George Young, Matthews Board of Commissioners candidate, answers our questions
Name: George Young
Age: 61
Campaign website or social media page: Coming
Occupation: Retired
Education: Santa Barbara City College
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held)
Served 2007-2009 Matthews town commissioner, Ran 2023 for Matthews town commissioner
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Served US Army in 1980s, Was on Matthews Tree and Appearance Board 2006.
What are the most important issues facing Matthews, and how would you address them?
Traffic, high-density developments with no corresponding increase in infrastructure like roads, school etc.
How should Matthews handle residential, commercial and industrial development? Should the town change any ordinances or rules to alter how development occurs? If so, what?
If the board is voting for high density projects they can’t be saying no to expansions of 51, E. John Street, Idlewild Road etc. Matthews is and has been a residential community, and we should not be making it into another high density extension of Charlotte.
Matthews is in the process of hiring a new town manager. What qualities should town leaders look for in candidates for the position?
The town manager needs to clearly and in full detail show the proposed yearly budget and work with ALL the elected officials equally. They should have experience in the corporate world and not just government administration.
The General Assembly has given Mecklenburg County permission to put a referendum on the ballot to raise the county’s sales tax to fund road, rail and bus projects. Will you vote in favor of the referendum? Why or why not?
This is a good question. Raleigh was not happy such a high percentage of funding was going to go to light rail. The current bill I believe keeps 40% must we spend on roads. DOT is YEARS behind on building roads in the towns including Matthews that are rated F. That said I have not yet made my decision on this issue.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
I am in-the-weeds guy. I ask hard questions of staff and the town manager. To often we have had rubber stamping with prior boards to millions in spending. This must stop.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
When first elected I was in the minority and voted NO on the budget. The second year even though I was in the minority I was able to gain four voted to correct an spending issue in the budget by working with all sides. Governance is important to me .
