In Ward 2 it’s public service vs. community service
Posted on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Fayetteville Ward 2 alderman candidates Mark Kinion and Matthew Petty approach the council seat from different directions.
At a debate Tuesday sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Kinion emphasized experience while Petty emphasized a need for change.
Kinion spoke about his experiences in Fayetteville since he was a child, his 20-year record of active public service in the city, including leadership of the Fayetteville Council of Neighborhoods and serving on the city’s Housing Authority. He also said he has a record of voting in the city, “ unlike my opponent. ”
Kinion said he is running for council because he wants Fayetteville to be environmentally sound, safe, creative, diverse and with good housing.
Petty, on the other hand, said, there was “ something missing” with the existing council.
He said the city has stalled in its efforts to participate in the green economy and to make the living situation more affordable for a greater diversity of people.
Petty said his experience with nonprofits over the past year and his experience helping citizens start movements for issues that are hot topics in the community prepared him to bring forward dynamic plans and “ real agendas for change. ”
The candidates do not agree about using Fayetteville’s surplus funds.
“ I think in an economic down time is when surplus funds should be used, ” Petty said. “ I think we’re in that economic down time now, but we have to be very smart that when we use those funds we’re not just using them for Band-Aid fixes. We need to be using them for investments. ”
Kinion emphasized the importance of a balanced budget.
“ It might be time to look at millage increases, ” he said.
“ I support a balanced budget. I know that we need to have a surplus in times of economic uncertainty for those critical situations that show up during the year, ” Kinion said.
Kinion said he supported extended hours, the opportunity for employees to have appropriate wages and for the library to be furnished and stocked appropriately.
Petty said he supports additional funding for the library. He also supports expanding the city’s bikes and trails programs, calling them the most important investment in the community for affordability and economic development.
Kinion said he is also very supportive of trails.
“ Maybe it’s time to go ahead and look at taking care of what we got and making it the finest parks that we can with what we have, ” Kinion said of budget concerns for maintaining city parks and recreation activities.
He would like the city to work with Boys & Girls Club and other nonprofits for help with funding.
Petty argued that the city is not exploring the options available for parks care, such as applying for certain grants, a change to native landscaping and collaboration with builders, artists and neighborhood associations to beautify the parks.
He would like to see the parks program expanded through pocket parks.
For Petty, the “ green economy” is the solution for many of Fayetteville’s issues because it can create jobs and job training. A green economy has services, products or technologies that are environmentally friendly.
He said it is a way to reach out to its citizens.
Petty said he would like to help create a “ green job training center” for students who may not go to college and would like to lobby the state for expanded funding while providing work for people who need it.
Kinion said his Ward 2 constituents could rely on him to be responsive and accessible.
He said city government must be fiscally accountable and transparent, adding that he has a record of providing information through the Council of Neighborhoods.
Kinion said it is important for the City Council to manage tax dollars.
“ Right now, I do support a balanced budget. Foremost, I support the basic services of police and fire, and in Ward 2, we also have aging infrastructure. ”
He said he is devoted to implementing the Downtown Master Plan. He wants to protect the unique aspects of the city’s character and the environment. He believes in nurturing the city’s relationship with the university.
Kinion said he is a neighborhood advocate, and that the city has to work on transportation alternatives. He is for recycling, including apartments, and said housing programs are important.
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