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Ron Surgeon

Occupation: Restaurant Management

Age: 56

Education: bachelor’s of science in political science from N.C. A&T, associate’s degree in criminal justice from GTCC

Address: 6806 Rustic Wood Court, Pleasant Garden

Email address: rhsurgeon@bellsouth.net

Previous elective experience: Served on three previous town councils

Other relevant experience: I served on the following boards: finance and administration, zoning and capital project committee. I have served as chair and vice chair on several of these boards.

Why have you chosen to run for this office? I love the Town of Pleasant Garden. I have the knowledge and experience to make sound decisions.

Key qualifications you would bring to the job: Experience, team player, respect for others, excellent leadership skills

Family: Wife, Brenda; children, Ronnie II and Shannon; grandchild, Paris.

What distinguishes you most from your opponents? My experience as a board member, six-plus years as a council member, my strong leadership skills and knowledge of how government functions.

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

1. Current budget: I do not support because of wasted tax dollars.

2. Most of the council isn’t respected by the town’s tax paying citizens; the town is micro-managed. We need to allow our boards and staff do their jobs.

3. Give soccer back to the recreation board.

If you were to give Pleasant Garden a letter grade on its effectiveness in managing growth, what would it be? C. The reason being no noticeable growth in the past two to four years.

What vote or decision of the current council would you overturn? Why do you disagree with the decision? I would overturn the current approved budget because of $20,000 (tax dollars) wasted on pet projects. These projects are nice, but they can be done at no cost to our taxpayers.