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News & Record election questionnaire - Greensboro City Council District 3

Office you seek
City Council - District 3

Occupation
Financial Consultant, A.G. Edwards Investment

Age
34

Education
Bachelors of Science from North Carolina State University
Professional Licenses include the Series 7, 63, and 66, also Life and Health Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance License

Address
205 W. Newlyn Street
Greensboro, NC 27408

Web site/blog/email address
http://www.mathenyforcouncil.com

Previous elective experience
N/A

Other relevant experience (boards and commissions, etc.)
Current Member of the Greensboro Zoning Commission - 2005- present
Member UNCG Business Administration Advisory Board - 2005-present
Chair of Fundraising for Greensboro Bicentennial 2006 - present
Greensboro United Way Loaned Executive 2002 -2007
Greensboro Sports Council 2004-present
K for Kids an initiative to raise funds to enable all kids to attend summer camp, 2007
Future Fund of Greater Greensboro 2002-present
Member of the Chrysler Classic Executive Committee 2005, 2006
Founder -" Making Connections Around the table " 2003-present,
Member of SynerG coalition of young professionals 2002-present
Greensboro Opera Board 2005-present
GTCC Financial Teaching Instructor 2001-2007, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Operating Board 2003-2006

Family
Single

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
I want to make a positive difference in Greensboro and believe wholeheartedly in doing all that I can to help ensure a positive and prosperous future for the citizens. My professional experience as a financial consultant and my extensive civic involvement, both on the Greensboro Zoning Commission and with other community sectors have prepared me to make an immediate impact on the City Council. From the budgeting process to guided growth and everything in between, I will open the lines of communication across city constituents and departments, roll up my sleeves and get to work serving the citizens in District 3 as well as throughout Greensboro.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
Through my service on the Greensboro Zoning Commission I understand the importance of working through land use issues to aid in controlling growth as well as in the importance of working with city staff, property owners, surrounding property owners, and developers to determine this best decision for the growth we are experiencing. A high percentage of city council responsibilities relate to zoning issues.
My professional experience in the corporate environment and expertise in financial consulting give me need knowledge in analyzing the city budget
Service in the non-profit sector gives me a unique perspective, both for the budgeting process and to help maximize quality of life for citizens
These areas demonstrate my knowledge and passion for Greensboro and why I will make an effective City Council representative.

What distinguishes you most from your opponent(s)?
I have proven myself as an involved leader in the community at a young age, yet I have learned about our community the old fashioned way, by volunteering and becoming involved. This involvement has provided me with extensive knowledge throughout many areas in the community, including my community and civic activities, my financial expertise, and understanding the role that city council plays for the citizens of Greensboro.

Please list the top three issues in your district and your stances on those issues (briefly, please).
Guided Growth. The District is experiencing a lot of new growth, predominately in the Northern section of the District. We need to ensure that all new developments are reviewed in every aspect, including the comprehensive plan, surrounding property owners, city staff and developers to ensure we are making the correct decisions for the years to come and not just filling in land areas with developments that will not work to the best needs of the citizens.

Responsible leadership - We need a city Council that the citizens have confidence in and believe they are representing our city positively and with integrity both to attract businesses to our city and region, and to also, be prudent with our taxpayer dollars.

Economic Development - In order to bring jobs into Greensboro we need to all get on the same page. We have terrific corporations, foundations, citizens, and non-profits who all want the same things, to have more jobs for our citizens. I believe that with my experience in volunteering and my background in the corpoate world, I can bridge the gap of communication between the groups and create a city council that will listen, and work with these groups as well as compnaies that are considering operations in Greensboro.

Traffic is also a growing problem.

If different from above, please list the top three issues citywide and your position on them (briefly, please).
Police Force - We need to build moral within the police force that will trickle down into the popoulation of Greensboro. We have over 300 men and women that work hard for our safety, and a leader in Tim Bellamy that will take us into the future. For the citizens to believe in the police force, the force needs to believe in themselves.

