|
"We
wanted to hold this press conference at one of our county fire departments
to underscore both the great service we all rely on in this county
– home protection from fire and rescue in time of emergency
– and the great danger these volunteer units are in for the
funding they need, along with many other programs and essential
services in Watauga County that will be negatively impacted if our
opponents win this election and carry through on their threat to
slash the county’s budget."
"We
believe strongly in openness and accountability, not only as elected
officials but also as candidates. This press conference is designed
to be a reflection of that open dialogue that citizens deserve."
"We’ve
been a little frustrated during this campaign trying to figure out
what our opponents really stand for. They have all talked about
cutting taxes. Those tax cuts would inevitably affect major services
and jobs in Watauga County, including the school system and the
sheriff’s department. Candidates Blust and Trivette have spoken
about cutting out 'the fat' in the school budget. When we asked
him to be specific, Mr. Blust offered up school arts as something
he’d sacrifice. Trivette and Honeycutt won’t say specifically
what they intend to cut."
"After
initially standing with Blust & Trivette as a tax-cutter, Mr.
Honeycutt has recently become more evasive on the issue. Asked directly
on Saturday the 12th whether he proposed to cut taxes, Honeycutt
would give no direct answer. Now he’s on radio with ads talking
about tax cuts. He says he has an elaborate 5-, 10-, and 15-year
plan but that it’s too complicated to explain until after he
gets elected. This sort of vagueness amounts to a smokescreen. And
the voters deserve more honesty, more forthrightness, more information
before they vote."
"Both
Mr. Blust and my opponent Mr. Trivette have used the same mantra,
that we must fund 'needs, not wants.' But what does that mean? At
a recent appearance on the ASU campus, Mr. Trivette said he proposed
to cut the local property tax rate by some 9 cents, which by County
Manager Rocky Nelson’s calculation would amount to a whopping
$4.5 million in lost revenues. But Candidate Trivette, like Candidate
Blust, refuses to say what jobs or services would be wiped out by
that reduction. It’s simply irresponsible to promise in a vague
way to cut taxes and not take any responsibility for the hardships
those cuts will cause."
"The
County Commission actually already lowered the tax rate earlier
this year to help offset the jump in local land values, so that
right now Watauga County is tied with Clay County for having the
lowest property tax rate in the state. Let me repeat that: Watauga
County right now has the lowest tax rate of the 100 counties in
the state of North Carolina."
"Let
me say something about the recent 3-2 vote on the County Commission
to raise sales taxes. The three Republicans voted to raise the sales
tax a half-penny, while Pat & I felt that the sales tax is highly
regressive and unfair. Low wage-earners pay disproportionately more
of their take-home salaries for the necessities that are covered
by this sales tax. It’s unfair, and it’s an additional
burden that should not be laid on the backs of our working people.
Where are Mr. Blust, Mr. Honeycutt, and Mr. Trivette on this tax?
Whose interests are they really looking out after?"
"But
if Blust Trivette, and Honeycutt get their way, the essential services
of the county will be seriously compromised, and people WILL lose
jobs. The Blust/Trivette mantra of 'needs, not wants' will translate
into a reality where everybody is needy."
|
