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Candidate Q&A: Tim Hagler

Staff compilation

Published: October 20, 2009

Updated: 10/21/2009 11:35 am

Occupation
Management consultant; Logistics specialist for manufacturer's rep industrial electrical equipment

Education
Bachelor's degree in business administration, Gardner-Webb University

What life and professional experiences do you feel will help you, if elected?
I started and grew a health care business for 12 years. I have been serving the citizens of Harrisburg since 1987 (13 years as town councilman; nine years as mayor); Past Chairman of Cabarrus Utilities Advisory Board (Now Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County-WSACC); Past Chairman of the Cabarrus County Elected Officials Board; Promoting Harrisburg on economic development opportunities through actively recruiting new business while serving the interests of existing Harrisburg businesses through retention efforts; I network to build strong relationships with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials for the benefit of Harrisburg

What are the three biggest issues facing your constituency and your community?
Land use planning, water quality and availability, and economic development by good growth. Of these the most important is economic development by good growth. The tax base for the town is comprised of approximately 75 percent residential and 25 percent non-residential. This means that ¾ of the Town's revenue stream is supported by homeowners. This trend must change in order to take the tax burden off residential and place it on commercial, retail, and industry. The only way this can happen is to grow (good growth) the non-residential development through promoting Harrisburg, recruiting and networking with outside business to attract them to town. This may require incentives by the Town and the County to be competitive with other states, counties, and municipalities.

What specifically would you do to spur economic development and bring jobs, if elected?
Continue to Partner with the Cabarrus EDC, as well as enhance and renew our own town economic development efforts. My plan is to overhaul the Harrisburg EDC to include membership from local businesses (a business advocacy council) and enroll in industry membership groups and conferences to network and showcase our town.

What is your vision for the community that would shape your decisions, if elected?
I like Harrisburg to have the small town feel while at the same time have exciting economic opportunities for growth in a non-residential sense. This would give the citizens an enhanced quality of life by being a sustainable community. Decisions that I make and ideas that I present would always promote the positive enhancement of the quality of life in Harrisburg

Do you have any hobbies?
My hobbies are church activities and football

What's the last book you read?
The Bible. I am currently studying the book of Luke in the New Testament.