While the Major League Baseball season was in full swing, five local residents vying for a vacancy on the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners vacated their places during a meeting on Thursday afternoon.
These candidates had applied on time last month to occupy the city’s commissioner seat, formerly held by Mayor Ron Niland.
That opening was created through a series of events that began with the resignation of former Mayor David Rowe last October and the eventual appointment of Niland – who had also served as Mayor’s protest under Rowe – to the post of chief executive.
Citizens were asked to apply for the large-scale position that was open to residents from all areas of the municipality and was not limited to districts like the other four commissioner seats.
The list includes Mark Brown, Len Fawcett, Teresa Lewis, John Pritchard, and Joe Zalescik.
Thursday afternoon was reserved for each of the five to discuss their qualifications in front of the commissioners, who will decide who will be the newest board member at their next meeting on September 16.
They had 10 minutes to present their cases and their goals for the city. These ranged from trying to attract new industries, improving the city’s business corridors, transparency in local government, advocacy for the quality of life on Mount Airy, and others in between.
The candidates spoke in alphabetical order:
Mark Brown
Brown said during his presentation that he is approaching the possible role of city commissioner with no “political agenda” but wants to help Mount Airy in any way necessary.
He is news director and sports director for local radio station WPAQ / WSYD, works for Mayberry Squad Car Tours, and owns Brown Communications, which provides audio services for various events. Brown is also the writer and producer of Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tours.
“I’m selling Mount Airy as hard as I can,” he said of his work in the various roles.
Brown also addressed the fact that these are artistic in nature.
“My artistic background shouldn’t prevent you from seriously considering me for this position,” he told commissioners, saying the city council needed representatives with different interests.
Brown supports large projects envisaged by the city government, such as recent recommendations from vision committees, including developing an event center that would provide a permanent structure for the local farmers market.
However, Brown said he would also address relatively minor issues like the ongoing pavement issues on Willow Street, flooding on South Street, and the need for sidewalks along the U.S. 601 commercial corridor.
“I am ready to help, even if people hate my decisions.”
Len Fawcett
Instead of focusing on what’s wrong with Mount Airy, Fawcett spent much of his time on the podium on Thursday afternoon, praising positive elements of the city.
The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, relatively new additions to the downtown area like Whittling Wall and Melva’s Alley, art facilities, and the Mount Airy War Memorial were among others.
Fawcett, who spent a total of 35 years on higher-level golf courses in the area – including teaching the Roaring Gap golf club – is now semi-retired.
He mentioned the various changes that Mount Airy’s economy has undergone over the years, particularly the decline of the local textile industry. And Fawcett regards the ongoing renovation of one of these former manufacturing facilities, Spencers, as the most important economic development project in the history of the city.
The hopeful commissioner said one segment he wants to improve includes various business locations around the city to encourage growth, including along South and West Pine Streets, Franklin Street, West Lebanon Street, and along US 52.
Fawcett said if elected commissioner he would listen to the concerns of all residents of the city regardless of their socio-economic class.
“It’s a special place,” he said of Mount Airy, “and I want to make it even better.”
Teresa Lewis
Lewis is unique among the five applicants in that she was the only one who previously worked as a commissioner from 2009 to 2011 in the headquarters she was to fill.
“I feel extremely qualified,” said Lewis, who has served on the boards of various community organizations over the years in addition to her tenure with the city government.
Lewis is a retired businesswoman who has long been associated with WorkForce Unlimited, which she is chairman of, according to Thursday’s presentation.
Despite serving on the city council for a short time and choosing not to run for the 2011 local election, Lewis prides herself on her service on the board.
“I was the key voice for recycling,” she said of a move by commissioners in 2011 to start a roadside recycling program in the city.
Lewis also said Thursday that she had overcome several health problems, including stage 1 breast cancer, and was physically fit to serve as a councilor again.
Announcing her resignation in 2011, Lewis cited her company’s increasing demands and a desire to spend more time with her grandchildren.
John Pritchard
While praising Mount Airy’s tourism industry and quality of life, Pritchard said Thursday that broader economic foundations were needed.
“Even with these things we are sinking,” said Pritchard, who worked in banking for many years. “We need something else.”
He advocates more efforts to recruit new industries into the city, and says other cities the size of Mount Airy, North Carolina have done so.
“We need full-time jobs”, stressed Pritchard and mentioned that tourism and other local activities are “the dessert”.
“We need the main course,” he explained. “We need more jobs if we want to grow.”
Pritchard also indicated that he is a faithful observer of local government affairs. “I follow politics like other people follow sport.”
With that in mind, Pritchard said he was well acquainted with and up to date with city government activities, past and present.
“I have attended 95% of all (council) meetings in the last 10 or 12 years.”
Pritchard promised transparency in local government and said he would represent all citizens.
Joe Zalescik
Zalescik grew up in Hamilton, New Jersey, but said Thursday that he had moved to Mount Airy in recent years in hopes of staying here for the rest of his life.
He cited previous experiences in New Jersey, including serving with the fire department in his community and six years on an environmental advisory board.
Retired from a long career in healthcare media work, about 40 years in the hospital business, Zalescik now owns a small business here called Station 1978 Firehouse Peanuts, where he joined the fire department that year. He also coordinates the Mount Airy Farmers Market.
The former New Jersey resident also got a taste of city government from serving on the Mount Airy Planning Board. “We updated the codes and I worked really hard on the planning board,” he said.
“Ethics is number one in my book,” added Zalescik, adding that he would bring qualities that he would bring to the council if he were appointed commissioner general. “And I want to be as transparent as possible.”
The candidate also gave insights into how he would approach the legislative business: “I look at the details and then make a decision.”
Mount Airy already has a lot going for it, Zalescik said, including good public works like water and sanitation services and reasonable taxes.
Among other qualifications, he concluded, is “my passion for Mount Airy”.
Official reaction
“This will be a very difficult decision for our board of directors,” said Mayor Niland after hearing the presentations on the nomination campaign, saying he was looking forward to getting a new person soon.
“We have a big job to choose from among some very qualified applicants,” agreed Commissioner Marie Wood.
The two-week period leading up to the next meeting will allow the board to deliberate on who is best for the job, along with input from citizens, Wood said.
Commissioners Jon Cawley, Tom Koch and Steve Yokeley also thanked the five for their willingness to serve.
“I know it takes a lot of gut strength just to get your name out,” said Yokeley.
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