Who is Ross Monks, District 1 Republican Mecklenburg County commission candidate?
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 60
Campaign website: https://monks4commissioner.com/
Email: ross@monks4commissioner.com
Occupation: Retired - Former US Army Officer and Businessman
Education: Loyola University of Chicago, Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Political Science
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): No
Please list your highlights of civic involvement:
I served as an officer in the United States Army, where, upon graduation from the US Army Airborne and Ranger Schools, I rapidly progressed through positions of broader military leadership, culminating in service as officer in charge of the Tactical Operations Center for the 2,000-soldier 1st Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division during The First Gulf War.
What more can county government do to help CMS close achievement gaps and support students in impoverished families?
The county commission must first listen to the concerns of the students, parents, teachers, support staff, administrators, and taxpayers that we represent and then demand accountability from the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board on their behalf.
How do you plan to collaborate with other local and state elected officials?
Listening will be the key to collaboration, not only with other local and state elected officials, but also with local companies, not-for-profit organizations, and places of worship. It is critical that we engage all stakeholders, understand their concerns and capabilities, seek to find common ground, and then work together toward facilitating common-sense solutions.
How do you plan to approach the county’s upcoming revaluation and how will the results inform your stance on the 2024 fiscal year’s tax rate?
We face a pending 48% increase in residential property assessed valuation (and 36% in commercial) at a time of historic price inflation and real wage decline. Unless we take action to reduce property tax rates, home and business owners in Mecklenburg County will face thousands of dollars in additional annual taxes, exacerbating inflation and our affordable housing challenges. The county must ensure that the property tax rate is reduced to completely offset this imminent financial pressure.
Name a quality about yourself that makes you a good leader:
Listening. To be a servant leader, one must go to “where the work is being done” and listen to the people doing the work. Invariably, they best understand the challenges they face and have the best suggestions to solve those challenges. If the servant leader listens, he or she can then help to facilitate those solutions.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
The dozens of young engineers, supply chain leaders and human resources professionals that I have worked with throughout my career who have gone on to positions of senior leadership in their respective fields.
This story was originally published October 3, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
