Leaders discuss priorities for 2017
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on December 31, 2016 2:28 PM
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District 1 Councilman Antonio Williams
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District 2 Councilman Bill Broadaway
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District 3 Councilman Mark Stevens
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District 4 Councilman Bevan Foster
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District 5 Councilman David Ham
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District 6 Councilman Gene Aycock
Building a stronger police force while working on projects that improve quality of life top the list of goals for the Goldsboro City Council in 2017.
"I still want to figure out how we get more citizen involvement and participation," Mayor Chuck Allen said. "We just want to make our city more inclusive. That's a big deal to me."
Allen said he's interested in getting multiple projects off the ground in 2017, including the construction of a new multisport complex, needed road improvements and, at least, designs in place for a new Herman Park recreation center.
Allen predicts that downtown improvements will continue including the addition of wayfinding signs and a new outdoor theater, farmer's market and splash pad in the Cornerstone Commons. The work will take place due to the city's $5 million federal transportation award, announced in the summer.
The city's goal to expand its fire and police departments, with extra evidence storage capacity, are another priority in the new year.
Other goals for the new year include working toward an improved education and public school system, continued partnerships with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base leadership and helping people recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
"We still need to help our folks that were in the flood and help bring some normalcy to their lives," Allen said.
About 300 homes were temporarily condemned by city inspectors due to unsafe living conditions until repairs can be made. An estimated 45 homes have been repaired, leaving the majority in condemned status, said Allen Anderson Jr., the city's chief building inspector.
Much like other members of the city council, Allen wants the Goldsboro Police Department to be more engaged with residents, in an effort to build trust and relationships, through community policing.
"Everything's a priority to me," Allen said. "I hope we push forward on all fronts. I think we have a lot of momentum going into 2017, and if we can push forward, I think, we'll have a great 2017."
DISTRICT 1
Councilman Antonio Williams, District 1, is interested in connecting with companies in an effort to bring new jobs to the city.
He plans to work toward an improved quality of life for residents and would like to network with churches and other groups interested in offering programs that prepare youth for the job market.
In District 1, he wants improved roads and better lighting.
"Overall, I'd like to see better quality of life in 2017 as opposed to 2016," Williams said. "I'd also like to see more community policing. I think that's something we haven't implemented yet, and it's needed."
Williams also wants better insight into projects city staff are developing before completed plans are proposed to council.
"I'd like to see more transparency between the council and department heads," Williams said.
He'd also like to see more summer job opportunities, activities for youth and a greater understanding between people from different races, religions and economic backgrounds.
"I think we need more acceptance for people who don't look like you or look like me," he said. "We really need more diversity here."
DISTRICT 2
Councilman Bill Broadaway, District 2, would also like to see increased community policing and more officers hired within the police department.
The department, which has the capacity for 110 officers, continues to have nearly 20 vacancies, a trend that could change with new hires planned in January.
"I want to continue our community policing, and in order to do it well, we've got to get our police force up, if not at full strength than close to full strength," Broadaway said.
He's interested in developing the multisport complex, working to "nurture" the city's relationship with base officials and continued improvements in downtown.
"It's all about quality of life and anything we can do to improve quality of life benefits everyone," Broadaway said.
DISTRICT 3
Councilman Mark Stevens, District 3, is interested in finding ways to improve the job market by attracting technology jobs and others into the area.
"That's one of my main overall goals," Stevens said. "The (starting) salary for the tech industry is $35,000 in North Carolina. That's a massive job market."
He wants to better understand the role between state and local government, especially with state leadership transitioning under Gov.-elect Roy Cooper.
"Another goal of mine is to see how our state is changing and try to work as a municipality with the state with a new governor," Stevens said.
He plans to continue working with the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities and is interested in adding more signage and crosswalks to downtown. Stevens wants to continue building relationships and promoting unity.
"(I) just want everybody, in a sense, to be equal," Stevens said. "We're stronger together -- all people, all races. We're stronger together than we are apart.
"I have a positive outlook for the city. I'm trying to help make things better. I'm trying to find a way to bring jobs. If we all work together, we're going to be OK."
DISTRICT 4
Councilman Bevan Foster, District 4, positioned to be the council's 2017 mayor pro tem, said his main goal is to continue working to help residents throughout the city.
"My only goal is to continue running around the city helping people until I catch a Charley horse," Foster said.
DISTRICT 5
Councilman David Ham, District 5, places the highest priority on the police department and increasing public safety in 2017.
"We have put a lot of money into increasing salaries, cars, other equipment ...
"You can put cars (on the street). You can buy body cams and all the other equipment, but if you don't have a body to which to apply this new technology and equipment, then we haven't maximized the return on the dollars we spent.
"The main goal is to provide security to the residents of this city. The ultimate objective is to reduce crime and improve the sense of security for the residents of Goldsboro."
Ham also wants to see the council reach a decision on the future of the former W.A. Foster Center, a 1938 building with ties to African-American history in the city. The council will start reviewing business plan proposals in February from groups interested in taking ownership.
Ham wants to see additional improvements at Herman Park and the Herman Park Center.
"These are the big three," Ham said. "There are other things in the mill.
"We want to work towards recovering from the hurricane, the flash flood and our residents that were affected by that."
DISTRICT 6
The top goal for Councilman Gene Aycock, District 6, is to increase staffing levels at the Goldsboro Police Department and reduce crime.
"Police is definitely high on my list," Aycock said. "I don't know what we can to fix it. We've got to get our police department fully manned.
"It's a tough job. We have no problem filling fire spots, but we have a hard time filling police spots. We've still got work to do."
Aycock wants greater involvement from the public to help solve crimes. In 2016, 11 people were killed and seven of the homicides remain unsolved.
"I'd like to see more community involvement," Aycock said.
Aycock is also interested in seeing the construction and completion of the multisport complex and plans to take shape for the future of the Herman Park Center.
Aycock has been apprehensive of city investment in downtown development but is starting to see benefits from the work. He often sees downtown parking slots full during evening hours.
"I haven't seen that much activity in downtown since the '80s," Aycock said. "I was skeptical of spending the money downtown, but I can see that it's had a positive influence on downtown, and I'm seeing a little revitalization of things."