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Princeton board candidates on their agendas for town31 October 2007 — The News Leader asked each of the candidates for the Princeton Town Board to address the issue of the railroad crossing closings, the effectiveness of the Princeton police force, and how to best prepare for growth, along with whether the current Town Board effectively represents Princeton. We also asked why citizens should vote for them.
Lisa Floors Brown disagrees with closing the Center Street crossing, citing its access to downtown. If either of the crossings needs to be closed, Ms. Brown says the Barden Street crossing would be the sensible choice, but adds neither crossing has been an issue recently. While patrol time and the traffic before and after school are Ms. Brown's concerns, she believes the police department is doing an effective job. She suggests forming a committee to research what similar towns have done in regards to growth; she says the town needs to offer more encouragement to business owners. Although she believes the present town board has done a good job, Ms. Brown sees room for improvement, in regards to the relationship between the board and the town maintenance employees and citizen involvement in the monthly meetings. If there are problems that need to be addressed, she says, the board should take the initiative to follow through and get them resolved. Princeton citizens should vote for Ms. Brown, she says, because she truly has the town's best interests at heart, and she loves all that the town has to offer. She has been a resident practically all her life, and those who know her, know that she would do her very best if elected commissioner.
Greg Collins says "majority rules" in the case of the railroad closings. The citizens of Princeton, business owners, and emergency services personnel gave their answer during the town board meeting this month, he says: keep both crossings open. Mr. Collins feels the police department is proactive, but short staffed and under-funded. He says officers do not receive adequate training or needed equipment upgrades, and says they need more than one firearms qualification in a year, along with rapid deployment training for high risk entries. Mr. Collins cites with the building of the new elementary school as a reason to upgrade the department. "Princeton's police department needs to have better equipment than our criminals." Mr. Collins goes on to say that Princeton's leaders need to be proactive in supporting the department to rid the town of drug dealers. Princeton needs to work on water, sewer, and street improvement, Mr. Collins says, to prepare for growth. He also says the town needs a good working relationship with the DOT and needs to encourage and support local businesses, to attract and welcome travelers, who "will stop at a clean, attractive place." Mr. Collins does not believe that the town board is representing the town in an effective manner." He says no elected official of the town should receive any personal benefit or gain from contracts from the town. Princeton citizens should vote for Mr. Collins, he says, because he will "watch for and eliminate wasteful spending of the town's funds." He will assist the town in positive growth, support the police department in its efforts to clear the town of drug dealers and other criminals, work to improve street repairs and water and sewer repairs and services, and will give citizens and local businesses a voice in the town's decision making.
Eddie Haddock would not proceed on the railroad crossings closings until more details concerning incentives offered by the railroad companies are brought before the board. He believes that closing either crossing would be detrimental to safety, causing delays for fire and rescue responding to emergencies. He feels closing either crossing would potentially hurt downtown businesses. Mr. Haddock believes the police department is "doing an excellent job with the … limited resources the town has provided." Chief Lewis has found supplemental grants for the police department. He cites low criticism of the police department as evidence of its effectiveness. Mr. Haddock says that the current town board has already begun planning for growth in Princeton, improving the water and sewer system, adding employees, and adding the position of Town Administrator. Local inspections will also, according to Mr. Haddock, make for a more streamlined process. The new town hall, town park, and library will be attractive to new residents, along with the new school. While the board has made some decisions which might not have been popular, Mr. Haddock says they have tried to be fair. Mr. Haddock believes that it has been attentive to the citizens of Princeton. He sees the board as financially responsible to the citizens, specifically approving a 5% decrease on water and sewer rates, thus helping senior citizens and young married adults. Rates were restructured, so that low-end users pay less than those who use significant amounts of water monthly. Princeton citizens should vote for Mr. Haddock, he says, because he has served the town to the best of his ability during his term, using a "common sense" approach to the problems that have arisen over the years; he researches issues before voting on them. He also has extensive knowledge of the infrastructure of the town, which has been a cost-saving resource. He says wise allocation of the town's resources is the key to providing services and planning for the future.
