DEBATE on NBC (WECT)
Sound Fiscal Management -- Low Taxes and Limited Government
New Hanover County was one of the few counties in the entire state of North Carolina to raise taxes this year, when many citizens are struggling with high energy costs and weakness in the economy. Truth be told, we're only beginning to see the consequences resulting from years of irresponsible spending on wasteful projects, special interest handouts and government largesse. Only Brian Berger has never wavered from the principles of fiscally responsible government and low taxation, something the Democrats, Republicans and career politicians fail to understand. Berger will fight to keep taxes low, in the short-term and long-term, by focusing on basic services: infrastructure, law enforcement, emergency management, and efficiency in all government programs. Too much attention and tax dollars have been spent on pet projects that should have been left to the private sector.
Too little attention has been paid to fighting crime, educational excellence, infrastructure needs and residents quality of life.
Economic Development
The most important role government can play in long-term economic vitality and bringing new jobs to the Cape Fear region is to protect and foster qualities that are attractive to businesses and individuals, and can sustain long-term growth. The environment and low taxes compared to places up North and in California are responsible for much of the growth New Hanover County has experienced, yet our elected officials seem intent on eroding both for short term gain. By keeping taxes down, improving infrastructure planning and education, and recognizing the value of New Hanover County's environment as magnets for long-term growth, we won't have to bribe companies to locate here. Businesses will want to set-up shop in the Cape Fear region.
Incentives
Taxpayer funding of the "Committee of 1o0," the affluent and influential advocacy group charged with spearheading "economic development" in the region, needs immediate re-evaluation. Through secretive meetings and promises of "incentives" (corporate welfare) to large corporations, and in spite of the taxpayer funding and incentives at its disposal, recruitment of new businesses and high-paying jobs has consistently underperformed expectations. Sparse results have been achieved despite the taxpayer dollars handed over to the "Committee of 100" (while domestic violence, crime victim assistance, anti-poverty and community improvement non-profits are told "there's no money available.")
New Hanover County's strategy and philosophy for recruiting new businesses is stuck in 1959. Times have changed. Abuse of incentives, such as the wake-up call presented in the Titan Cement "deal," is status-quo. Berger will bring a visionary approach and contemporary perspective to economic development in New Hanover County. The result will be more, better paying jobs. Not more pollution and taking money from taxpayers to help foreign multi-nationals that don't need taxpayer assistance.
Small Businesses
Small businesses are vital to New Hanover County's economy. Reducing the tax burden on small business owners and ensuring regulatory policies beneficial to small businesses will be one of my priorities. Property taxes, sales taxes and utility fees are just some of the costs government imposes on small businesses. New Hanover County should develop policies enabling small businesses to thrive and grow, hire new employees and increase pay for current employees.
Crime & Gang Activity
It's past time that our elected officials put the same, no more, effort into fighting crime that they have been putting into "developer services," real estate rezoning matters and billboard ordinances over the past several years. Just because crime victims don't underwrite the six-figure campaigns of County Board of Commissioners and City Council members does not justify the placement of special interest desires higher on the list of policy priorities and budgeting resources than fighting criminals and criminal enterprises. Brian Berger can be counted on to make fighting crime, gangs and other growing threats to public safety a higher priority than serving the needs of special interest groups. Others have sadly failed to do so when given the opportunity, using their time for other policy goals, and it's time for a change.
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - Disaster in Progress
While the other candidates for New Hanover County Commissioner rushed through the creation of an un-elected, unaccountable Authority intentionally designed to ease further neglect of the environment, enact susbtantial fee increases for residents, and provide a deceptive excuse for politicians to deny responsibility, only Brian Berger opposed this costly policy - the full costs of which will be billed to residents for years to come. Ten to twenty percent annual fee increases are not out of the question.
Read this letter sent to Jason Thompson, Ted Davis, and Bill Kopp, one of many efforts by Brian Berger to include some common sense procedures to protect citizens from rate increases, limit corruption and ensure some environmental protections - ignored by ALL FOUR DEMOCRAT and REPUBLICAN candidates for New Hanover Commissioner.
Forced Annexation
Berger will introduce a resolution opposing forced annexation, and whether it passes or fails with the other Commissioners, he will use his position as an elected official to vigorously advocate against unjust encroachment on your rights by revenue-hungry municipal governments. The silence of the New Hanover County commissioners on this fundamental question of citizens' rights and representation speaks volumes.
Affordable Housing
High taxes, and numerous increased fees for residents (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater), the growing costs of waste and mismanagement in New Hanover County, make it harder for retirees and working people alike to afford the rising cost of living in the County. Too many of our elected officials treat this struggle as a joke or exploit it for policy purposes. The lone Democrat proposes subsidizing homebuilders in building lots of dense housing next to a taxpayer-subsidized cement plant, which in theory would be more affordable than housing in other parts of New Hanover County. In time, though, this is a recipe for higher taxes, making that housing even more costly than it would have been under market conditions. Do we really want our teachers, firefighters, police officers, sanitation workers and working class families, and their children, steered toward "affordable housing" under the toxic cloud of the nation's fourth largest cement factory? The New Hanover County Democratic party says "yes." The Republicans love taxpayer subsidies for homebuilders and cement conglomerates, but don't see affordable housing as a major issue.
Brian Berger understands that government plays a big role in making housing less affordable and wants to pursue long-term solutions to address housing affordability in New Hanover County.
Private Property and Eminent Domain
Berger has pledged to protect property owners from unjust and un-American encroachments by government, and intends to introduce a resolution expressing the wishes of New Hanover County to amend the N.C. Constitution to prevent the use of eminent domain for the benefit of private developers. He will never support a "taking" to benefit a private party or "economic interest."
Illegal Immigration
New Hanover County should in no way aid or abet the lack of enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, and the County should document all costs taxpayers endure as a result of the failure to enforce immigration laws, and petition North Carolina's delegation to the State and Federal government to address this problem. Local elected officials, backed by voters, do influence policy at both the state and federal level. Silence indicates affirmation, and it's time to change the status quo.
Accountability and Ethics in Government
Berger is the only Commissioner candidate who will vigorously advocate for a tougher ethics policy for Commissioners, and all "citizen advisory" Boards and Authorities. These Boards are stacked almost exclusively with special interests, with too many conflicts of interest. Too many qualified applicants are turned away and diversity of representation and perspectives is virtually non-existent.