Gangs - There is an obvious gang problem that has arisen in our city. It is my opinion that we need to move some officers to focus on this area now, and review the needs on an ongoing basis.

Economic Development - same as above

What lessons do you think should be drawn from recent problems in the Greensboro Police Department?
The bad conduct of a few individuals are not representative of the entire organization. To fully understand the extent of the problems of the police force, we all need to undertsnad the issues that actually happened. Therefore, I would push to have the SBI report be accessible to the public so that we can indeed know and undertsnad the reality of the problems the police force went through. We all need to know the truth before we can point fingers.

Have those problems been resolved? Why or why not?
This goes with my earlier comments, it is my opinion, that at this time the police force is working through these issues in hopes to better themselves and to build the trust back with the citizens of Greensboro.
I have not had access to the full reports of briefings so I am not able to make true informed opinions as to the final resolution. Once elected to City Council, I will work to resolve these issues and move our city and the police department forward.

Have the mayor and City Council done an effective job in addressing Greensboro 's economic needs? What more should they do?
While we have had some economic success stories in the past few years, we need a lot more. Our City Council should be actively leading the effort to promote economic development. This includes everything from recruiting new industry to the simple things like making sure the city government is easy to do busy with. The City Council and Mayor have done an ok job in addressing the economic needs.

If you were to give the city a letter grade on its effectiveness in managing growth, what would it be?
A-
The City Council understands that the Connections 2025 Comprehensive plan is to be used as a guide. On the Zoning Commission, I have seen first hand the different developments that have come through that in some cases are much better than the plan might have called for as well as some areas that did not match the needs of the citizens. We all need to understand that growth is occurring, development is a moving target, and to do our best to listen to all parties involved and make the best decision based on the facts.

How would you evaluate the City Council's handling of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's report?
I understand the trust and reconciliation commissions report is important to many citizens and for a small number it will bring some closure. However, we have many current problems that impact lives of our citizens today that we need more attention. As a city council member, a goal of mine is to continue the efforts of my peer groups that look past racial lines and connect with each other. We do not have the tensions that existed in other generations. We have formed a social group we named Tapestry, where we continue to blend "different" backgrounds and come together as a unifed group. My hope is that we can move forward with new thinking, understanding the past and living in the now, and the future, for our sake, and our childrens sake.

What vote or decision of the current council would you overturn? Why do you disagree with the decision?
The bond referendums is the issue I would like to see have had more conversation. Instead of not really discussing and throwing all of them on the ballot at once, they essentially killed a few projects. It was simply unfair to many needs of the citizens and the city in moving forward.

Does Greensboro have a gang problem, and if so, how best to address it?
Yes, it is apparent that Greensboro has a gang problem. We need to understand that adding more police officers means taking away from other basic needs in the budget for the citizens of Greensboro. The immediate area I would lean towards, without having full knowledge of all the aspects, is to move current police officers onto a task force to begin handling the problem. This will give immediate help and then we can continue to dialogue with the Police Department, City Manager, and City Council to determine what more we can do going forward.

A recent social capital study cites not only continuing distrust among citizens in Greensboro but higher-than-average distrust of the police department and city government in general. How would you address those problems?
There is no question that we need a moral e boost for the Police Department, and City Council, predominately the Police Department. I have faith in Chief Tim Bellamy and that is a first step. I hope that he can increase moral within the current and future police force and that will spill out into the citizens. Also, tackling the gang situation and making a difference fast will help bridge the gap of distrust.

What current council member do you admire most? Why?
Tom Phillips. Tom has spent many years working hard for the citizens of Greensboro. Tom comes prepared to meetings and has a great knowledge of the inner and outer workings of what the City Council is charged to accomplish. Tom is a Councilman that will help you get the answers you request and to try and do something about any problems. Another aspect is that Tom was not afraid to represent a position that was not otherwise being communicated on the City Council.

What should be the vision for Guilford County be?
Greensboro, and Guilford County in a great place to live, perform business, learn, and play. We must continue getting the message out to other areas, the vision in my eyes:

Guilford County, come enjoying living, working, learning and playing.