ANSWER: I've worked hard to approach local government in a very non-partisan fashion. I will continue to take that approach in the future. Thank you for the question!!

ANSWER: At the national level, by this late date both campaigns seem to be going very negative. I spoke to someone in Greensboro yesterday who took advantage of early voting. She didn't do it because of enthusiasm but because she wanted to tune out the remaining campaign season!! Thank you for your encouraging words for my candidacy. Please visit my website @ VoteMikeBarber.com or shoot me an email - MikeBarberLaw@aol.com. Thanks again for your support and spread the word in District 7.

ANSWER: I drafted the current economic development policy that the county currently uses. We gained passage on Dec. 3rd, 2003. Since that time we have had the flexibility to negotiate with incoming businesses in a much more flexible manner regarding relocation assistance. I speak often about education because a community can have everything any community might have, but with a poor education system companies will not locate to that area. At the legislative level, N.C. can and should be much more progressive and aggressive. I participate at the state level as well. I am the only commissioner that is a member of the N.C. economic development Association and was a finalist for the volunteer/elected official of the year for the organization.

Also, can you tell me whether the bond issue for parks and recreation would enable funds to be allocated to the Coliseum or the Ball Park, which Greensboro voters have already voted NOT to support? Thank you for any information about these two things.

ANSWER: NC and Arizona are the only states that do not have self-financing bonds. The concept is to establish a district in a community and finance an amount to renovate the district or create a job site. The bond approved will not exceed the increased tax base created by the capital improvement. Therefore, the taxpayer does not pay off the bond with general funds, but it is paid by the monies collected from the financed improvements. I wouls also suggest that there are many fiscal decisions made by elected officials in our representative government. The "taxpayer hands" idea is a phrase used often on fiscal decisions by opposition. The monies from the parks bond have already been earmarked to projects, many related to school dual use parks, greenways, etc.. I am not aware of any proposed use related to the ballpark or the coliseum. Thank you for your question!

ANSWER: First, continue to support our public education system. A solid education system raises community intellect, eases the burden on law enforcement, and enhances economic development. I drafted the current county economic development plan and I hope to continue to adjust that to give our community a competitve advantage in job recruitment.