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Occupation: Real Estate - NC Licensed Real Estate Broker, State-Certified Real Estate Appraiser, Licensed NC General Contractor

Birth date: 10/18/1951

Address: 5773 Bethel Church Road, McLeansville, NC 27301

Web site and e-mail address: kirkperkins.com, kperkins@triad.rr.com

Party affiliation: Democrat

Elective experience
County Commissioner District 4 since December 2004

Other relevant experience (boards and commissions)
I serve as a liaison for the Board of Commissioners on the Agricultural Advisory Board, Greensboro Transportation Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board's Economic Incentive Committee, Jail Construction Advisory Committee and School Budget Committee. I am an Eagle Scout, a member of the Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy and serve on the Board of Directors for the Guilford County SPCA

Family
Wife: Nancy
Children: Son, Todd, daughter-in-law, Marsha; grandsons Logan and Carson

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
To continue to represent and work for District 4 and Guilford County residents.

What distinguishes you most from your opponent?
Experience as Commissioner, serving as Chairman, longevity in District 4, business experience

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
Ability to work with and represent all people, background as business owner, time in community and understanding of issues.

List your top three campaign issues and your stances on those issues (briefly, please)
Improving education: achievement and controlling cost of education. We should adequately fund our schools but have more oversight of capital projects.

Providing water and sewer services for unincorporated areas of Guilford County, especially in eastern Guilford County. This would stimulate growth and provided services for areas of old and failing septic systems as well as relieve pressure from growth in western Guilford County.

Increasing funding for law enforcement and emergency services. This would provide safer neighborhoods as well as better fire and ambulance services for people in the County especially cities in the more rural areas.

Are there areas of greater cooperation among Guilford County and the cities of Greensboro and High Point? If so, what are they?
There are many areas of opportunities for better understanding and cooperation with not only High Point and Greensboro but our smaller towns as well. As a Commissioner I have worked to reach out to our towns. We are all partners in a better quality of life for all Guilford County residents.

The county is going to face increasing expenses because of escalating energy costs. How do you propose to deal with this?
I have worked since being elected on areas of energy reduction especially in the use of our vehicles. I have worked with our Fleet Manager on the purchase of hybrid vehicles and presently am working on a study of county vehicles and our policy for assignment of those vehicles. We also must improve the energy efficiency of our building. We are addressing this issue as we update existing facilities and build new buildings.

What role do incentives play in a declining national and regional economy?
Incentives are a tool that can be used in our overall economic recruiting policy. I think even more important are safe neighborhoods, good schools, affordable housing and a quality and well trained workforce.

Should the county commissioners have more control over school construction?
Yes. I have proposed a study to consider the feasibility of the Commission taking over school construction. This would allow closer monitoring of costs and quality and allow the School Board to concentrate on education for our students.

For a number of years now, the board has earned a reputation for being sharply divided, often along party lines. Have things improved? If not, should they? If so, how?
There is still room for improvement but I feel this Board had less division especially along party lines. Generally our meetings have been more civil and productive. Last year's bipartisan budget vote and the ten votes I received for Chairman are positive signs of cooperation.

Does the county need a sales tax increase?
Absolutely. A sales tax increase would allow a source of revenue other than simply increasing property taxes. A better long term solution is to grow our non-residential tax base.

What are your biggest accomplishments as commissioner?
I think I have been able to bring some harmony to the Board of Commissioners and at the same time work for issues that are important to District 4 and Guilford County overall, my work on improving our county parks, school funding, advocating for a new jail, working with the animal coalition, supporting the purchase of the BB&T building.

What are issues from your district that need to be addressed?
Quality reasonable growth that addresses the residential and commercial needs of District 4 while protecting our heritage and rural quality of life and very important to residents of District 4. School construction for future growth is needed as our population increases. Typically I have found that issues of importance to District 4 are important to other areas of the County as well.