know that there are concerns about the homeless in our community. The City should be able to work with our private and public health partners to make sure that the appropriate resources are available to those who need them.
Annie Thombs: Continue to support public safety through our budget process to allow for continued training and development, through hiring and promotional opportunities, including diversity outreach, employment and vendor procurement services. Keeping our Police Department fully staffed to meet the current and growing need and support the joint partnership with communities to address crime and crime-related activities.
Jimmy West: Obviously, crime is a concern throughout the country, especially in larger urban areas; we are fortunate here in Kings Mountain that our violent crime numbers are low. The Police Chief has developed and implemented a new initiative focusing more on Community Policing. This new initiative will involve Officers being more visible within the community and becoming more involved with community members. One thing that I would personally like to see is an increase in drug enforcement, and this is a conversation that will need to be had with the Chief of Police, who I feel is more than qualified to handle those concerns.
Jay Rhodes: Can we eliminate all the crime? No, not until the second coming. Can we work to improve our crime rate? Yes! I am pleased with Police Chief Gerald Childress new Simple Community Initiative. Under this program officers are assigned to specific areas of the city where they are to foster personal relationships with businesses and residents, not just respond to crimes as they occur. This approach aims to improve the quality of life in each area by proactively preventing and reducing future crimes.
Mark Wampler: As a Police Officer, I started 10-15 Neighborhood Watches in Shelby, and I started a Business Watch. I went door-to-door and spoke to residents setting up locations and times to meet, as well as all businesses. I let them know what was happening in their neighborhoods, things to look out for, and ways to communicate with each other and the Police Department – building relationships. The next step is to start a Faith Watch, getting all the churches and community leaders together to see how we can improve OUR quality of life. I have been involved in Neighborhood Walk-Throughs – this is going door-to-door, asking residents what they need, or things fixed to uplift the community. It is about getting input from all and bringing everyone together. Communication!
Woody Edwards: Public safety is so important for our community; I plan on strengthening the police force with whatever resources and training is needed to make sure they have the proper tools and manpower to serve and protect our growing community.
Question 5. Kings Mountain has faced challenges related to affordable housing. What policies or initiatives do you propose to address this issue?
Scott Neisler: Possibly acquiring land to be a Habitat for Humanity Community would be a great start for someone wanting to be a first-time homeowner. Also, revamping the Kings Mountain Housing Authority to modernize our stock of homes.
Rob Wagman: I believe this is a city that still dreams, which is why I believe the goodness that is still to come for Kings Mountain, and yes, that should include the dream of one day owning our own homes, but instead of selling the idea of a box with bedrooms in it, we must first think of what the community will look like and how it will be maintained.
We also must stop looking at the future of our children as ‘barely’ making it and begin believing that they will prosper wildly. One of the greatest things to happen to Kings Mountain in the last 20 years was a community built by the late Tommy Hall and his teams, Hall Crossing.
While many believe this is a neighborhood of the affluent, the greatest stories that come from its residents are the ones of a dream, which include the process of desiring to live there and taking on extra jobs, or eliminating things in their everyday lives so that they could make that dream come true.
Before we continue to map out a new neighborhood for the potential of even ‘one more home,’ we must first get our plan for our schools in order and make sure we have sufficient space to give these families and their children the best education. Overcrowding is a great hindrance and distraction to learning.
Keith Miller: We have put in place an Affordable Housing Relocation Policy that throttles the expansion of new housing units at the low-poverty end of the income/housing cost spectrum. We can turn it faster or slower as conditions warrant. To deal with the next price band, starter homes/modestly priced housing, we use the state law that allows city councilmembers to file minimum housing complaints which authorizes codes inspectors to gain access to rental housing. We combine that with funding and approving demolitions where warranted.
The goal is to continue to improve the quality of the aged housing stock at this part of the price spectrum. To encourage new stock in this price band, we have used the state law to put throttles in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that impacts the costs and profits builders may experience. This can incentivize and/or discourage certain types of development. The goal is to expand the quantity of housing stock in the middle price bands and keep the quality near the midpoint of the quality spectrum. (If construction quality is too low, neighborhoods deteriorate quickly, and disposable income demographics go in the wrong direction.) We have to adjust policies to market demand.
