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you do differently?
Doughtie described the city’s financial situation as critical. “I did
not realize how critical it was until I attended the retreat. Right now
it’s not good. We don’t see the end of the tunnel. It’s going to be a
while before revenues increase.”
Doughtie said he would need more information before delving into what
to do differently than what council did to deal with the situation. “I
don’t know what you would do differently. Be diligent in searching for
new sources of revenue. Increasing revenues is the key right now.”
2. Give us your perspective of the theater and Carolina Crossroads. Did
you support the original project? What do you think went wrong? What
would you have done differently?
“Anytime you’re spending a large amount of taxpayer’s dollars you would
want to have their support from the get-go. A bond referendum is a way
to gauge citizen input.”
Doughtie was not in favor of the theater project. “I always err on the
conservative side.”
He described the scenario surrounding the theater’s initial failure
like a perfect storm. “It required just a little bit of everything to
go right. Like a perfect storm, everything did go wrong. The economy
went south. We had the fiasco with Mr. (Randy) Parton when he made an
unprofessional appearance. The businesses (at Carolina Crossroads)
envisioned backed out. In retrospect we have the theater now so I
support Mr. (Lafayette) Gatling. The city needs to support him.”
3. Do you approve of the city’s current solution to the theater debt
and problems — a lease-purchase agreement deal with the Gatlings. Would
you have liked to have seen a different choice or path?
“Based on what I know, I think Mr. Gatling’s option is the best we
could have hoped for. Basically we’re getting all the money back. I did
not particularly like the offer from (Calvin) Gilmore. It would have
been more revenue going out from the city.”
4. Over the past few years, the city council dug deeper and deeper into
the cash reserves each year to pay for programs and raises while
balancing the budget and not raising taxes. The result was when the
theater debacle occurred the cupboard was almost bare. What do you
think of the council’s performance?
Doughtie said from his years on the school board he has seen fund
balances go up and down. “I’m an advocate of paying people competitive
wages and keeping taxes in line. We have to make sure to put some away.
“I think city council made the decision they felt like was in the best
interest of the citizens. Unfortunately, it did not turn out the way
their vision expected it to. We can always look back and see how we
would do things differently. It’s very different when you’re sitting
with council in the decision-making chair.”
5. What are your thoughts on open vs. closed city council meetings and
transparency in government?
From his experience on the school board, Doughtie said his
understanding is you can discuss personnel and student records in
closed session. Minutes, he said, are extremely important, and the
requirement any action related to the closed session must be taken in
open session lets the public know how you voted.
6. Explain your vision of the mayor’s role? A city councilman? The city
manager?
For mayor, “I think of the word ‘ambassador,’ promoting the good things
about the city. The mayor is not to be micromanaging. Not pointing
fingers, but a mayor can become too involved, acting in the capacity of
city manager.
City council hires a quality city manager and sets policy for the city.
The city manager hires department heads who report to the city manager.
That person needs to be well versed in finance and personnel issues.”
7. What are the three biggest problems facing our city?
Short-term finances, inadequate housing for many people and “lack of
trust from citizens in their government.”
8. What can you do as a city councilman in solving these challenges?
“It goes back to the word ‘ambassador.’ The mayor’s role is not to
micromanage. You can’t have an answer to everyone’s question but you
can be a source of information for the people and be knowledgeable and
point citizens in the right direction.”
Doughtie said many citizens don’t understand how city government works.
“As mayor you become a source of information. If I don’t have the
answer I will find out.”
He said the city must continue to work with the Housing Authority and
must seek grant money.
The city’s Web page needs to be more interactive, with more detailed
information on services and finances.
9. Do you understand how the Main Street program works? Do you support
its implementation? What do you think it will accomplish?
“I think I have a good, overall understanding I gained from the
meeting. The only thing I didn’t like was adding the tax. Some of the
merchants are struggling. Other than that I support it. If it is
successful I think it can create a sense of community ownership in the
city.”
10. What part of the city needs the most help?
“Short-term the budget. We need to address housing. To have the
greatest main street in North Carolina but have crime and violence on
both sides no one is going to come to it.”
Bonus question:
How many city council meetings have you attended in the last year?
Six meetings. One of the city council meeting nights is held when the
school board meets.
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