Brandon Holland feels that neither the Center St. nor the Barden St. crossing should be closed, also citing the town's public hearing on the issue and the opposition of all who attended. The fire chief, rescue chief, and police chief all spoke against the closings, and, Mr. Holland says, with cities facing dying downtown business districts, he feels it is imperative to keep Princeton's downtown easily accessible While Mr. Holland feels that the Princeton Police Department is doing an effective job, being short one of its four full-time employees, he says, has placed a strain on the entire department. Since the officers receive "incredibly low pay," according to Mr. Holland, it has been difficult to find an officer to fill the vacancy. Mr. Holland adds that there is a large need for more training and equipment, so that citizens may be better served. He suggests that the town work aggressively to procure a positive image for the town through rejuvenating the appearance of property, instilling community pride, and developing a plan which would prioritize repaving of the town's streets. Mr. Holland also says the town must work diligently to attract commercial businesses that will come with the new U.S. 70 corridor that will build the job base and boost the local economy. Mr. Holland believes that the town board has done a fair job of representing the people of Princeton, but some board members have chosen to support their own opinions over those of the majority. He feels effective representation is a must in small town politics, and as a town commissioner, he states he will have no room for personal gain, and will always be a voice for the people of Princeton. Princeton citizens should vote for Mr. Holland, he says, based on his dedication to serving the community, and the fresh ideas he plans to introduce. He says his parents taught him at an early age the importance of working hard and being fair to all, and as a town commissioner, he will work diligently to serve each and every citizen, as he feels that each should be equally represented. Mr. Holland concludes that he will work hard for what is best in the town, and keep that at the center of his attention.
Safety, according to Walter Martin, should be the basis of the decision on the railroad crossing closings, along with protection of commerce, and reasonable accessibility. He says they can improve safety and keep both locations open by making three-way intersections at Edwards and Center Streets, and at Center and Railroad Streets. He adds that the town could make Barden and Railroad Street a three-way intersection, with all vehicles yielding to the car crossing the track, along with posting additional warnings on the stop sign about the crossing ahead. Presently, he says, the police department provides twenty-four-hour protection and has received over $100,000 in grant money, along with constantly conducting drug campaigns. He adds that the turnover rate is lower than it ever has been, and the force has gained the trust of larger agencies like the Sheriff's Department Narcotics Unit and the Smithfield Police. Princeton and Smithfield police worked together, he says, to solve a staged armed robbery, and to stop the rash of home burglaries in Princeton. Mr. Martin says that Princeton still has room for improvement, but has increased its effectiveness tremendously. In regards to growth, says Mr. Martin, Princeton has built or is currently planning to build water and sewer lines in potential growth areas. Excess sewer capacity can make money by treating other's sewer. Solid infrastructure will enable Princeton to handle future growth, according to Mr. Martin. His experience has taught him that it takes officers or maintenance workers a little over two years to become very proficient at their jobs, and the town currently loses a lot of people before or after that learning curve. He believes the high employee turnover rate hurts that plan for infrastructure. While Mr. Martin believes the last two boards are probably the most proactive the town has ever had, his concern is that courage may falter when it comes to the issue of providing timely and reliable services to citizens. He cites upcoming annexation issues as a testing time for the next board, and says that if it does not follow through with the annexation, some people will get rich while the town foots the bill. Princeton citizens should vote for Mr. Martin, he says, because he has worked in local government for over twenty-five years, and has been a leading contributor to the board because of that experience. He doesn't have any business interest in any of the votes he casts, he says, and takes leadership very seriously; he has been a supervisor for sixteen years, and has experience in supervising police and maintenance departments. He says he even worked in Princeton's maintenance department at one time. Mr. Martin concludes that he has the trust of the people, and that favor is an extremely powerful and unstoppable.
David Holt did not respond to the questionnaire.
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Wayne Wilson News Leader
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