news-record.com

Anne Kearns Hice

Office you seek: Mayor, Town of Pleasant Garden

Occupation: Retired Educator: Guilford and Randolph Counties, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Currently: Education Consultant and Facilitator: Carolina Biological Supply Company, The North Carolina Center for Advancement Teaching, Manage Family Partnership in Pleasant Garden

Age: 65

Education: B.S. from Appalachian University, M.S. from UNCG and M.S. from N.C. A&T

Address: 6759 Kearney Road, Pleasant Garden
Web site/blog/email address: electannehice.com, akhice@earthlink.net

Previous elective experience: Elected to Pleasant Garden Town Council in 2005. Served first two years as a council member and became mayor in December 2007.

Other relevant experience: Planning committee for Elected Officials Breakfasts; Guilford County Mayors’ Forum; Guilford County Solid Waste committees, Greensboro-Guilford Crime Stoppers Board, Elon University’s environmental study board

Why have you chosen to run for this office? Many Pleasant Garden residents have encouraged me to continue in the positive direction we are moving the town. I interpret this to mean that they trust and respect me as a leader, believe I keep my word and will work for the good of all. I am humbled by this responsibility and stand committed to serve to the best of my ability.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job: My varied education and leadership career taught me thrift and resourcefulness. I am willing to explore new ideas, yet cautious and thorough. Daily interaction with a variety of town residents keeps me abreast of citizen concerns.

In the time I have served as mayor, I have been a good steward of taxpayer dollars, reducing local property tax 50 percent. At the same time, I have actively pursued partnerships with agencies and governmental departments to bring important services to Pleasant Garden residents. These efforts fall under the umbrella of why we incorporated — to protect values and control development in the Pleasant Garden community. In other words, maintain our historical rural and agricultural heritage.

Family: Husband, Richard Hice; two children; five grandchildren, all residents of Pleasant Garden

What distinguishes you most from your opponents? I am a Pleasant Garden native, a member of the third generation to reside on the family farm. Farm work and 4-H paid for my college education. My children and grandchildren have the same opportunity and I am pleased they have chosen to follow in my footsteps.

Please list the top three issues in Pleasant Garden and your stances on those issues:

1. Property Tax — To keep local property taxes as low as possible. Property tax revenue should be for the benefit for all property owners.

2. Planning and Zoning Ordinances — To protect the existing residential and agricultural property values and control development by maintaining the current path. A primary reason for incorporation in 1997.

3. Governmental Relationships — To maintain and expand partnership initiatives established in the past two years. It is critical that the citizens of Pleasant Garden have a voice in governmental affairs of Guilford County and the Piedmont Triad. Another primary reason to incorporate in 1997.

If you were to give Pleasant Garden a letter grade on its effectiveness in managing growth, what would it be? A+, The Land Use Plan (The Continued Path) we have adopted provides for slow steady growth.

What vote or decision of the current council would you overturn? Why do you disagree with the decision?: The vote to significantly reduce the funding for the Senior Luncheon Program in the 2009-10 budget. This program has operated since its inception in 2002 without an agreement with Senior Resources of Guilford. A memorandum of understanding is being developed which will clearly define the roles of the agency and town. At its August meeting, the council approved adding funds to this outreach program.