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News: Primary Election 2008 Preview
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Primary 2008Return to the list of candidates. Hal KeckHal Keck Age: 68 Residence: Goldsboro Occupation: Co-owner of Houser Associates Real Estate, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel Q: What exactly is the new perspective you could bring to the board? A: I do not have any pre-set ideas on how I am going to accomplish my goals. I plan on doing a lot of listening and very little talking at first. I expect to hold tight reins on the county budget just as I do on my company and personal budgets. I know we need to lower classroom size. It is my intent to strongly encourage the state to support significant improvements of local state and U.S. highways, as well as increased rail capacity and further development of the Goldsboro-Wayne Municipal Airport and the Mount Olive Airport. Q: Do you support the sales tax referendum? A: Although I would prefer not to raise taxes in any form, I believe the sales tax to be a much more equitable form of taxation. It is my belief that it is not a regressive tax in that one is taxed at point of sale. Q: What would you like to see included in a future bond referendum? A: Major building projects fall under this heading. Q: Would you be willing to raise property taxes? What about after reval? A: Once again I would not raise taxes without the people’s consent. Whenever a revaluation takes place it is my intention to re-adjust the tax rate so that taxes are revenue neutral. I will also investigate the possibility of lowering the property tax rate for people living on Medicare or other fixed government income plans. Q: Should the commissioners encourage the school board to look at redistricting/catchment area policies? A: The school board is a separately elected entity and responds to the will of the people. I do not believe it would be my place to tell or try to influence the board to do what they feel is counter to the will of their constituency. Q: Do the commissioners need to be more involved in classroom education if the school board is going to keep asking for money? A: Except in it's role of providing for the capital needs of the schools, I believe the county commissioners have no role in dictating classroom content or conduct. I will however cooperate with the school board in accomplishing those goals that I feel are for the benefit of our children. Q: Should the commission keep such a large fund balance? A: I believe the fund balance should be greater than the minimum required by state law. However, too great an excess should not be encouraged. Q: What role should the county play in providing water? A: The county should be very involved in providing clean safe water in adequate amounts to its citizens. The county should change its planning laws so that developers are required to incorporate water conservation methods in their site plans. I believe the county should locate and acquire a site where a large water reservoir could be established. Q: Should the county be in the business of building shell buildings and providing economic incentives? A: The county should do what is necessary to attract and encourage businesses to locate in Wayne County. |
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