news-record.com

GREENSBORO — District 3 residents will choose between a sitting council member and a political newcomer in the City Council election.

Early voting is under way, and Election Day is Tuesday.

Here is what the candidates have to say about what they would like to accomplish.

George Hartzman

Age: 42

Residence: 2506 Baytree Drive

Occupation: Vice president of investments, financial adviser, Wells Fargo Financial Advisers; president and owner, Think Professional Education, teaching financial ethics for CPAs

How would you define your leadership style? “I try to live by these words as a parent, in my financial advisory practice, as an author, when teaching ethics, and as a girls fast-pitch softball coach: Have as much fun, with the least amount of risk, as soon as possible, for as long as possible.”

Goals for the term: Hartzman hopes to spend his first term pushing his fellow council members to adopt term limits and limits on accepting financial campaign contributions from people who do business with the city.

Hartzman said he planned to encourage more people to get involved in neighborhood watches to fight crime.

“We are going to have to increase the size of the police department,” Hartzman said.

Hartzman has stressed financial issues throughout the campaign. He suggests that the city could save money on employee health insurance and retirement packages.

“We have to prioritize our expenses and not borrow as much as possible,” he said.

He said he would advocate for a small business incentive program.

Zack Matheny (i)

Age: 36

Residence: 205 W. Newlyn Ave.

Occupation: Bell Partners, investor relations

How would you define your leadership style? “My leadership style tends to be collaborative. Recently, I held a meeting regarding downtown where business stakeholders, police, media, landlords and staff all sat around a table and shared ideas and thoughts about what we need to do to continue to move forward for downtown Greensboro. I want everyone to feel they have been heard, but I also realize when I need to step up and make sure the meeting is under control. Through this effort, we worked to amend two ordinances and are working to continue efforts together.”

Goals for the term: Matheny said he planned to continue to be accessible to constituents if elected to a second term.

“You’ve got to have the ability to listen and take everything in. Listening is a big part of it,” Matheny said.

A recent spate of burglaries has put crime front and center in District 3.

Matheny said he planned to have more neighborhood meetings to keep residents informed.

In terms of public safety, he also would like the city to add more police officers to the center city division by converting an overtime budget to full-time salaries.

Matheny said there needs to be more communication between the economic development agencies and the city so that council members have a better idea what they can do to encourage new jobs.

“We have got to build better trust and communication,” he said. “We have got to come together and create a better plan.”

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com