Talking with the Candidates

 EOD wishes to thank, incumbent Dare County Commissioner, Jack Shea (R) and

 his challenger, Robin Mann (D) for providing us with their answers to the questions, below.                                      

Questions:

1.  Do you support spending local tax dollars for beach nourishment?  Elaborate.

Shea:  I believe that preventing coast erosion is important. I am dismayed that the State and Federal governments are not addressing this issue.

Concerning beach nourishment, this approach  is at best a temporary measure.  A major storm could wash away all the costly sand that had been deposited on the shoreline.  Groins may be more effective but can be unsightly.

I would like to see a demonstration project to determine if low  profile offshore reefs would work in this area.  This approach, I believe, could be a win win situation. It appears that such an approach could prevent further erosion by absorbing much of the  wave energy, bring in sand that ocean water movement is bringing down the coast and encourage fish to come to the reef areas.  I believe that any solution to

the erosion process should be long lasting and not an ongoing spending of our local tax dollars.

Mann:  I have always supported the repair of our beaches.  They are the foundation and economic engine to our tourism industry.  I support using the local occupancy tax dollars that have been collected for beach nourishment to pay the county share of local, state and federal projects, however the sponsoring governments must contribute substantially to the project.   Dare occupancy taxes should not be the only source of funds.  I heard the voters loudly that they do not favor sales tax raised to pay for it.  I would not support legislative action to overturn those election results.

Further, I am opposed to using property tax dollars for beach nourishment and will not vote to raises property taxes for beach nourishment.  The tourist tax dollars should be used for rebuilding our all important tourist economy infrastructure.

I am familiar with other beaches such as Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ where beach nourishment was a success. Those are beaches that we are in direct competition with Dare County for vacationers and investors. As a resident since 1984 I have seen the loss of homes and the oceanfront beaches which transfer into the loss of income for Dare County.  We need our tourists and the average revenue of 76 million paid in state and local taxes that our year round residents would have otherwise had to pay. We need the tourism industry for all of our high quality of life in Dare County.
 

2.  Do you support placing terminal groins along our Outer Banks beaches (excluding Oregon Inlet)? Elaborate.

Shea: See answer to Question #1.

Mann:  Currently terminal groins and jetties are not permitted as part of nourishment projects under state law.   Should the state permit their use to protect our investment in beach reconstruction then we should review their use on a case by case basis to see if the impacts to sand transport outweigh the potential savings.

3.  If re-elected, would you support another property tax increase for next year’s county budget?  Elaborate.

Shea: If re-elected , I will continue to oppose tax increases as the easy answer to solving budget problems as my record shows.  Any tax increase should be the last resort after all other measures have been taken to significantly reduce or eliminate all those functions which are not necessary or mandated governmental services and responsibilities. My"crystal ball" is not clear, but I believe the future may have in store for us the possibility that the state or federal government may pass down to us more unfunded mandates because of their spending and revenue shortfalls.  This could have  a serious impact on all of us taxpayers. 

Mann :  I believe next year is also going to be a tough year for residents on the Outer Banks. I understand and share the financial strains my fellow residents are facing. If elected I will bring a fresh set of eyes and my experience running a local business to the County’s budget process and I am confident we can find ways to balance our budget, maintain vital services without putting an additional burden on county taxpayers.  Important components of the high quality of life in Dare County, of course is public education, public safety and public health.  We strive to maintain quality services but do not want to burden taxpayers with increased taxes.  I will be a good steward of the taxpayer’s money and will provide them with the best value for their tax dollars.

4.  Do you think Dare County should be re-districted as to the location of its seven elected commissioners?  Elaborate

Shea:  I believe the county should be re-districted.  Today, two of the seven commissioners are from the Manteo area.  Should my opponent win .then 3 would be from this area. 

The bulk of the population lives from Nags Head  and north.  Representation on the Board of Commissioners should reflect the interest of the county as a whole and not have a disproportionate representation from one county location.

Mann:  When the 2010 census data becomes available I believe the County should look at if there is a need to redrawing the county district map.  In redrawing the map we must make sure that communities with common interests share common districts and that the less populous, unique areas of our county maintain their voice in county affairs while maintaining the Constitutional mandate of one person, one vote. 

Commissioners are not elected by their “district” because the entire County weighs in and votes on every Commissioner in every “district”.  Each Commissioner is responsible for the entire County and its budget and County Services.

Regardless of district lines I know that I will fully represent all of Dare County. All of Dare County currently is able to cast a vote for me.  I will be elected by the entire county and because of that my representation is for all citizens in this County. Any registered voter that lives in Dare County should feel that the decisions I make are the best decisions for the best interests for all of Dare County.

Footnote: You may reach each candidate's website by clicking on their name below:

Jack Shea

Robin Mann