The TriW News sent a questionnaire to the Town of Weddington’s mayoral candidates recently. We asked each candidate five of our most pressing questions that we could identify that would give our readers and the citizens of Weddington a better understanding of their individual positions on the issues.
We sent the same five questions to each candidate. Each response was submitted by the candidate back to the writer who did not edit or change their response. We simply performed a copy and paste function and lined up the sentences correctly.
We used a business inventory accounting method by listing and displaying the responses from the candidates to our readers in the order received by each candidate using the “first in, first out” (FIFO) methodology.
By taking this approach and giving each candidate the same amount of time to respond, we believe we have been transparent, and will leave it up to each individual citizen to cast their vote at the ballot box to decide who they feel will be the best candidate to represent the town as the next Mayor of Weddington.
Response from candidate Walt Hogan (referenced below as WH)
- Do you think our town economy is healthy, successful, and offers the right amount of shopper options? If not fully satisfied, what would you do to improve it?
WH: Yes, I believe that Weddington’s economy is healthy. Weddington is primarily a residential community with a small commercial area on the corner of Rt16 and Rt84 that meets the needs of our community. There is plenty of convenient nearby shopping. The recent town survey indicated an overwhelming percentage of citizens strongly want to keep commercial restricted specifically to the Weddington Corners shopping center.
2. Some residents in our community say we have traffic flow problems today. How would you mitigate those concerns or improve the current situation?
WH: There is most definitely a traffic problem in this part of the county. This problem has existed and still exists today due to rapid growth countywide combined with an outdated road system. NCDOT has currently delayed road improvements for several years due to lack of funding. I will initiate alternative methods in the meanwhile. 1. I will work with surrounding communities to develop and implement a smart growth plan. 2. I will use funds from the town’s infrastructure budget to partner with NCDOT to make necessary intersection improvements. 3. I will work closely with NCDOT and regional traffic committees to develop short and long term solutions to the problem. 4. I will incorporate all the above methods into my recently begun Five Year Plan.
3. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
WH: I will advocate eliminating Residential Conversation Development (RCD) and have 1 acre per lot minimum only. This will keep the rural character that we enjoy. It is one of the main reasons people move to Weddington, as indicated in the most recent Town Survey.
4. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision making process in our community?
WH: This is one of the most important things to me as the Mayor. Town Council works for the residents. 1. I will regularly update the residents on town affairs through emails, website, Facebook and the Council meetings. 2. I will encourage residents to speak their minds to the Council at the Council meetings and public hearings. 3. I will hold “Coffee with the Mayor” meetings at Town Hall. 4. And most importantly, I will listen to, and act upon, the wishes of residents to the best of my ability.
5. In your opinion, how do we best manage growth and still keep a small town atmosphere that we moved here for?
WH: Through proper and carefully thought-out zoning. I will advocate strongly to return to the 1 acre per lot minimum zoning that Weddington was founded on. I will work with the Town Council to develop a tree ordinance to keep a natural look and feel to the town. Together we will hold developers to our standards. I will hold true to restricting commercial to the commercial district as stated in the Land Use Plan and Town Ordinances.
Response from candidate Elizabeth Callis (referenced below as EC)
- Do you think our town economy is healthy, successful, and offers the right amount of shopper options? If not fully satisfied, what would you do to improve it?
EC: The towns economy is healthy and based on survey results offers enough shopping based on the needs of the community. We are surrounded in all directions with additional retail stores, so any needs not met in Weddington are within a 3-mile drive of Weddington Corners.
2. Some residents in our community say we have traffic flow problems today. How would you mitigate those concerns or improve the current situation?
EC: Traffic is a major problem in Weddington and for the last 2 years I have been working closely with NCDOT to learn the different sources of money that may be available to the town. The first step in the solution was to hire a consulting firm to provide us with traffic counts and level of service analysis for intersections that are problematic in Weddington. With this data we can submit bids for various NCDOT money and with a local match may increase our chances of funding. We are in that process now.
3. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
EC: Our zoning plan calls predominantly for single family development. Of the 11,000 acres of land in Weddington only 27 acres are zoned commercial, which is the Weddington Corners Shopping Center. I would change very little in our zoning code, as our strict 1-acre density has been important in creating and maintaining Weddington’s desirability and high property values. Our land use plan and zoning ordinances have changed very little in 20 years, however, we have been working on improving our ordinances to prevent mass grading of land and clear cutting of trees. These changes will allow the town to have more say in how neighborhoods are designed, keeping our open and green space in mind. Our unique rural character is so important to residents and this is one way we can help to protect that.
4. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision making process in our community?
EC: For residents to be involved in the decision-making process, it is important for them to be aware of current town business. We have recently gone to all digital media which allows the town to communicate quicker and more often. We encourage residents to sign up for our email list, which will provide them with all monthly agendas, quarterly newsletters and any upcoming town events. This list is private and strictly for the towns use. It is a great tool for residents to help keep in touch with what is going on. They can sign up by going to the TownofWeddington.com and look under the ‘HOW DO I” tab. I would also encourage residents to email me or your district representative if you have any questions or concerns and welcome all to our Monthly Regular Town Council meetings.
5. In your opinion, how do we best manage growth and still keep a small town atmosphere that we moved here for?
EC: Weddington’s growth rate of 1.97% has been the same for the last 8 years. Although it seems that we are growing very quickly, Weddington issues on average 140 Certificates of Occupancy per year. We are surrounded by towns that allow higher density housing and that is the tremendous growth that we all feel. At Weddington’s current growth rate it will be another 60 years before the town is fully built out. We do communicate our concerns with neighboring elected officials when higher density development directly affects our community. We are always working to preserve what Weddington can, but do not have the ability to control our neighboring towns and their municipal zoning.
