Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 7 nonpartisan municipal elections has begun and continues through Saturday, Oct. 4. As part of WIZS’s ongoing coverage of the four Henderson City Council contests, Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny! focuses on the Ward 3 seat. Garry Daeke, the incumbent, and challenger Jason Spriggs are the two candidates who responded to a list of questions from WIZS. Their responses appear unedited and, in their entirety, below.
Garry Daeke
What prompted you to run for local office?
After coming home from college, I wanted to give back to my community and hopefully be a part of the solutions. I joined the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Planning Board, and served on the Downtown Development Commission. The experience I gained from these City centric boards prompted me to run for local office.
What’s your platform?
I believe we need citizens who will serve the best interests of the local community. Henderson is at a crossroads, and with a Council that can honor each other and work together to solve problems, we can focus on the areas of most need. For the City to grow, we have to add more taxable property, whether business or residential, to grow our budget. With that revenue, we need to begin building homes in our downtown areas where we have taken so many dilapidated structures down.
State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.
First, I am hoping that the next Council members honor each other for their individual knowledge and are willing to work as a team to reach positive outcomes for the citizens. Without that, we cannot move forward. Secondly, we have to acknowledge that our tax rates are high, and our expenditures the last few years have depended too much on fund balance to continue operations, so we must increase taxable properties to the City to maintain our present services, and that will be the key to growth and additional programs and services. Third, we must provide better housing options for our citizens within the City. We must foster growth in our downtown and the surrounding residential areas. Grow we must (annexation of new developments for revenue), but we cannot let the center of town, especially our neighborhoods, continue to decay.
What are your beliefs, ideas, and passions for ways to make Henderson the best place it can be?
My mother was specific in teaching us the Golden Rule as a way to always treat others with respect and honor. That has guided me throughout my personal and professional life. My passion for working to assist people to thrive in a safe, supported, and caring environment still drives me to make the best decisions for this community, and to make Henderson the best place it can be.
Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
After coming back home to Henderson from college, I worked for the Area Mental Health program for 15 years, specifically serving adults with developmental disabilities, assisting them with support services to live and find employment in the community. Next, I worked with FGV Smart Start for 25 years, serving families with young children, focusing on their social, emotional, and educational development. I have been blessed that my employment history allowed me to utilize my passion for helping people and to be able to continue to learn of the multitude of challenges people face in our community. Combining this work, while serving on local boards and commissions, has enabled me to understand the work of the Henderson City Council.
How do you feel about the current climate in the city? If elected what are your short and long term goals?
The current climate in the city is problematic. Presently, there is not a collaborative environment on the Henderson City Council. The lack of transparency, the efforts to control rather than involve all elected members, and the loss of any team effort has crippled the City and created an environment in which our professional staff does not feel supported. Council efforts are now competitive, yet should be one of collaboration and working together. Elect people who are honored to serve, and choose to do this because they care. My short term goals are to re-create the positive working environment that we previously enjoyed at the City, and restoring the publics’ confidence in the City Council and its’ leadership. Longer term goals are building a stronger revenue base, creating better housing options in the City, revitalizing downtown with new businesses and customers, and continuing the upgrade of our infrastructure (sewer, water) and as well as our streets, many of which need pothole work and additional paving.
Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.
Born and raised in Henderson, after coming home after college (UNC-Chapel Hill) and volunteering to work on many community and City boards, I decided to apply what I had learned and run for Henderson City Council. I have served Ward Three for 20 years. Presently, I am Mayor pro tem, chair of the Kerr Lake Regional Water System board, and chair of the Public Works committee. I have been married for forty one years (wife, Scarlett), and have two sons (Adam and Aaron). I am a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church.
A City Council member is a steward of the citizens’ resources. Our work must be done with equity for all, with honesty, and transparency so that our citizens can see and understand what we are doing with their money and property.
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Jason Spriggs
What prompted you to run for local office?
I’m running for the 3rd Ward City Council because I have a deep desire to improve the lives of the people closest to me…my family, friends, and neighbors. I’ve seen our city’s progress slow down noticeably. I believe the best way to serve those I love and the entire community is to step up, help get us back on a path of progress, and ensure our progress is benefitting everyone equally.
What’s your platform?
My platform focuses on key initiatives that will improve our city:
- Complete Downtown Projects: Finish the Montgomery St. park (skate and splash pad) and build the Downtown pavilion.
- Support Local Organizations: Provide continued financial support for local non-profits and the Henderson Vance Chamber of Commerce.
- Invest in City Employees: Improve yearly salary and compensation for all municipal employees.
- Enhance City Operations: Separate the City Manager and City Attorney dual roles, officially transition to the “City of Water,” and reinstate the Assistant to the Mayor position.
- Improve Public Services: Secure funding for year-round street cleaning and establish a Community Resource Center on the Eastside to serve youth and seniors.
State the three most important issues you see that are facing the city and explain how you plan to address these issues if you’re elected.
The three most important issues I believe our city is currently facing are a loss of citizen morale, the ongoing problem of incomplete city projects, and the need to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. If elected, I plan to prioritize transparency and communication by holding more accessible public forums and actively seeking citizen input. City Hall should re-prioritize and secure the necessary funding to complete what has already been started before we initiate any new, large-scale projects. I would like to implement a year-round street-cleaning program by hiring local contractors in order to make our city noticeably cleaner, while making sure our police and fire departments have the resources they need to keep us safe.
What are your beliefs, ideas and passions for ways to make Henderson the best city it can be?
We have to remember that the city we pass on to our children and grandchildren is the legacy we are building today. Henderson deserves our full commitment, and we should always be ready to support new ideas that improve the quality of life for every single resident.
Explain how your personal and professional experience will contribute to the work of the City Council.
With over a decade of experience in public service and politics, I’ve had the honor of serving on the City Council and on the boards of local non-profits like the United Way, Visions Learning and Tutoring, and the Boys & Girls Club. This dual experience has given me a unique perspective, allowing me to not only help create policies but also secure meaningful grants that directly fund the work of these vital organizations.
How do you feel about the current climate in the city?
Our residents want more from their city, and their frustration is a call to action. That’s something I can empathize with. Change happens when people are able to express their discontent. I’m certainly listening and hopefully our elected officials are too.
If elected, what are your short-term goals?
Short term, we need to complete the Montgomery St. park project as well as our Downtown Pavilion and hire local contractors to clean up our neighborhoods.
Long-term goals?
Long term, we need to make progress on our 3rd fire station and work with our state and federal partners to ensure our Kerr Lake Regional Water Plant upgrade is funded in its entirety and completed.
Please share any additional information that you want voters to know about you.
While I respect our political parties, I am an unaffiliated (independent) voter and public servant committed to one platform: our entire community. My focus is on finding common ground and crafting policies that create opportunities for all residents, regardless of their personal or political beliefs.
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