Tom Eck, candidate for Village of Marvin Council, answers our questions
To help inform voters in the Nov. 4, 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: Tom Eck
Email: teck@marvinunited.com
Political party: Nonpartisan
Age: 60
Campaign website or social media page: https://marvinunited.com/
Occupation: Corporate Attorney
Education: BA, University of Southern California. JD, University of Southern California
Have you run for and/or held elected office before? list previous offices sought and/or held): No.
Marvin is known for its small town, rural feel. As Union County becomes more desirable and growth pressures increase, can the city’s character be preserved? Or is change inevitable?:
Both. We all know the only thing that is permanent is change. It is incumbent on our elected leaders to manage that change appropriately. I believe Marvin’s unique character can and should be preserved, even as growth pressures mount, through the tools at our disposal—such as updating our land use plan (now, five years old) and following our own zoning ordinance. That way, we can responsibly - and fairly - manage our growth
In what ways can the village preserve Marvin’s rural feel despite pressures of growth as Union County increasingly becomes a desirable place to live?:
There's no doubt that Marvin is one of the most desirable places to live in North Carolina. In fact, everyday I give thanks for my life here. We can preserve Marvin’s rural feel by prioritizing: - Low-density development - Public-private preservation efforts and community-partnerships - Architectural standards that match our village’s character; and - A thoughtful land use plan and zoning ordinance, and when and how to grant conditional use permits
How do you plan to listen and make yourself accessible to residents about critical issues outside of public comment at village council meetings?:
One of the disturbing trends I’ve seen from watching and attending Marvin village council meetings is the level of outright hostility between members of the council and the public. That must stop, and no member of the council should tolerate abusive behavior by or toward council members. As a council member, I will insist that the public is heard and treated with respect at all times during council meetings, and, frankly, I will hold residents to the same standard of decent behavior.
Do you believe that the Village of Marvin should remain a largely residential community or explore opportunities for commercial development?:
Again, the answer is "both." Commercial development provides an opportunity to diversify the tax base and provide needed tax relief to Marvin homeowners, so it should not be ruled out. That said, ANY commercial development must fit the village's rural character, and the council should seriously review the impact of the development on infrastructure (such as storm water management), school overcrowding, and traffic in evaluating any such annexation or approving a zoning exception.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
It's important to note that I am running under the Marvin United banner, which is a group of like-minded candidates for Marvin mayor (Joe Barbara) and the two other council positions (Angel Martin and Fred Ilarraza). We stand together - and separate from the council members seeking re-election who have increased property taxes and supported irresponsible borrowing (the general obligation bond for greenways in 2024, for example).
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM.