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Occupation
Attorney; I have practiced law in Greensboro for over 27 years.

Birthdate
February 8, 1951

Address
4005 Watauga Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410

Web site/e-mail address
winsaw@juno.com

Party affiliation
Republican

Elective experience
Elected to N. C. State Senate from Guilford County; District #32 in 1984; Served in the state senate 1985-86

Other relevant experience (boards and commissions)
Member, N. C. Council on Developmental Disabilities, 1985-86; member, N. C. State Bar, 1980-present; member, N. C. Bar Association, 1980-present.

Family
Married to Debbie Sawyer for over 30 years; Six children: Mary Ann, 25; Dottie, 23; Cathy, 21; Wendell, Jr., 19; Sally, 17; Rebecca, 15

Why have you chosen to run for this office?
I want to assist in halting the constant property tax increases by the county and I want to implement more itemization and transparency in the budget process.

What distinguishes you most from your opponents?
I am an attorney and I have previous experience in the state legislature.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job
BA Degree from High Point College; JD Degree from the University of Arkansas; licensed attorney; former state senator.

List your top three campaign issues and your stances on those issues (briefly, please)

Fiscal transparency: The taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent by the county.
Last month, the John Locke Foundation issued a "Transparency Report Card." Guilford County received an overall grade of "D-minus." What was most disturbing to me was that Guilford County received an "F" in the subsection regarding the transparency of government contracts with outside vendors. I want to open the windows of the county government and provide itemized and detailed information regarding all expenditures. This way, the taxpayers can judge for themselves if their money is being spent wisely.
All budget negotiations between commissioners should be conducted in public. I am opposed to the practice of commissioners meeting in groups of five or less to avoid the requirements of the Open Meetings Act. These private meetings about the budget deprive the taxpayers of their right to know the decision-making processes that determine the expenditures of tax dollars collected by the county.

I am a proponent of reducing the county's property tax rate. I know that this will be a difficult task because of the recent passage of the bonds for the schools and the new jail. However, if I am elected, it is my intention to examine the expenditures made by the county on an item-by-item basis with a special focus on construction costs and contracts with outside vendors to determine any wasteful spending by the county.

How will you contribute to greater civility on the board?
When I was a member of the state senate, I witnessed and participated in many debates on the senate floor. On some occasions, the emotion level was high and the senators would passionately argue their positions on pending legislation. However, it was forbidden by the senate rules for any member while on the senate floor to engage in personal attacks on a fellow senator or engage in conduct that was rude or impolite. I would request the commissioners to adopt a similar rule.

What large projects or expenditures do you anticipate in the next few years for Guilford County?
With the recent passage of the bonds, school and jail construction are at the top of the list.

Should the board require that its chairman be an at-large representative?
No; I think that the district representatives should have the same opportunity to serve in that capacity.

Under what circumstances will you approve of economic incentives for new or expanding businesses?
I am opposed to any such economic incentives. If Guilford County provides a low property tax rate, produces good public schools and minimizes bureaucratic
red tape, businesses will want to come to our county without the commissioners raiding the public treasury for corporate purposes.

How can county government improve relations and coordinate the delivery of services with municipalities?
It should be a partnership effort.

With which aspect of county government are you most satisfied, with which are you most dissatisfied, and why?
Most satisfied: The staffs of the various county departments seem to be professional and they keep things running smoothly. Most dissatisfied: The budget process. For example, the proposed budget reads like a public relations document. It lists what appear to be worthwhile programs with big chunks of expenditures. The taxpayers need to know itemized, specific expenditures for equipment, supplies, renovations, construction, payroll and contracts with outside vendors.