Greensboro Primary '07: Milton Kern

The following is mayoral candidate Milton Kern's complete response to our survey. Click here for the list of questions.

Milton Kern
• Date of birth: June 13, 1944
• Professional background: General contractor, Milton Kern & Co.
• Previous political experience: None
• Highest level of education: Attended East Carolina University, Mitchell Junior College and UNC-Charlotte
• Websites: miltonkernformayor.com, myspace.com/miltonkernformayor



1. I think the city is on the right track and I support the existing recommendations of the Piedmont Triad Early Action Compact program. Any changes would stem from expanding efforts in a more aggressive manner that already exist in the program such as more energy-efficient and “green” buildings. (49)
2. a) Increased bus service, b) light rail, c) new roads, and d) more bicycle facilities. We must make sure we meet the future needs of all taxpayers. (28)
3. I believe we need to continue to support existing businesses so they can continue to thrive, and we need to recruit new business in a more aggressive manner. I do believe incentives are necessary, but they must be used in a reasonable and smart way so as not to just throw money at any potential new business or expansion of existing businesses. (63)
4. I support the use of economic incentives on a limited basis. They are necessary to recruit new business and at times to keep current businesses here that provide quality jobs, but there are other factors involved in businesses relocating such as quality of public schools, housing and quality of our city’s workforce that need to be emphasized and focused on by our elected officials as well. (67)
5. First, we have to support our small businesses by reining in the fees and taxes they have to pay simply to do business. Secondly, we need to work with and support our local colleges and universities, and community college, to make sure we provide a well trained workforce for businesses to recruit from. (54)
6. No, because I believe local government must first address the most basic issues that are most pressing — jobs, public safety/gangs, and more open and efficient government — before we move onto other issues such as the $9.36 minimum wage. (39)
7. Greensboro is going to and needs to grow, but in a responsible manner. The Connections 2025 Comprehensive plan was a good start in responsible growth through comprehensive planning, but I think we need to reassess where we are with that plan and make sure we are following a set of guidelines and not running roughshod over it simply because one particular group or another does not like it. (69)
8. Yes, as long as we are not creating a new municipal area. (13)
9. I do not like the way it was handled. I believe there should have been more information provided to the public in a more timely manner. As it is now, competing stories have been floating around and I believe citizens have lost confidence in the city council’s ability to handle the matter because of a perception of inaction. Waiting two years to start making the information public is not right. (71)
10. No. The police officers have a boss in the chief. The chief has a boss in the city manager. The city manager has a boss in the city council and the city council members have a boss — the voters. We don’t need more bosses, we need more open government. (50)