News Latest Williams position on City issues
| Williams position on City issues |
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Curious about Steven Williams’ position on City issues that affect you? Keep reading for Steven Williams’ response to the issues as told to the INDEPENDENT Weekly and The Durham PA-PAC: A New City Transit Local, state and federal organizations all plan to increase rail service to Durham. What is your perspective on these initiatives, and what should the city do to prepare for the impact of increased rail service? The City must show Durham’s citizen participation would support hosting a rail hub. Durham stands to receive higher taxes to support the rail. More research is needed to support such an expense in a weak economy. At this point, the City of Durham is not prepared to support this service. The foreseen liability is too costly at this time. Last year, Durham voters rejected a proposed half-cent “meals tax” for local projects. This year, a half-cent sales tax for transit is proposed in the legislature, also requiring voter’s approval. But Durham could pay for transit and other needs simply by increasing property taxes, which some consider a more progressive method than either of the alternatives. Which taxes should be increased, if any, and for which projects? Will you support the half-cent sales tax for transit if the legislature enacts it and the county puts it on the ballot? Durham is far behind when it comes to public transportation and needs to be improved greatly. Steven Williams would support a tax increase if it yields for a “greener” means of transit and allow the voter’s to express their opinions where these increases would best reallocated from (meals/property). Additionally, Steven Williams believes that the tax portfolio for the City needs to be evaluated as Durham has the second highest property tax in Triangle (at .054 per Durhamcountync.gov) with less benefit than Raleigh or Chapel Hill. Durham’s taxes should be recalculated / redirected prior to confirming any newly proposed area taxation. Redeveloping Northeast-Central Durham One of the focus areas for economic redevelopment is northeast-central Durham. How do you propose redeveloping that area and through what measures? Steven Williams will consider all opinions in an open forum from the citizens in this area to clarify what businesses, if any, to lobby for these areas. Zoning Under what circumstances would you vote to rezone a parcel of land in a way that reduces its market value? When land is deemed unfit for commercial/residential use, Steven Williams would vote to rezone a parcel of land in a way that reduces its market value. When should it be appropriate for the planning director or his staff to change zoning boundary lines administratively? Zoning changes should follow existing protocols except where there lies environmental risk to the general public. The Jordan Lake Watershed What is your perspective on the Jordan Lake watershed and 751 assemblage issues? Where would you draw the Jordan Lake watershed line and why? Disallowing a public hearing where the citizens/groups may voice their opinions was a mistake. Steven Williams believes offering more oversight and public hearings as needed prior to moving forward with rezoning would allow affected citizens to be heard and any potential health impact to be considered. The Committee to Elect Steven Williams for Mayor is seeking volunteers to help with our campaigning efforts. If you are interested in politics and want additional experience, or you are looking for change in Durham, NC and would like to volunteer please email Regina Johnson-Jones, Volunteer Coordinator, at: rjohnson@stevenwilliamsformayor.com. All positions are non-paid. |
