Background: Rawley, 57, and his wife Debbie have been married 33 years. The couple has two sons. Rawley earned his bachelor of science degree in business management from Averett College (now Averett University) in 1975 and worked for Dan River Inc. for 29 years — with last 16 as director of apparel customer service. He worked for MSC Inc. for two years in Fayetteville, N.C., as head of customer service, credit, collections and telemarketing before taking a job at Danville Community College two years ago as director of development. With the exception of the two years he lived in Fayetteville, Rawley has lived in Danville all of his life.

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

I love Danville simple as that. I have lived in Danville most of my life. I have been involved in numerous civic organizations. I served on City Council from 2002-04. I have always worked in the community to make it a great place to live. I am absolutely committed to being a part of Danville’s emergence as a vital growing city.

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

Two things. First, I want to seek out in our community the innovators, entrepreneurs, and visionaries and listen to what they are thinking — this means discovering opportunities. Secondly, I want to build relationships with Pittsylvania County Supervisors that I do not know. Our future depends on joint cooperation.

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?

I do not favor across-the-board rate cuts for utility customers. If this is done the money will have to come from another tax source. Danville has numerous avenues to help elderly poor and disabled citizens. We should make these avenues known to these citizens.

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, our partnership with AMP-Ohio is our best, most proactive opportunity to stabilize electric rates for all of our citizens including the neediest citizens in our community.

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

Danville is serious about improving our economy. We prove it by funding Public Schools. City Council now funds above the average for the state. There is a great relationship between City Council and the School Board. I fully intend to support Danville Public Schools in their creative pursuit of excellence.

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 partnership with Pittsylvania County. Cooperation is key to both the city and county’s economic future. I would encourage the development of additional joint economic parks such as The Cyber Park, and Cain Creek Centre. I believe the city and county make a great team.

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

Jerry was hired to stimulate economic development and that’s what he has done. Just think where we would be today if new jobs had not come to our community. His philosophy of pay as you go is working as our debt has gone down. More importantly, he has kept our balance sheet in great shape. Economic development and fiscal responsibility are his greatest assets.

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?

Jobs, jobs, jobs. I believe that job creation is the key to bringing former city residents and also new people to Danville. People are attracted to areas that have innovative entrepreneurial economic opportunities. I am committed to creating an environment where people want to live.

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?

I definitely support the retail hub strategy. You have it exactly right. This is part of an overall strategy. This will bring new shoppers to Danville. More customer traffic means more dollars spent. This will flow over to food, gas, hotels, movies, and Danville attractions.

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?

We need to support our schools and local colleges. We need to let students, as early as elementary school, know time and time again employer expectations. What I mean is — no drugs, learn math and reading skills, learn how to work in teams, develop critical thinking skills. We need to remember that learning is life long. Don’t be afraid to update your skills. We have DCC, Averett, and the Institute that are ready to help anyone who is willing to try.

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?

I believe that tourism is another piece of the overall strategy for our community renewal. Tourism brings dollars to Danville — concerts at Carrington Pavilion, the Community Market, Pigs in the Park, Harvest Jubilee, Angler’s Ridge Mountain Bike Trail, baseball and softball tournaments, VIR to name a few. Tourism is important, the more people we can bring to Danville the more our citizens benefit.

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?

Diverse job creation. It is a very competitive arena that we live in today. We are not unique when it comes to job creation. Every community in this country is trying to attract quality companies to their areas. Jobs and a forward thinking community will bring people and retain those who are already here.

13). What is your proposal for revitalizing downtown?

Downtown revitalizing was moved to the office of economic development furthering the city’s commitment to make downtown a priority. People such as Liz Sater, Anne Moore-Sparks, and key local realtors are working very hard to attract entrepreneurs to downtown and I believe it is working. We see many new businesses — food , law offices, retail, apartments , condos and lofts — locating downtown. We have seen established businesses expand, such as Rippe’s. New companies are locating in vacant tobacco warehouses. I believe downtown is going to get better and better.

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

Absolutely, if you look good you feel better about yourself same goes for our city. I like the city’s landscaping program. It is also my opinion that the city sets an example for its citizens. If the city spruces up so will private property owners.

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

First, let me say how much I appreciate our men and women who make up the Danville Police Department. As citizens, we need to cooperate with the Police by sharing what we see and hear. We need to strengthen and add other community areas to our neighborhood watch programs. It will take both the Police Department and us, the citizens of Danville, to resolve these problems. I believe we can make our city a great place for all our citizens to live.