Name as it appears on the ballot: Lisa F. Tremmel
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Age as of Election Day: 68
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Retired Banker
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1. Give us your elevator pitch in 200 words or less. Why are you running for this office? What makes you the most qualified candidate?
I am running for Commissioner because for too long, the voices of the citizens of Hope Mills have not been heard. As a Commissioner, our primary responsibility is to serve the community and incorporate residents’ feedback into our decisions. For example, a recent proposal to extend terms to four years was approved without community support. If elected, I will ensure that constituents’ voices are prioritized in our initiatives. In a town of 18,000 people, I know that not everyone will be happy with decisions made. But I will listen and vote with the majority of the citizens. Working together, I believe we can restore the unique appeal of Hope Mills. I believe my career in banking has equipped me with valuable skills in public engagement and problem-solving, which I intend to utilize as a Commissioner to drive positive change in our community.
2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing Hope Mills? How will you address them as mayor or as a commissioner?
One of the biggest issues facing Hope Mills is the latest tax increase. Most homeowners are facing at least a 60% increase. This is unacceptable. The budget needs to be looked at-line by line. Needs are to be prioritized over wants. Essential services must be prioritized but scrutinized to see if there is any wasteful spending. Another issue is the unfettered growth of housing developments and apartment units. I believe we need a moratorium on this type of growth until the infrastructure can catch up. Established neighborhoods should not have their peace and tranquility destroyed just to put up cookie-cutter housing. And lastly, our zoning laws need to be looked at and updated as well. Spaces needed for industrial development can be set aside near the new 295 junction. Housing developers need to be more responsible in that when they build, there needs to be ordinances stating that so many trees need to be saved or replanted. Yards need to be larger. Landscaping needs to be aesthetically done. Working together, we can see Hope mills thrive!
3. What’s the best or most important thing the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the board should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
I believe one of the most important things they have done is establish the Hope Mills Homeless Advisory Committee. There is a growing homeless population in Hope Mills and we need to look into how we can assist and provide resources to give them a hand up. This Committee is bringing awareness to and curating solutions for the homeless in Hope Mills. A decision I believe the Board handled incorrectly is the vote to change terms to four years. By a vote of 3-2, the Board took the decision out of the hands of the citizenry. I believe strongly that this decision belongs in the hands of the citizens of Hope Mills and should have been placed on the ballot in November. This was approved without the support of the citizens of Hope Mills.
4. With the recent county tax revaluation, property taxes have gone up for many people. If elected, what would you do to address concerns from Hope Mills residents about higher tax bills while maintaining town services?
The budget needs to be looked at-line by line. Wasteful spending needs cut out. For example, is it really necessary to send Hope Mills staff and commissioners to out-of-town seminars? The cost is too much considering homeowners are deciding how to try and pay the exorbitant increase in taxes. Has no one ever heard of Zoom? If the seminars are so important, why not attend them over Zoom? It seems like it is a mini vacation for staff and Commissioner. We need to take a hard look at our essential services. All you need do is take a drive around town to see that our streets are not being maintained. The landscaping on town-owned roads is out of hand. Where are the current employees that should be taking care of these things? What are they doing in a daily basis? Each department needs to be looked at to find wasteful spending. Individual households must adjust when increases in food, gas, clothing, and taxes occur. It’s about time the town becomes more responsible with spending and cuts the budget so that the citizens aren’t unduly burdened.
5. The town board recently voted to establish four-year terms for the mayor and commissioners. Do you agree or disagree with this decision to move away from two-year terms, and why? If you disagree, what do you intend to do about it, if elected?
I strongly disagree. With two year terms, the citizens can remove a Commissioner if it is felt that they are not doing the job the majority wants. They aren’t “stuck” with someone for four years. I believe this question needs places on the ballot and I would push for that to be done.
6. How will you work to attract and retain new businesses and other development to Hope Mills? Name another municipality you believe has made smart decisions about sustainable growth and development, and describe what it has done that could be implemented in Hope Mills.
Businesses need to know that the town has the infrastructure in place to handle whatever traffic increase will come about with their coming to Hope Mills. The Board and staff need to work with NCDOT on problem areas in the town and get the roads maintained and built to handle all of the new growth that is currently planned. Perhaps new businesses can be offered tax reductions for the first year that they are established in the town. We need to showcase the workforce available. The new WAWA Travel Center had 1800 applicants for 50 positions. We have the people that want to work. We need to find ways to bring that to the attention of businesses so that they know we can accommodate them with employees.
7. Nonprofits are seeing homeless encampments popping up in Hope Mills. What is needed to tackle homelessness in town, and how would you work to implement these solutions?
Real solutions need to be brought to the forefront. Alms House currently helps to feed and clothe the homeless population. We need to find ways as a town to support their efforts. If that means setting aside money in the budget, then that is what we need to do. I don’t believe a tax increase is needed. Common sense budgeting can help to bring much-needed tax dollars to this area of concern.