Name as it appears on the ballot: Cynthia Hamilton
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Age as of Election Day: 74
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Retired, Human Resources
Best phone number and email for voters to reach you. Website and campaign social media:
- 915-929-2081; blumenfrau@msn.com
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’m running for Hope Mills Commissioner to make a change in our community. I am aware of the unnecessary spending resulting in higher taxes in Hope Mills that have forced some of our citizens to consider selling their homes. I am particularly focused on the fact that the elderly, disabled, homeless, and single parent families are going to suffer if the town doesn’t stop the spending, construction, and help the citizens of Hope Mills. I have extensive experience in Financial Management and Human Resources. I am also serving on the Board of Adjustment in Hope Mills which is primarily built around zoning.
2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing Hope Mills? How will you address them as a commissioner?
Infrastructure, Unnecessary Spending and Economic Growth. One of the things that I feel needs to be addressed immediately is the streets and sidewalks in Hope Mills. There are potholes, streets that are constantly flooding due to drains that haven’t been serviced in years, and sidewalks that are non-existent, cracked or uneven. The budget needs to be thoroughly reviewed and items that are “want’s” instead of “needs” need to be eliminated or drastically reduced to keep our tax base where it needs to be. Events need to be limited to duration and food does not need to be given away at each event. Training also needs to be drastically reduced as it doesn’t seem to have any benefit on what the Town of Hope Mills Needs. Economic Growth needs to be very carefully researched and discussed prior to any annexations, or construction in the town of Hope Mills. I feel that all commercial businesses need to be located outside the city limits. As far as recreational facilities, it’s not feasible to construct a multi-million dollar facility on the Golfview Greenway. We need to keep our greenspace the way it is, there isn’t much left in Hope Mills. The citizens have said “no” numerous times and my vote would be no! There are no funds available to build this, no money from the state, and going the route of a bond is something that will only increase taxes for the citizens. Again, my vote is going to be no!
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 the best thing the Board of Commissioners has done a great job forming the Homeless Committee. This has been a problem in Hope Mills for a very long time, and I hope this time it works. The most important decision that the board made that I would have handled differently is going to 4 year staggered terms for the board. Once again the citizens have said no to this, but the board decided not to put this on the ballot for the citizens to vote for. I feel this was self-serving with no regard for 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?
I would definitely review the budget and drastically reduce the “want’s” while making sure that the needs are appropriately addressed. The services in Hope Mills are vital to the citizens and we need to keep them. I feel there are many areas that need to be reduced without compromising the services for the town. This will require going through the budget line-by-line.
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 disagree with the town changing the Charter to 4 year staggered terms. The citizens have voted “no” to this during one of our election years, and are continuing to say “no!” Myself as well as many citizens have said that their voices are not heard, and that decisions have been made regardless of what the citizens have said at the meetings. I believe that we need to go back to the 2 year terms, and it will be my intent to ask my fellow board members to change the charter back to 2 year terms. When we elect citizens to serve on the Board of Commissioners, we expect those citizens to be qualified to do the job. We expect them to pick up right where the last board left off, if they truly feel that’s the best way to address any of the decision that were previously made. Nothing will be lost by electing a new board.
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.
We need to be open and honest with all businesses and also include the citizens in the decisions to bring in new businesses. The town needs to clean up certain areas in town to make it more attractive to businesses. This doesn’t mean that the town needs to spend millions in landscaping, we need to take care of what we have and require homeowners and businesses to maintain their areas in our town. Fayetteville has done a lot of good things in their town to help manage their growth. They research and discuss all projects and decide the best and smart way to promote growth in their town keeping the financial aspects forefront in their decisions.
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?
Hope Mills Board of Commissioners has formed a Homeless Committee that meets regularly and is diligently working to help the homeless. My recommendation would be to also provide education to the homeless to help them gain employment. Providing affordable housing would also be on my list to help the homeless in Hope Mills.