Frank Gammon, Huntersville commission candidate, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 5, 2025 election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Frank Gammon
Age: 74
Campaign website or social media page: ibackgammon2025@gmail.com Occupation: Active Regional and Community Leader
Education -B.Sc Middle Tennessee State University: Major: Geography, Minors: Earth Science and Military Science -Graduate of U.S.Army Command and General Staff College (Resident) -M.Ed. UNC-Charlotte Instructional Technology - Computers
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held) Yes, Candidate for Town of Huntersville Board of Commissioners in 2023
Please list your highlights of civic involvement -Veteran, USAF & US Army 27 yrs -NC HS Teacher 16 yrs (Army JROTC) -Town Advisory Boards: Greenway, Trails, & Bikeway Commission-2.5 yrs; Planning Board-6 yrs, Vice-Chair 2 yrs; & Ordinance Advisory Board-3.5 yrs -BOD, 108th Griffon Association, inc-27 yrs; Carolina Thread Trail-9 yrs, 2018 Volunteer of the Year; TreesCharlotte-5 yrs, Mar 2025 Volunteer of the Month; OHHS-2.5 yrs, Secretary; Rotary-1.5 yrs, Secretary; BOD, NM CrimeStoppers-1.5 yrs; LKN Chamber Leadership Class 2024-2025.
What are the most important issues facing Huntersville today, and how would you address them? - Growth: See next question - Transparency: In all things: zoning, spending, decision making. - Taxes & Spending: Property tax rate was increased 30% in 2025. I promise to review and adjust as necessary to reduce the impact on all citizens. I will promise to spend your tax dollars on essential services, and reduce wasteful spending such as $18K Town Board retreats. - Public Safety: I will fully support our First Responders, and work to ensure that they have what they need to protect this town.
How would you ensure Huntersville’s growth doesn’t outpace its infrastructure? That horse is out of the barn. The question is “How do we mitigate the impact on infrastructure caused by face-paced growth? While at the same time ensuring that future growth is reasonable and smart”. Amend the Zoning Ordinance to return approval of by-right development such as subdivisions to the Town Board, and then simply follow the ordinance. Lobby legislature to return down-zoning authority to municipalities which would allow the Town to amend what is allowed in our zoning districts.
How would you work to improve traffic and road congestion as Huntersville continues to grow? This is essentially the same as the previous question regarding growth and infrastructure. I would add to that response lobby the legislature to allow “impact fees” which would require developers to pay a fee to assist in paying for infrastructure such as roads. I will consider road development and methods to mitigate traffic in every decision I make. I will ensure that your tax dollars are spent on essential services, and roads are an essential service, are spent effectively and efficiently.
Do you support implementing a local sales tax to fund transit improvements? Why or why not?
While not opposed to the Redline in principal; I will not support the 1¢ sales tax. 25 yrs ago our citizens supported a Redline 1/2¢ sales tax and the money was used to build the Blue Line. “Fool me once..”, and we’re still paying. There are constraints this time, but the voting structure that controls the funds concerns me. However, my decision only carries 1 vote on election day. Town Commissioners and candidates for Town Commissioner have no more power than their fellow citizens - 1 vote each.
Why should voters choose you over others who are in the race?
I have decades of leadership and decision making experience as an active duty Army officer, and nearly a decade of involvement in town decisions as a member of town advisory boards: Greenway Commission; Ordinance Advisory Board; and most recently 6yrs on the Planning Board. I don’t know everything - but I know who to ask when I don’t. I am fair, and reasonable to everyone, and will apply common sense to my decision making and leadership. When I make a decision you will know why.
