Charlotte city council at-large: Aaron Sanders on the issues

Name: Aaron Sanders

What office are you running for? City Council at-large

Party: Democrat

Neighborhood: Oaklawn Park

Political Experience: Delegate, 2012 DNC Convention - CLT; Candidate 2009, City Council District 2; President, Oaklawn Park Neighborhood Improvement Association; CLT Food Truck Advisory Group; CLT Cable Access Citizens Oversight Advisory Committee - Chairman; CLT Regional Sustainability CONNECT Cabinet-Centralina Council of Governments; CLT Information Technology Advisory Committee

Family: Single

Work Experience: Writer, community leader - Present; Over 26 years in Telecommunications & Financial Services

Campaign contact: Tel: (980) 208-0670; Email: voteforaaronsanders@gmail.com

1) Why are you running for office?

I care about Charlotte foremost, The fact of the matter is I've always been involved with citizen activism.

2) What would be your top priorities if elected?

▪ Take action to fund the completion of the East-West Gold Line Streetcar, and to continue funding the LYNX Blue line to UNC-Charlotte.

▪ Take action to improve relations between Charlotte and our legislators.

▪ Take action to shore-up the city's most recent budget.

3) Would you support the city's proposed expansion of its non-discrimination ordinance to include the LGBT community, including a provision that would allow transgender residents to use the bathroom of their choice?

Yes, I don't like discrimination of any kind.

4) Do you support the N.C. DOT's plans to add express toll lanes to Interstate 485 in south Charlotte and U.S. 74? Or would you prefer to widen the highways with general-purpose free lanes?

In general, I support the idea of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) express toll lanes with 2 or more person ridership, for starters. Then in time increase the express ridership to 3 or more persons.

5) Would you support spending hospitality tax dollars to renovate or rebuild the county owned Memorial Stadium in hopes of the city winning a Major League Soccer franchise?

In general, I support spending hospitality tax dollars to "renovate" the county owned Memorial Stadium in hopes of the city winning a Major League Soccer franchise.

6) Would you support an increase in the general sales tax to support more transit projects, such as additional miles of streetcar and a commuter train to Lake Norman?

Yes, it cost money to pay for massive needed investments in transportation. Charlotte has been rapidly growing for several years now.

7) There has been a significant amount of redevelopment in neighbors close to uptown, with older, sometimes historic buildings being demolished for new apartments. Would you support more restrictions on tear-downs?

No, I would not support "more" restrictions on tear-downs.

8) A goal of the city is to increase affordable housing. In some instances, however, the City Council is asked to approve rezoning requests for low-income apartments, even when an area plan says single-family homes should be built on a site. Should the council follow the area plan recommendations or approve multi-family projects to increase affordability?

In general, I would support approved multi-family projects to increase affordability, specifically if the plan will spark growth in the lagging east and west sides of town.

9) Should the city change its guidelines for offering Business Investment Grants for companies considering expanding or relocating to Charlotte?

Yes, the city should continue offering Business Investment Grants for companies considering expanding or relocating to Charlotte, particularly on a case-by-case basis.

10) What makes you the best candidate?

I'm the best candidate because I care about everyday city services that people use on a daily basis.

11) What else should voters know about you?

I think a cold 12 oz. bottle of Sun Drop soda takes the cake.

This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Charlotte city council at-large: Aaron Sanders on the issues."