12 • CORNELIUS TODAY • October 2017
Elections 2017 continued from page 10
• 911 Emergency Board (former Chair, 4 years)) • Growth Management Committee (1 year – led to our first moratorium on residential growth) • 3 private corporate boards (current) • Former US Army Ranger • 4 daughters in CMS schools and service as Chair, Bailey Middle School Leadership Team • YMCA youth sports coach – more than 45 teams! Our infrastructure has not kept up with growth. What should we do? DG: Two answers. 1. Complete near/medium term key transportation projects (Highway 21 /E. Catawba roundabout; Torrence Chapel roundabouts; Bailey Rd straightening to Highway 21; W. Catawba widening to Sam Furr; Northcross Extension; Smithville connector to Highway 21). All of these are finally teed-up and in-progress 2. Constrain residential growth, especially high density apartment complexes. This is the most important thing we can do to achieve our vision for a distinctive town with an exceptionally high quality of life. Nothing kills quality of life faster than growing housing too fast with the wrong projects in the wrong areas. Big transportation infrastructure improvements take way too long and cost way too much to ignore the residential growth side of the coin. Too many Commissioners have not understood this over the past two decades.
Michael F. Miltich
Age: 65 Family: Spouse Ann, 5 children and 6 grandchildren Residence: Nantz Road Years in Cornelius : 22 Occupation: Otolaryngologist at Charlotte EENT Associates for 34 years
What experience(s) do you have that would make you a good commissioner? MM: I believe that my medical decision making and ethics training place me in an ideal position to continue serving on the town board. A commissioner cannot accomplish much alone. We need to work together and address the important issues facing our town. During my first term, there were many examples of this, such as my working with my fellow Commissioners for a 25% reduction of the proposed tax increase. I have managed and merged differing opinions in order to obtain desired results. I took an oath to do no harm. That convinced me not to solicit campaign funds so I can be in a position to represent every citizen equally. I will also not accept donations from those who may have business at Town Hall. I believe that political donations can prevent equal access for all. It is just the right thing to do.
Giving Every Customer The Service They Deserve! • • • • • •
Shipping Packing Printing Gift Wrap Gift Bags/Cards Mailbox Rental
• • • • • •
Notary Greeting Cards Shredding Kangan Water Packing Supplies Blueprints
Small & Large Format Printing | Mailboxes
704-237-4247
20619 Torrence Chapel Road | Next to Stein Mart
Our infrastructure has not kept up with growth. What should we do? MM: On the growth side, many developments are already approved or can done “By Right.” Further approvals need to be sensitive to infrastructure issues. Exceptions should only be allowed for exemplary projects. To deal with current problems, continue to widen existing roads wherever practical and possible while keeping the concerns of our residents in mind. Use state of the art technology to improve traffic signal efficiency with less waiting. Examine automotive alternates which includes transit/bus, biking, walking, and small single person mobility (motorized scooters, etc.). Strongly advocate with our regional municipalities for local projects at CRTPO. Aggressively pursue state and federal grants. Support a bond package to finance current projects. Start planning the necessary infrastructure now in anticipation of future development. We must also monitor other infrastructure needs such as schools, water/sewer, police and fire protection to be sure they are being adequately addressed as our town population grows.
Kurt Naas
Age: 55 Spouse: Maria and son Stephen (19) Resident of Cornelius since 2005 Residence: Peninsula Occupation: Co-owner of a Corneliusbased manufacturing business
What experience(s) do you have that would make you a good commissioner? KN: As the owner of a local manufacturing business, I understand the burden of over regulation and high taxes and I’ll fight to keep our town
business- and tax-friendly. As the founder of Widen I77, I’ve been our region’s leading voice in completing the I77 project without tolls. Through my five-year effort I’ve forged working relationships with leaders from Statesville to Charlotte and from Lincolnton to Stallings. I’ve led dozens of town halls and fielded hundreds of questions from the public in a manner that’s always been respectful and considerate. I believe elected officials must listen to the public- something I’ve been doing for years. I’ve advocated for transparent government, having uncovered several unsavory aspects of the toll contract. As a result of these efforts I was named the 2015 Citizen of the Year by the North Carolina Open Government Coalition. I remain the only citizen ever to receive the award. Our infrastructure has not kept up with growth. What should we do? KN: First, we need to ask the tough questions about the impact of future development while still respecting property rights. I’ve started doing just that in my Cornelius Corners blog, and I’ll continue that as your commissioner. Second, we need to make better use of our existing infrastructure. One way is improving traffic light efficiency by installing adaptive signal control, a technology that increases traffic throughput by 10-30%. I’ve worked three years to bring this technology to Cornelius, and I’m excited to announce the first installation in North Carolina will happen in Cornelius next Spring! Third, we need to fix CRTPO. This will be a long and complex process, but I’ve already started the work with state and local officials. Fourth, we citizen input in the transportation planning process by reconstituting the Transportation Advisory Board, something I served on for five years before the town board disbanded it in 2013.
Continued on page 13