Charlotte City Council District 3 hopeful Warren Turner on the issues
Name: Warren Turner
What office are you running for? District 3
Party: Democrat
Neighborhood: Steele Creek
Political Experience: District 3 City Councilman for 8 years; Former Vice Chair, Charlotte City Council Transportation Committee; Former Chair, Charlotte City Council Public Safety Committee
Family: Married, 1 child
Work Experience: North Carolina Department of Public Safety for over 25 years, currently serving as a Chief Probation Officer
Campaign contact: Campaign Address: PO Box 35465, Charlotte, NC 28231; Phone: 704-713-0452; Email: district3_turner@yahoo.com. Best way to contact us is email - district3_turner@yahoo.com
1) Why are you running for office?
▪ It is my desire to serve the citizens of District 3 and of Charlotte.
▪ Address the rise of crime
▪ Address rising tax rate
▪ Grow the job base in District 3
▪ Advocate for affordable housing for veterans, public safety, proactive homeowner tax relief
▪ Improve the economic development of District 3
▪ Better quality of life for seniors
▪ Balance the budget without raising taxes
2) What would be your top priorities if elected?
Affordable Housing for Veterans, Public Safety, Proactive Homeowner Tax Relief Initiative, Economic Development
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?
This is a sensitive issue and I will approach it as such. Until there is a majority consensus regarding this issue, I must say no. Restroom accommodations as they currently conform to physical gender are appropriate.
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?
This issue requires more study and investigation. It depends on the economic impact on the citizens and the city. How will these fees and tolls affect the citizens? These changes may impact the amount of federal funding that is received for highways in the Charlotte- Mecklenburg County area. I need more information and have other questions that need to be answered.
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?
No.
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?
No, but I would support a joint-venture with other counties using the current tax structure. I would prefer an economic commitment from adjoining counties.
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?
Yes. We have not made it a priority to preserve our historic buildings which display the great character of the city and the history of Charlotte within their structures.
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?
It is important to follow the land use plan, however the plan should incorporate public-private partnerships that allow for the building of market rate and affordable housing that includes multi-family and single family units.
9) Should the city change its guidelines for offering Business Investment Grants for companies considering expanding or relocating to Charlotte?
The city should be more selective in approving investment grants and make sure that those selected have a proven track record of economic success. The current guidelines should be examined and determine if they have been successful or not. If they have been successful, continue using them, if not change them. There should also be an oversight committee, independent of the economic development department to track the results.
10) What makes you the best candidate?
In my 8 years of service on the City Council, I took a district that was deprived of many basic needs including infrastructure, economic development, and public safety. But under my leadership thousands of jobs were created, new infrastructure, new roads, and new housing were built. Implementation of community policing, and the building of new police precincts and fire stations helped improve public safety and the quality of life for all citizens of Charlotte.
11) What else should voters know about you?
▪ One of the most enjoyable aspects of my life is giving back to the community through our young people. I served as a Scout Master for 10 years, helped young people obtain scholarships for College, gain admission to college, and encourage young people never to give up and never lose hope.
▪ I love God, my family, my friends, and my community.
▪ I especially enjoy the company and fellowship of senior citizens.
▪ I am lifetime member of Silver Mount Baptist Church and serve in the capacity of Deacon.
▪ I grew up in the Steel Creek Community and have been in community service for many years.
▪ I attended Sterling Elementary, J. Mason Smith Junior High, and Olympic High Schools.
▪ I have a BA in Political Science from Fayetteville State University.
▪ Inducted into the Football Hall of Fame, FSU.
▪ I am a Life Member of the Second Ward High School National Alumni Foundation.
▪ I currently serve as a Commissioner on the MLK Commission for the State of North Carolina.
This story was originally published September 2, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Charlotte City Council District 3 hopeful Warren Turner on the issues."