Greensboro Primary '07: Sandy Carmany

The following is City Council District 5 candidate Sandy Carmany's complete response to our survey. Click here for the list of questions.

Sandy Carmany
• Date of birth: January 20, 1949
• Profession, or former profession if retired : current community activist/volunteer, formerly a media assistant in the (then) Greensboro Public Schools
• Name of employer, if applicable: not applicable
• Previous political experience, if any: Greensboro City Council District 5 representative since 1991
• Level of education, and name of school from which highest degree was received: Graduated from Southeast Guilford High School as valedictorian, was a chemistry major at NC State University but did not complete degree
• Please list any campaign websites or blogs: http://sandycarmany.blogspot.com/


The Early Action Compact’s strategies have proven successful -- we expect the Triad to be declared “in attainment” of EPA’s 8-hour ozone standard in late December – so no changes seem to be needed at the moment. While improvement is always possible and desirable, Greensboro is already considered a leader in such “green” areas as the use of biofuel and hybrid vehicles, large transit ridership, and emphasis on walkability (sidewalks and trails), to name a few. (77)
2. New and/or expanded roads AND increased, improved bus service are the most productive and viable options, having the most immediate impact in reducing traffic congestion. Personal vehicles and mass transit are the most heavily used options by the large majority of Greensboro citizens. While I encourage bicycle usage, I realize this option is not practical for most commuters. I support light rail, but funding is problematic and it will take years to develop the system. (75)
3. Adequate infrastructure (water, sewer, and roads) in place along with good city services. 2) A highly-skilled workforce. 3) Business-friendly policies to expedite processing of permits. 4) Attractive, high quality of life and excellent school system. 5) Reasonable tax and fee structure. 6) Targeted recruiting emphasizing our strengths. 7) Judicious use of reasonable economic incentives to attract high-paying jobs. 8) Trouble-shooting advice and financial assistance for small business start-ups such as the Targeted Loan Pool. (75)
4. As long as economic incentives remain legal nationwide, Greensboro must retain the option of awarding them in order to remain competitive in attracting good-paying jobs. The factors I consider are – 1) the number of new jobs, their pay scale, and employee benefits, 2) the financial soundness and business record of the company, and 3) whether or not the incentive will actually tip the decision in Greensboro’s favor or is it being considered as an entitlement? (76)
5. Provide efficient city services and adequate infrastructure (water, sewer, and streets) that satisfy the needs of businesses (and citizens) within an affordable tax and fee structure. 2) Be mindful of the financial and regulatory impacts of new city regulations and ordinances. 3) Continue to provide professional consultation and trouble-shooting assistance through the Assistant City Manager and his business-assistance team. 4) Maintain the Targeted Loan Pool to encourage viable small business start-ups. (72)
6. No, such a social program should be implemented nationwide, statewide, or at an absolute bare minimum — countywide — so as not to put Greensboro employers and businesses at a distinct economic disadvantage with High Point and the other towns in Guilford County. Why would potential new businesses choose to locate inside the Greensboro city limits in the future if they automatically had to incur higher labor costs than if they were located outside our city limits? (76)
7. Fringe development, infill development, and redevelopment all play important roles in the city’s growth pattern. While it is vitally important to protect greenspace, there are few (if any) available 100+-acre sites inside the city to locate large companies such as Dell or HondaJet. With the coming predicted population boom in NC, it is highly unlikely the needed housing can be accommodated inside the city’s current “footprint.” Growth – infill or fringe – must be carefully planned. (75)
8. Yes. This strategically located area will be developed (and already is), with or without a sensible plan to accommodate the expanding population and explosive growth that is coming. It is best to have planned growth that controls and directs such development and preserves adequate greenspace instead of the random, hodgepodge sprawl that occurs when “we just let it happen.” Property owners in the affected area should be included in the development of the HOT plan. (76)
9. Police Chief Bellamy is acting appropriately to thoroughly investigate the complaints, resolve them fairly while being mindful of the city’s financial liability, and put proper procedures into place to prevent their recurrence, keeping the City Manager informed of progress. To the public, this progress may appear slow, but it is important that these important decisions be based in fact and that the city (and the State Bureau of Investigation) “gets it right the first time.” (75)
10. No. The current process using a subcommittee of the city’s Human Relations Commission provides an adequate review of any inquiries or complaints lodged by private citizens against a city police officer. Data from other locales that do have police review boards with subpoena power indicates no significant difference in the resolution of complaints or in citizen satisfaction with the process and/or outcomes. (62)