Background: I am a native of Danville, 66, single (divorced) and have two grown daughters. Education: Danville Public Schools and Virginia Tech – Danville branch, then Blacksburg. Currently, I am the executive director of the International Broadcasters’ Idea Bank, which is the second largest radio station trade group. Previously, I was president and CEO of Piedmont Broadcasting Corp. (WBTM/WAKG).

1). Why are you running for a seat on Danville City Council?

After serving two terms on city council, I want to continue working to move Danville forward. There is a lot of good work in progress that needs to be completed.

2). What would you like to accomplish during your first year on Danville City Council?

I would like to see Danville partner with Pittsylvania County to open a new, even larger industrial park. We need to continue to bring jobs to the area; in particular, jobs that offer good salaries and benefits.
I also would like to see a concerted, no-nonsense effort to reverse the crime rate.

3). What would you do about the cost of utilities in Danville? Do you support utility rate relief for the elderly poor and disabled? Do you favor more across-the-board rate cuts for utility customers?

Utility rates must be kept as low as possible. Natural gas customers are already getting the benefit of our recently negotiated gas purchase agreements, which have resulted in savings. While Danville has seen increases in all utility costs, if you could pick up your home and move it to any nearby city, you would probably have to pay even more for your electricity and natural gas. In another city, you would probably have to deal with an investor-owned company with no local service people and no local telephone number to call. Remember, our utilities are owned by the citizens of Danville. All income goes to balance our budget and thereby reduce taxes. Danville customers can deal with local people when they have problems. This is especially helpful if there is a problem paying your bill. The city is also active in programs to provide assistance to those needing financial help. I am in favor of continuing these efforts. To be clear, however, I am not in favor of the city cutting rates or forgiving debts for a limited number of customers. To do so would shift the burden to you, our paying customers, and to other taxpayers.

4). Do you support the city’s plan to join with AMP-Ohio to build a new electric power plant? Is that our best chance to stabilize electric rates?

Yes, I support the AMP-Ohio partnership. We should look for similar arrangements to continue to stabilize electric rates. This is preferable to any “going alone” solution.

5). Does Danville Public Schools receive enough money from Danville City Council? Would you support more local dollars going toward the public schools?

Danville Public Schools receive adequate funding from city council. We have responded positively to requests from the Danville School Board. Is this enough? No: we should always strive to better educate our children. We need to keep teacher’s pay competitive. Throwing money at a problem is not the way to solve it. But a good education is not cheap.

6). Do you support the city’s cooperative economic development efforts with Pittsylvania County? Would you like to see more joint city-county projects in the future?

Yes, I support the joint city-county efforts and would like to see more, as indicated in my first answer above.

7). How would you grade Danville City Manager Jerry Gwaltney on his job performance? What is his strongest asset? What should he do differently?

Mr. Gwaltney gets high marks from me, especially on his efforts to bring industry to Danville and his ability to keep the budget balanced with minimal tax increases. These two qualities make up his greatest asset(s). Sometimes I think Mr. Gwaltney needs to delegate more; he takes on many projects at once and stays personally involved to the end.

8). How would you address the issue of population loss in Danville? Is this now the time to try to recruit former city residents “back home”? How would you do this?

People have left Danville because of the total losses of Dan River Inc. and our tobacco business. I fear some may be leaving because of the increase in crime. Until Danville is perceived as a safe place to live, we cannot expect to have former residents move back. We can bring thousands of new jobs here, which is the logical way to address population loss. This alone will not result in increased residents within the city limits. We must be aggressive when it comes to crime prevention. We must continue to address housing blight which harbors criminals in addition to looking so bad. Let’s do whatever it takes!

9). Do you support Danville’s retail hub strategy (to attract retail stores here as part of the overall economic development plan)? Do you think it will work?

Yes, I support the retail hub strategy. It is a good part of economic development – but just one part. We need manufacturing jobs as well. I feel the retail hub will work; we have invested millions of dollars in this program of progress.

10). How should the city help prepare local residents for the jobs that are coming to the community? What role should City Council have in the development of an effective work force development system?

Preparing the workforce is a continuing challenge. There are several excellent programs offered in this area. The need is to convince people to take advantage of them.

11). How important is tourism to Danville? Are Danville’s historic sites attractive to outside visitors? Should the city spend more or less on tourism?

Danville has a lot to offer tourists and we should take advantage of what we have. Maybe it is time to consider placing tourism under our Department of Economic Development. Tourism is the second greatest industry in Virginia. Let’s recruit it.

12). How would you attract people to the city/retain those that are already here and make it a place that is attractive to people of all ages?

My comments in #8 and my beliefs in the great need for better-paying jobs would go a long way towards attracting people to the city. As we are able to attract more customers who come to Danville to shop, it is hoped new restaurants and recreational facilities will locate here. This will help reverse the flow of people to Greensboro because “there is nothing to do” in Danville.

13). What is your proposal for revitalizing downtown?

Since the city now has downtown revitalizing under our economic development umbrella, I feel we will see continued improvements in the inner city. I do not propose to change that recent move. We already have a nucleus of high-tech industry and quality housing in the district. It will grow.

14). Is the city’s landscaping program worth the money that has been spent on it?

Yes it is worth it, especially when you consider the commercial sponsors which cover much of the costs. We have a beautiful city in all of the places where these projects have been completed.

15). How should City Council attack the problems of crime in general, and gangs in particular?

We need to place more emphasis on preventing crime before it occurs. Community policing should come back even stronger. Having visible law enforcement officers is a great deterrent to crime, including gang activity. We have the best Commonwealth Attorney in Virginia. We need to support his office and his efforts every way possible.
If we cannot prevent crime, need to make sure the guilty pay a high price for what they do to our community and society.