Candidates for seats on the Kill Devil Hills town board faced the voters in a well-attended meeting Monday night, talking about their backgrounds and answering diverse questions on issues such as development, taxes and vision for the town.

The mayoral race was sparked by approval of construction which was a contentious issue last year and into this election season. Current Mayor Ray Sturza, recently retired from many years of service as director of the Dare County Planning Department,  was on hand at the League of Women Voters-sponsored event, as was his opponent, Sheila F. Davies. Sturza is stressing his experience, five years as mayor and his service as a commissioner, and the construction of the town hall  and the rest of that 300-acre complex, most of which took place during his tenure. Davies, from the First Flight subdivision near the new Lowe’s site, s stressing a new vision, transparency and “smart development.”

Two commissioner seats are open, and three of those running were on hand: Brandi Rheubotton, Michael Hogan and James Clark. Jeffrey Finch, who currently sits on the board, was not present.

Clark described himself as a person who has worked with builders  for many years and wants to attract small businesses and support tourism. He emphasized a “growth plan that works.:

Rheubottom is the director of the county Older Adult Services She has a degree in finance and describes herself as “not a practiced politician.” She said she has served on many committees and commissions.

Hogan has a degree in aeronautics, has worked in coal mines and served as a union leader, he worked for UPS and at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center and was an EMT. He has served on the Kill Devil Hills Planning Board for seven years, until last December. He is stressing a long-term vision for the town with specific goals and transparency.

The following are some of the questions asked and the candidates’ responses:

What impact do retirees and non-retirees  have on the budget and town services (mayoral candidates only)?

Sturza - Noted that a majority of KDH residents are over 45. Retirees, having no children, impact the town less than younger people who put more demand on the system.

Davies – Retirees bring the ability to contribute their time to the town; town services are adequate for both age groups; supports citizen engagement.

How will you increase transparency (mayoral candidates only)?

Davies – Supports using technology, including video meetings, putting highlights of meetings on the Internet.

Sturza . – Doesn’t think televised meetings or encapsulated points on the Internet are necessary; town has a sunshine list and the commissioners hold a town hall forum once or twice a year where citizens can ask questions of the board members; laws take care of the transparency issue.

What are your greatest accomplishments in the last 12 months and your least proud moment?

Hogan Greatest accomplishment is the time he has spent on his campaign (no least proud moment) .

Rheubotton – Time spent running for office (no least proud moment.

Clark – Many years spent in politics in Virginia (no least proud moment).

Davies – Service on the Albemarle Health group and the telepsychiatry project (no least proud moment).

Sturza – Getting his 80-year-old mother approved for Medicaid, funding and construction of the town’s skate board park; least proud moment is yelling at somebody in traffic.

Would you cut town services to avoid tax increases, and if so, which services would you cut?

Clark – No, would work to keep from cutting services.

Sturza – No, except in unforeseen crisis; town has maintained a stable tax rate with no reductions in force outside of dropping positions when someone retires; town has found efficiencies.

Davies – Not in favor of reductions or cutting services , though tough decisions should be made in collaboration with residents.

Rheubottom – Doesn’t favor cuts in services except in dire situations, financial issues should be dealt with in budget workshops.

Hogan – No reductions in services or number of employees, the town’s finances are already streamlined.

Would you consolidate services, such as the lifeguard force, with other towns or the county?

Davies – Yes, it is one way to avoid painful cuts in tough times.

Hogan – Would consider it if practical and no loss of service would result.

Sturza – Yes, economic pressures may make consolidation practical.

Rheubottom – Yes, other services, too; a good starting point.

Clark – Would be willing to chair a study on this issue.

Do you have more ideas to save money?

Rheubottom – Consider the budget line-by-line, combine services.

Clark – Consider budget line-by-line.

Sturza – Town finances are “cut to the bone,” town has implemented a payroll hiring freeze, would consider retirement incentives for the four employees in this situation; refinance debts.

Hogan – If you lower the tax rate, the less money you get; reluctant to vote for a tax increase.

Davies – Tap into growth; supports changing the revenue formula for shared taxes from one based on amount of tax money a town generates to one based on something else, such as population; shouldn’t pay contractors for things the staff can do.

What about sidewalks, grass cutting and edging on U.S. 158?

Sturza – Noted the town had $1 million in the street improvement fund last year and thought money should be spent on sidewalks.

Hogan – U.S. 158 is maintained by the state and the town should pressure local representatives and DOT about grass cutting. In better times, the town might do it.

Clark – Pressure the state to maintain U.S. 158.

Davies and Rheubottom – Agree that all need to be done.

Would you consider a public cemetery in KDH?

Clark – Not sure if town rules permit it; no problem investigating suitable place.

Rheubottom – Yes, need to explore proper place.

Davies – Open to it as part of shared vision with public.

Sturza – Willing to study it; hard to get cemetery to pay for itself.

How will the upcoming property revaluation affect the town budget?

Clark – Probably see lower property values, lower tax base; will have to look at it.

Davies – Expects values to shift from east side to the west side; educate citizenry about impact; look at shared revenues and how they are allocated.

Sturza – Develop a revenue neutral rate.

Rheubotton – Educate and plan in advance.

Hogan – Make shared revenues plan more equitable, avoid financial crisis.

Did you attend the workshop or the budget hearing last year (for Davies)?

Davies – Not at the workshop but found information on the Internet.

How would you make town government smaller?

Clark – Decide after ongoing manpower study is finished.

Hogan  – Would continue current procedures.

What would you do differently than the current board hs done?

Rheubotton – Be more transparent.

Do you support bicycling?

Davies – Yes, would work with law enforcement to put an end to safety violations.

Hogan – Supports multi-modal paths through the town; , supports biking events; wants more education about safety.

Clark – Supports cyclists.

Rheubottom – Educate citizens to know cyclists don’t have to stay on bike paths; work with law eiforcement for greater safety.

Sturza – Supports conflict resolution, safety awareness; get law enforcement involved; build an over pass at Colington Rd.

Do you support a four-year liberal arts college on the Outer Banks?

Sturza – Area has several higher education opportunities but would support a feasibility study; loss of powerful representative in Raleigh will affect this issue.

Rheubottom – Need to diversify opportunities.

Clark – Would support a study.

Davies – It would be a long-term project, the tele-industry would be able to help; we have people here who have the education to be professors.

Hogan – Would support it; many hurdles such as land cost, student housing, less funding from Raleigh; would not want anything to detract from opportunities already available.

Would you embrace or discourage development?

Hogan – Would embrace it if done carefully; building height on the oceanfront is about where town wants it;  encourage development and redevelopment; encourage business with incentives.

Davies – Supports smart development tied to what people want..

Sturza – Not much choice but to support, need it to stimulate economy; remove regulatory impediments.

Rheubottom – Supports smart development but not develop every piece of land.

During final comments Sturza said he would like to convene a committee of mayors to study safety on U.S.  Davies emphasized responsive, transparent government and a full discussion with citizens on issues. She also said terminology used in meetings needs to be simplified.