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Frank Bruno

Candidate for Stokesdale Town Council

Occupation: Insurance and Estate Planning

Age: 47

Education: BS from Syracuse University in film, radio and TV Production, Education certificate from New York University, Associate Culinary Degree from GTCC, Financial Planning Degree from Guilford College

Relevant Experience: Management experience in a variety of businesses including managing the Audio for Film Department at NYU, managing small to medium sized restaurants and bakery as owner and executive chef and pastry Chef, small business owner for 18 years.

Why have you chosen to run for office? It is my intention to represent all of the people of Stokesdale and adhere to the principles of our vision statement. We are moving forward with projects before knowing what the current and future costs will be to our citizens. We need to be fiscally responsible so that whatever direction we choose to go, it does not impose additional taxes. I would also like to see the revitalization of our downtown area. I believe the town council can play a key role in this process by helping bring both citizens and business back to the area.

Key Qualifications:

• Management experience in both small to medium sized businesses.
• Background in business and finance
• Teaching experience at NYU

Family: Married to my wife Paula for 24 years. We have 2 daughters, Alexandra who is 17, and Frances who is 6. We have lived in Stokesdale for 18 years

What distinguishes you most from your opponents? I am a longtime resident of Stokesdale, having moved to the area in 1991. I have been in the customer service business most of my life. I believe this gives me the ability to listen to people’s needs, and thus represent their wishes.

3 top issues in Stokesdale?

1. Building of the New Town Hall: I am currently opposed to the building of the new town hall. I am concerned with the process in which the town hall is moving forward and the fact that we have a large portion of citizens in Stokesdale who are opposed to it. We do not have enough information regarding the expected costs to run the town hall to determine whether it will cause a property tax in the future.
2. Liquor By The Drink Vote: I am opposed to allowing liquor by the drink in Stokesdale. I believe that by approving this, we will be doing more harm then good to the community. Most people see this as a vote for restaurants, but this is only a small portion of the kind of establishments that would be allowed if it passes. Most restaurants are more concerned with population density and the demographics of a community before they will even consider whether to move into an area. A local bar, on the other hand, is more concerned with selling liquor. I would encourage the voters to go to the NC ABC web site and look up what establishment will be allowed to sell liquor before they cast their vote.
3. Development of Downtown: I am in favor of reviving the downtown area to make it more attractive to our citizens and attract more businesses. I do not feel that enough has been done by the current town council to help in this process.

If you were to give Stokesdale a letter grade on its effectiveness in managing growth, what would it be? I would give the town a C grade based on their lack of effort and lack of results to revive the downtown area.

What vote of the current council would you overturn and why? I would change the vote to put the town hall on the same land as the town park. I believe that if we are serious about reviving our downtown area, then the town hall should be located in downtown, not on a dead end street. Since the proposed town hall location is not located near downtown, we are sending the message that the downtown area is not important to Stokesdale. It would make more sense to include a community building in the park area and include the town hall as a central part of our downtown area.