Multifamily is next. Staff and council will soon be working on standardizing a multifamily housing (MFH) plan/policy to reduce or eliminate the need for MFH special use permits. Redeveloping the Kings Mountain Housing Authority properties is another huge opportunity. We have begun that process. The Mayor has the authority to populate the KMHA board. The council can dissolve the charter, approve a new one, provide technical and financial assistance, and partner with KMHA. This will be a big focus in my next term.
We need to create the modern version of the mill village. An employer-funded workforce housing trust. The trust will buy and own the land and build the infrastructure. Employees of member companies can rent or buy transferable long-term leases for the homes and apartments built in the subdivisions owned by the trust. Ocean
Lakes is a vacation home community that has a similar financial model. I have seen employer-sponsored workforce housing versions of this elsewhere in the country. This will be a focus of my next term. We have already met with some large employers.
Shearra Miller: We need to ensure that the housing we approve and provide is what our citizens want and need. This means emphasizing senior housing that meets their unique needs, housing for all income levels, and housing that allows our young people to stay here if they want. It also means ensuring that we have market-rate housing that will entice and allow other families to become part of our community and contribute to it alongside us. This requires not only involving all aspects of our community in decision-making but also taking a fresh look at codes and regulations that have historically prevented things like affordable housing for seniors from being built.
Annie Thombs: One of the greatest challenges to affordable housing is education. There are housing tiers such as low-income housing, subsidized housing including NCHFA Tax Credits and affordable or workforce housing, and market-rate housing. Each addresses housing needs for different income streams. The first thing we need is to be mindful of how we refer to low-income housing so that our low-wealth citizens are not spoken of despairingly. Continue to be flexible with our Unified Development Ordinance and other policies to stay current with the housing development market. Seek out funding to capitalize a Housing Trust Fund to promote and develop affordable/workforce housing for those who would like to live, work, and play in our great City. We have established a housing policy that allows for mixed-use housing and will continue to find ways to address our growing housing needs.
Jimmy West: With the current economic climate and the housing market being what it is at this time, it would be worth truly trying to define what affordable housing is at this point. As the economic landscape changes in this area, the need for more housing, both higher-end and affordable, will continue to rise. Our City Manager is actively working with builders on a regular basis to encourage them to build in this area as a means to improve our current housing market.
Jay Rhodes: With housing construction costs high ($151 sq. ft. average in NC) along with interest rates at a 30-year high on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage (7.541% for VA to 8.026% Conventional), I really don’t know what is defined as “affordable” housing. The most inexpensive housing available seems to be tract homes or barnndominiums, but when you combine the cost of the homes with the land and infrastructure, the cost is still high.
One possibility that has been mentioned is that corporations moving to Kings Mountain wanting workforce housing might consider a hybrid of the old mill village concept. The general market will have more impact on housing and costs than what City Council can do. We have approved a housing policy that addresses the desire to raise the value of our housing stock and our economic demographics.
Mark Wampler: The American Dream is not an easy one. I have lived in affordable housing, and was grateful. Run-down or dilapidated houses/apartments need to be torn down through Inspections and Codes and rebuilt with grants and through Habitat for Humanity. Board members on the Housing Authority need backgrounds in Finance, Housing, Real Estate Development, and Community Members to help provide good quality and safe housing for all by putting Kings Mountain Residents First.
Woody Edwards: The affordable housing crisis starts with us having more housing available, we need to strategically approve homes to be built to help our community have more access to affordable housing.
Question 6. How will you work to ensure that all residents of Kings Mountain, regardless of background, feel included and represented in local government?
Scott Neisler: I believe we have a good government that is well-represented throughout the city. There was an effort to have everyone in the city vote on everyone and have ward residency requirements, but that means that the majority of the city will tell that ward who can represent them. I think each Ward should decide from within who represents them.
Rob Wagman: If I could point out one weakness of our local government, it’s communication, the sibling to transparency, and without it, we create apathy, a hermit type lifestyle where the residents feel no real access to our local government, and subsequently, this turns into low voter turnout as our residents feel their voice or vote makes no difference.
When we allow our residents access and talk to them and actually listen to them and address their concerns, then there is no bias, whether ethnicity or lifestyle that would keep a beating heart from feeling like they aren’t included, desired, loved or cared for.
It’s in this style of government where the people will be encouraged and motivated by the way they are treated, and this is our base place to get them to take that step forward and get involved.
