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Live Local. Live Small: Getting to know our local ballot of officials
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e are moving closer and closer to Election Day on November 2nd! As part of encore’s election coverage—and to help our valued reader learn more about our potential elected officials’ commitment to our local economy—Live Local sent a survey to the candidates for County Commission, NC State Representative and NC State Senate to learn about their Live Local habits and attitudes. Last week we talked with Deborah Butler, candidate for County Commission. This week we speak with her opponent, Brian Berger (www.voteberger.com). encore: Are you familiar with either the Buy Local ILM or the national Buy Local movement? How is Buy Local important to the Cape Fear region? Brian Berger: Yes, I support both. Supporting local businesses makes sense for many reasons, and has many benefits well beyond the more obvious economic advantages of doing business locally and engaging local vendors. Using time-tested economic and social principles and practices, with clear and irrefutable evidence of benefits, dating back to the earliest civilizations, simply makes sense. ... The current economic mess, to put it bluntly, is global in scale, and there are reasons to be concerned, even for those of us who tend to be optimistic and think we will emerge from the current crisis to a renewed period of growth, eventually. Globalization is not in whole or in part a “new economic paradigm,” immune to time-tested economic concepts and behavior, as some proponents suggested during recent decades. Instead of throwing out the lessons of history based on some false notion of a new world order, we are better served embracing the advantages inherent in supporting local businesses—especially now. Benefits [include:] helping local business owners survive and prosper, spurring new job opportunities, encouraging local innovation, strengthening social ties in the community, enhancing the community itself in myriad ways, adding security through selfsufficiency by manufacturing locally, reducing energy consumption in the supply chain ... It would be an added tragedy if we fail to act, to restore local foundations for economic output and transactions. ... Across-the board low taxation and fees,
by: Shea Carver
e: What is your position on Titan? BB: I’m the only candidate who has actively opposed the $4.2 million incentives deal negotiated behind closed doors for Titan Cement since the secretive “gift” was exposed—the only candidate who has been fighting for reform since the beginning. ... No other candidate for County Commissioner has been consistent and outspoken to the extent that I have, not only opposing the Titan deal, but in proposing more farreaching and systemic changes in our local government’s approach to the economy and environment—changes that are absolutely necessary to make real progress.
including utility fees, are critical to attracting more business to New Hanover County. These policies also enable existing businesses, both large and small, to prosper and grow. Small businesses are crucial to the local economy and deserving of a pro-business environment that enables all businesses to add jobs, hire new employees and increase pay for current employees. Increased prosperity for businesses—and perhaps small businesses in particular— and more opportunities in the job market will be real results of economic development policies that are based to a greater degree on Buy Local economic concepts and less on special tax incentives for favored corporations like Titan Cement. e: Do you frequent farmers’ markets? Given the recent egg recall in the Midwest, do you see a connection between local food production and food security? BB: I really like the farmers’ market concept and have purchased on occasion goods from local farms but don’t get to go as often as I’d like. Several years ago I took up gardening again with mixed success! Given that the egg recall is just the latest high-profile food recall in recent years (i.e. peanut-based products, spinach, green onions, strawberries, etc.), it’s a healthy choice to buy local foods, and to consider how the foods we consume are produced before we consume them. Buying from local growers and producers affords an opportunity to discuss these matters directly with the people who do the growing, producing and transporting. Most local farmers will gladly talk to customers about health concerns, and the production methods and safety procedures they employ. That’s valuable information for consumers. e: Do you support the Main Street Fairness Tax currently in committee in the U.S. House of Representatives? BB: Despite its nice-sounding name, and I’m no expert on the bill, nor [am I] running for Congress; if I was, I’d need to know more before being in a position to vote on it. Putting aside the nice name, we need to consider whether this bill is even Constitutional. ...
4 encore | september 29 - october 5, 2010 | www.encorepub.com
ON THE BALLOT: Brian Berger believes in an unequivocal overhaul of our tax system, supports Buy Local ILM and maintains himself the only candidate who has actively fought against Titan Cement from the beginning. Photo courtesy of candidate.
It’s also important to note that this bill may represent a serious threat to the many small businesses that have a Web site and conduct e-commerce. At a time when so many are unemployed, and so many small businesses are struggling, imposing new and burdensome requirements, like asking a small business to collect sales taxes, based on the sales tax in the state where a buyer lives, would be ridiculous. Current laws dictate that the buyer pay the taxes. The real issue isn’t helping local businesses—this bill would not—but the incredibly complex tax laws in this country. I support tax fairness and simplification, and would support this bill if it would move us in that direction, but what we really need is a complete overhaul of the tax laws in this country. ... That’s why I support the Fair Tax; it’s the best reform proposal to date, and if it’s not perfect, it would surely be an improvement over the current tax system.
e: How do you feel about annexation? BB: I oppose forced annexation and am committed to bringing about an end to forced annexation in NC. I proposed a resolution opposing forced annexation in 2008, and was pleased that the County Board finally took up the idea this year—a start in the right direction. Unjust encroachment on citizen’s rights by municipal governments is fundamentally wrong, and I have consistently stood tall for individual liberty and protecting the rights of citizens. e: Why should encore readers vote for you, and what should they know about you? BB: I am the only reform candidate who has fought for change and against the status quo. People are hurting in our community and the priorities of government must change. We don’t need more slick politicians and empty rhetoric. Taxpayers and small businesses are getting little in return for suffering among the highest tax burdens in NC, a burden local officials continue to increase, [which also hurts] families and seniors already struggling in a poor economy, in an increasingly unaffordable county. Government must focus on infrastructure, law enforcement, and public safety and education while leaving the bribes to foreign companies and wasteful, irresponsible spending to the private sector. As the only candidate to fight corruption, the CFPUA, secrecy in government and Titan, I have a consistent record fighting for change and a vision for New Hanover County that is suitable for the 21st century.