Hopefuls face queries

HICKORY FORUM GIVES STATE, LOCAL CANDIDATES A CHANCE TO ADDRESS ISSUES

Friday, October 13, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

HICKORY-- The Catawba County races are starting to get more interesting as local and state candidates begin answering questions about the changes they'll make if they are elected.

Eighteen candidates from seven races gathered Tuesday at a forum, paired with the Hickory Business Expo, to answer questions from the Catawba Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters.

Candidates for the N.C. Senate and House faced questions about business development and raising funds for the N.C. Center for Engineering Technologies, which would house advanced engineering degree programs and technical training.
Local candidates, however, including those running for the board of commissioners and sheriff, answered questions about how they would make things run more smoothly within county lines.

*

Board of Commissioners

The 1-acre versus 2-acre debate continues. What are your thoughts? (The Catawba County Board of Commissioners is considering a countywide ordinance that, on about half the county's unincorporated land, would require lots of at least 2 acres for new subdivisions. Some people say the minimum lot size should be 1 acre.

Clement Geitner, Democrat: Calling the 2-acre plan "not right," Geitner said the proposed land-development code would increase sprawl and decrease the opportunity for much-needed affordable housing. He said 1-acre plots would be more appropriate.

Glen Barger, Republican: Barger said the proposed 2-acre minimum isn't necessary. He prefers the 1-acre minimum and wants to give owners the incentive to sell larger plots of land. "It's their life savings, in some cases," he said. "It's their 401k."

Kitty Barnes, Republican: Although Barnes said she supports the 1-acre minimum residential lot requirement, she said protecting the rural character of the county means a lot in a region that will see population growth in coming years.

Lynn Lail, Republican: Did not attend the forum but provided a written statement saying she prefers the 1-acre minimum.

*

Sheriff

It's unrealistic to expect to eradicate crime, but what steps should law officers take to educate the public and stop crimes before they start?

David Huffman, Republican: The 24-year incumbent touted new programs he has brought to the county, including a sexual offender alert program that will be announced within the next two weeks.

Huffman said neighborhood watch programs are critical to preventing crime and emphasized the importance of community policing, which allows deputies to work in one of four zones.

Steve Hunt, Democrat: The Hickory Police Department veteran urged residents to take responsibility and work with law enforcement to stop crime before it begins. "We want to decrease the opportunity for crime," he said.

Hunt said that while community watch plans are beneficial, the programs are often crisis-driven. He said he'd like law enforcement to work with and train residents to recognize and help decrease crime.


All content © THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
and may not be republished without permission.