Keith Miller: Community input strategies like surveys, focus groups, town halls, meet the manager/mayor/council events at locations around the community, and Citizens Academy are all things we do and will continue to do more of to involve all residents form all the subcommunities. Personally, my cell phone number and email address are posted. I reply to almost everyone. I listen to everyone. I attend lots of events and groups in lots of the different communities within our city. I try to stay approachable. I have taken training on how to communicate with those of opposing views. I try to keep an open mind. I walk humbly.
Shearra Miller: Listen, listen, listen. I believe all our citizens deserve respect and the opportunity to be heard. Communication and relationship building is so important in building trust and that is lacking at this time. I would like to bring back trust between the citizens and the Council with more transparency and answers to citizen questions. There needs to be better communication with the public at large. Folks from all walks of life must be included on City boards and committees. It seems like many folks, who have probably done a great job over the years are just reappointed. Again, new perspectives help all of us.
Annie Thombs: What a challenge before the City’s governing board. Restoring trust because of a system of the past is difficult. Most citizens think, “Why bother.” The development of the Citizens Academy is a tool that helps our citizens to understand how local government works, if utilized by our citizens. As a Councilmember, I will become more engaged with the citizens at large and remind them, what you think and what you say does matter. Provide opportunities and services where all, not just a select few, have the same access to all city services. Encourage committee representation of every income stream on every committee in place and formed in the future.
Jimmy West: I feel like transparency is paramount when it comes to getting our residents involved. With our current leadership, I do feel like transparency has been far more prevalent than in years past when transparency seemed to be nothing more than a buzzword. Moving forward, I would like to see the citizens of Kings Mountain become more involved with political decisions and making their voices heard. It is my hope that the younger members of the community will become engaged within the political spectrum to further assist the city in continuing to grow for years to come.
Jay Rhodes: I can only speak for myself, but in every decision that comes before me, I weigh the benefit versus the cost and how my vote will impact each of our citizens. By doing so, I am seeking to ensure that each of our citizens in our city is represented. It is impossible to please everyone, given the number of decisions your City Council makes. I have also had situations where I do not like any of the options available to us. But by listening, questioning, exercising due diligence on the issue at hand, and prayerfully seeking God’s wisdom, I believe that I am doing my best to be the representative that our entire city needs and wants.
Mark Wampler: We have five wards, with a Councilmember representing their own area and two Council-At-Large members. It is their responsibility to know the wants/needs of their constituents. I have personally done this by going door-to-door speaking to many residents in Ward 5 gathering their input on what direction Kings Mountain should be going. Creating Neighborhood Watches, Business Watches, and Faith Watch is an easy way of communicating with Kings Mountain Residents. Communication is the key!
Woody Edwards: I will be available night and day to everyone in this community for questions and concerns about their issues I will listen and make sure their voices are heard.
Question 7. What is your vision for Kings Mountain in the next five to ten years, and how will you work to achieve it?
Scott Neisler: 1) Continuing to advocate for low taxes! In the next few years, my main goal is to get the General Assembly to allow us to transfer what we can reasonably transfer out of our enterprise funds to support our General Fund. They want to limit us to 5%, which lumps us in with the other cities that carry debt over investing in Nuclear Power plants. We don’t carry that liability and should not be penalized for being successful. A reasonable return on our investment is 10%. We had a low tax rate because of those transfers, which is a win for all citizens. It also helps attract new businesses and because of that rate, it creates jobs for us all!
2) Maintain the quality of life! Planning well ahead before something becomes a problem. It’s good that development is at Exit 5, and it becomes a new city center that can be planned for that growth. The rest of the city will upgrade along with it but avoid overcrowding and sprawl.
Rob Wagman: God has blessed my professional life so dramatically that I expect extreme fruitfulness and resolve in many areas of our great city. Communication is the door that opens up the opportunity to make these visions a reality.
Synergy is strangely ignored in our good town, but it is the working together process that makes things happen in faster time than a 5 or 10-year vision. When our community begins to see that what we say can happen, actually is happening, they begin to release their apprehensions and start to buy in. What this creates more than just a great hope or dream, is active participation. When we as a community become active together, in a likeminded outcome, we celebrate mile markers and victories together and we become unstoppable.
Keith Miller:
1000-2000 quality residential housing units built/under construction. I have entitlement exhaustion. We may need to establish a revolving construction funding reserve to mitigate current construction loan rates.
Redeveloping the KMHA properties using proactive board development, inter-agency partnerships, and external consultants whom we have already visited with.
