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Candidate Q&A: Phil Cowherd
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Published: October 18, 2009
Updated: 10/21/2009 11:36 am
Occupation
Budget and evaluation analyst, City of Charlotte
Education
Bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in public administration from UNC Charlotte
What life and professional experiences do you feel will help you if elected?
Four things: Educational background, occupational background, 10 years on Town Council, including two terms as mayor pro-tem, the ability to listen.
What are the three biggest issues facing your constituency and your community?
Adequate public facilities, financial stability and growth management. Growth (both residential and commercial) has been affected by the economy and has slowed considerably. The town is using this slowdown period to implement two planning initiates to prepare the town for when the economy does recover. The town's land use plan is being updated and the water and sewer system is being evaluated for maintenance and expansion.
The current year town budget was balanced without a tax increase and despite lower revenues from the sales tax. The financial landscape appears to have stabilized at this time. Nonetheless, it is important to continue our sound financial practices and maintain and enhance our policy of 30 percent of the annual operating budget in the fund balance (savings account).
The most pressing issue for the town, in my opinion, is the need for adequate facilities for the fire department and water and sewer. Fire Station No. 2 on Rocky River Road is below standard. I have toured most fire stations in Charlotte, and several stations in Concord, Phoenix, and Kansas City. Fire Station No. 2 needs to be replaced with an adequate new station. Secondly, the town has expended a good deal of money to implement a supplementary well water system in addition to purchasing water from the City of Concord. Unfortunately the well water is very hard and this clogs up dishwashers and other water dispensing appliances. The residential well system needs to be replaced with Concord water.
What specifically would you do to spur economic development and bring jobs, if elected?
Commercial/industrial development provides the town with good tax revenues and low service requirements, and the opposite is generally true with residential development. Despite our relatively low mix with regard to commercial/industrial development, Harrisburg has one of the lowest property tax rates in the state. Companies looking at Harrisburg will find excellent transportation accessibility and low taxes, which are two of the three variables for successful economic development. The third variable is marketing the product – Harrisburg. This will require paid Town of Harrisburg staff to implement a successful economic development strategy.
What is your vision for the community that would shape your decisions, if elected?
I fully support the vision as developed and approved by the Town Council, which may be found at the following link: http://www.harrisburgnc.org/council_vision_0.asp
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy backpacking the national parks, playing golf occasionally, and reading books.
What is the last book you have read?
The Jamestown Flood by David McCullough
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