There is little more that local law enforcement can do without new legislation voted in by the N.C. Senate. They failed miserably with this bill last session — after the House vote yes to make many gang activities felonies. Get this into law and we can get gangs!

2. Terms of office have been extended from two to four years for city government, where do you see projects in the city’s urban core (U.S. 321/I-85 entrance, historic downtown business district, Highland neighborhoods, Franklin Avenue and the Loray Mill) in four years?

Move the U.S. 321/I-85 intersection to the top of the priority list. A proposal for a major project in Center City is in the immediate future. I predict the Loray Mill will be completed. There are Franklin Avenue improvements approved. The Highland neighborhood is a good work in progress.

3. What do you think the most important infrastructure needs are in Gastonia, Gaston County, as the area continues to grow?

The adoption of the Unified Development Code by all municipalities and county government. Also, moving forward with more momentum on the proposal of a county-wide water/sewer system. I equate its immediacy to the school bond approval.

4) What do you think are the two biggest issues in Gastonia?

Listening to citizens everyday, I am convinced that our Center City redevelopment progress is currently number one. They want to see something big happen. The retention of new and current businesses and something that is going to insure that retention is imperative.