Managing/throttling growth with Development Agreements and other policies.
Completing Streetscape, via collaboration with KM Forward, the downtown stakeholder nonprofit.
Partnering with the YMCA and Library stakeholders for new facilities.
Capital Reserve Policies and a standalone Capital Budget for the utilities and general government.
Fuel cost Hedging and alternative wholesale sourcing policies for the electric and gas utilities.
Once exit 5 develops as a tourist destination, then market the development of the city lakes south of the city.
Phifer road widening and cross ties to KM Blvd. Leverage the schools to access separate NCDOT safety funding. Increase STIP scoring with local funding matches.
Shearra Miller: My vision for Kings Mountain is for it to thrive. Kings Mountain is poised to grow, but we need to make sure that we are growing the way we want it to happen. As I mentioned, we are at a crossroads. We talk a lot about our small-town charm and that we don’t want to lose it, but we don’t want to miss opportunities that can help us. The right type of growth can provide more dollars, and dollars can provide more opportunities.
I would like to see a busy downtown area with locally owned unique shops and restaurants. I would like to see more parks, greenspaces, and recreational opportunities for citizens of all ages. I would like to see businesses thriving and providing jobs for our citizens. I envision a community that has come together with everyone’s input and thoughts. I will work to open the process of appointments to city boards and commissions to ensure that every citizen has a chance to put themselves forward if they choose, and so that everyone can know how and why individuals have been and will be chosen for these positions.
How will I work to achieve this? I will work with the other council members to share responsibilities on committees and boards; I will allow the City Manager and staff to do their jobs; I will ask questions. I do not have all the answers so I will seek out and listen to subject matter experts before making decisions. I believe in term limits and will let other citizens step up and contribute. My vision is for our citizens and local government to work together to build a stronger community.
Annie Thombs: My Vision for the City of Kings Mountain is to see our city redefine and become a model city in every way. To see the City of Kings Mountain become a City of Influence nationwide where all cities and towns will desire to emulate what we have and who we are; a city full of gems and resources of great minds, with cutting-edge ideas and creative ways of catapulting our city forward. Local government does not have all the answers, but working with our citizens, working through our differences with respect, being present, and hearing what our constituents say……we will redefine what a city really is and what great things we can accomplish TOGETHER. IT WILL HAPPEN OF THAT I AM CONFIDENT!
Jimmy West: My overall goal and vision for Kings Mountain is that we would continue to address our main thoroughfares and move forward with cleaning up the city overall. To continue attracting more development and growth, is it imperative that our city stands out and is a showpiece that puts us above other surrounding cities. I would like to see there be more growth in the form of quality parks and playgrounds that are within walking distance of every child in our community.
Jay Rhodes: I would like for us to see the 2,000 housing units that have been approved come into being as designed and as approved. This in itself will drive our economic demographics higher (median income) and will then improve the business climate for our city. I want to see developmental agreements be the norm for large projects. These agreements spell out specific things that the city and developer must do for a project to continue to completion. I hope our downtown streetscape will be behind us and that new businesses will be attracted to downtown. I hope that the impact of the mining at Albemarle will be positive for us both now and in the future. As a result of these and other economic developments that come our way, each of our citizens will see an improvement in their own personal lives.
How will I work to achieve it?
I promise you 6 things that I will do if elected to serve on City Council
1. I will use the gifts, the education, and the experience that I have to make wise decisions that come before me as your servant leader.
2. I will make decisions based on what I believe to be in the best interest of all of our citizens, not for any personal approval or gain.
3. I will seek to preserve peace and understanding even in light of difficult and controversial issues.
4. I will exercise due diligence on every issue that comes before me. To learn, question, listen and study the issue at hand before making a decision.
5. I will take my fiduciary responsibilities seriously, being prudent with the financial resources made available to me by our citizens.
6. I will continue to pray over all the decisions that need to be made, seeking God’s wisdom.
Mark Wampler: Not to be like some large cities that have traffic, crime, division, and mistrust. Focus on slow and controlled growth (housing), sustaining our infrastructure, and supporting local businesses. Allocate resources to Police, Fire, and EMS so they can provide quality services and grow as Kings Mountain grows. We have a unique small town that needs to put Kings Mountain Residents First.
Woody Edwards: My vision for our community in the next five to ten years is a safe and thriving community that includes everyone working together to build the best future for a child and future generations to come.
