The following is City Council At-Large candidate Sandra Anderson Groat's complete response to our survey. Click here for the list of questions.
Sandra Anderson Groat
• Date of birth: Jan. 10, 1945
• Professional background: President and founder of Sandra Anderson Builders
• Previous political experience: elected to mayor pro tem, 2005
• Highest level of education: three years at Greensboro College, 2005
1. Since I first answered this question in too many words on Aug. 1 some interesting things have happened. As you know, on Tuesday, Aug. 21, we as a city made a strong commitment to do more to clean our environment. I am proud of what our city is already doing in this area, and I hope that we will continue to make clean air a high priority. (68)
2. Increase bus service, bicycle facilities, light rail and new roads. In order of easier and more affordable to do, I put bus service first and bicycle facilities second. We need to have a light rail system because we are part of a region. We need to be able to travel to jobs and for other reasons to all areas of our region. We do need new roads as our city grows. (72)
3. We are on the right path in pursuit of companies with higher paying technical jobs. We need to educate our citizens for these technology-based jobs. Train and educate are two the most important things that we can do to stimulate our economy. We have to provide a good, qualified workforce for companies that are now here and those that will be coming. (63)
4. Yes, I do support economic incentives. As long as some states play the game, we must do so also. I consider the economic investment of the company and the number and quality of jobs they are bringing. I also care about the human resources policies and attitudes of the company. How they do business is important to me. (59)
5. At the present time, local businesses are often ignored. We should think of these businesses when we are making policies and looking for revenue. They are often the target — again and again — for city-county looking for money. We need to show appreciation for these businesses that provide about 80 percent of our jobs. (54)
6. I can argue both sides about a $9.36 living wage to be paid in the city of Greensboro. Would businesses move in order to avoid this? Would employers use illegal immigrants to do the job for less? Would employers give a job to a “marginal” employee? Would it cost the inexperienced, entry-level employee a job? At the same time everybody deserves wages that will afford them the essentials of life — shelter, food, clothing, educating their children. It is a very hard issue.
7. I support fringe development as well as infill development. Property on the fringe could be randomly built with septic tanks that might be a threat to our water system. Expanding the limits of our city stops other incorporations of communities. In order to prosper, our city must grow, and we have to have room to do it. (58)
8. I do support the Heart of the Triad concept. We are a region and at some point it will be in the best interest of both Forsyth and Guilford counties and others to join up and stop being so territorial. If we are going to become the “transportation hub of the Southeast,” we are going to have to all work together to make it happen. (66)
9. I do not like to make decisions or judgments on another person’s information and interpretation. I don’t like even the appearance of wrongdoing, and I think law enforcement should hold itself to that standard. It bothers me to hear allegations of racial issues in the department, but I just need to know more. Transparency in government would remedy a lot of the mystery that we now have about this and other issues. (73)
10. I would never give any citizens board of any kind subpoena power. That is power that is reserved for the courts and should stay that way. I would be in favor of the complaint board in the human relations board being strengthened to have some teeth in it. No subpoena power. (52)
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