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Voters in District 3 recently voiced their ideas and concerns about issues in their neighborhoods with News & Record editors. They talked about the need for more police but less commercial rezoning.

The primary election is just six days away. We've asked two of those voters to offer questions to the candidates in District 3. We gave the candidates a chance to write a 100-word response.

Here is how the candidates responded to the voters' questions:

Roger Greene, age 52, White Horse Farms subdivision

"What are you going to do about nonconforming, high-density projects that keep getting passed? So many apartments and condos keep popping up in our district. They crowd the streets and strain resources. If you believe that's OK, tell us why. If you don't believe that's OK, tell us what you're going to do about it."

Berkley Blanks: "It is not OK. I have made 'quality of life' issues my main campaign theme. My family, friends and neighbors personally experienced this issue with the rezoning of the Stratford Drive area to allow for the expansion of Rice Toyota. This vote pandered to big business and big development with no concern for the integrity of our neighborhood. I do not plan on being a rubber stamp for zoning appeals that are brought before City Council. Each request must be considered in light of the effects it will have on families more so than the benefit to a few developers."

Bobby Coffer: The candidate did not return several phone messages seeking a response to the voters' questions.

Cyndy Hayworth: "As a new member of the zoning commission, I look at every request for neighborhood compatibility first and foremost. The Comprehensive Plan 2025 does call for increased density, but common sense has to be used when projects intrude into existing neighborhoods. Appropriate and equitable land-use decisions are both intellectual and instinctive. There is a need to balance private property rights with protecting the property values of those in existing neighborhoods."

Zack Matheny: "As a zoning commission member, I focus on reviewing each individual case with the city staff, landowners, neighboring landowners and developers to determine whether the project is a good fit for the city. Projects have to conform to the neighborhood community to receive my yes vote. As your city councilperson, I want to open the lines of communication amongst all groups, especially the neighborhoods so that we all understand the decision. Many apartments are being built for student housing in locations that single-family homes will not be built. This needs to be understood, as well."

Joe Wilson: "Apartments/condos reduce tax-base revenue when compared to single-family or industrial uses. High density puts unbalanced strain on infrastructure. Take Battleground North for an example: 288 units with a single entrance in front of a charter school, adjacent to a shopping center on a busy two-lane road. They are high-traffic generators. The road system cannot handle the existing load. This land-use decision was irresponsible on the part of zoning commission/City Council members. I will require more proactive planning to get Greensboro better-positioned to accommodate expected growth, not create more strangleholds like this one."

Michele van Gobes, age 57, Pineburr community

"Please address why it is or isn't a conflict of interest when a City Council member gets the majority of their campaign funding primarily from real estate developers and attorneys who represent real estate developers. Please explain whether you would recuse yourself from voting on zoning issues, at least the ones that are brought by and represented by those who were majority contributors to your campaign."

Berkley Blanks: "I will not be a bobbing-head puppet fed by developers. You will not have to worry about me not excluding myself from such votes, because I am not seeking the support, nor will I accept the support of real estate developers or their political action committees. I will have the freedom to consider each request in an unbiased manner, placing the greatest consideration on the quality-of-life issues for our families. I will also focus on environmental issues as they relate to development. Only after those issues have been satisfied will I move forward with approval for development."

Bobby Coffer: The candidate did not return several phone messages seeking a response to the voters' questions.

Cyndy Hayworth: "As my campaign finance report will reveal, real people, not PACs or special-interests groups, have supported my campaign. However, it is important that voters know that City Council members must vote on all issues that come to council unless you have a direct financial interest. Also, City Council has to vote to allow you to abstain. The legalities of conflict of interest are defined and set by law and are not optional."

Zack Matheny: "When reviewing a case, I look at the issue before me, not whether a person presenting the issue is a contributor, developer or friend. I have received contributions from many different people who support me because of my experience and integrity as a leader. I am proud and humbled by the tremendous support I have received but would not hesitate to recuse myself in a case where I felt there was a conflict of interest. A legal conflict of interest does not exist simply because a prior contributor supports or opposes a project."

Joe Wilson: "It is a conflict of interest. Zoning commission members should not be eligible to hold elected office for two years after the appointment expires. We have two District 3 candidates who are now zoning commission members and are currently voting on rezoning cases that they may vote on again in the appeal process if elected to City Council. We should make policy changes to prevent this from happening again. My contributions have come from everyday people in all walks of life. I will recuse myself if I have a professional interest in the outcome of the decision."