Who is LaToya Rivers, Huntersville Board of Commissioners candidate?

Name: LaToya Rivers

Age: 42

Campaign website or social media page: latoyarivers.com

Occupation: Program Integrity Investigator with Mecklenburg County DSS

Education: Masters Degree in Public Administration

Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought):

No.

Please list your highlights of civic involvement.

Chair of 501c3 NonProfit organization Pottstown Heritage Group, member of the NROC committee for Habitat for Humanities

What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?

Political Accomplishment: bringing awareness to existing communities within the Town of Huntersville that have been overlooked and underserved.

Traffic is an issue in Huntersville while a few critical road projects, such as the widening of N.C. 73, have been delayed by NCDOT. How would you tackle the town’s traffic problem?

Build and form a better relationship with our CATS bus service, so that we can add more bus routes in our town. Also we can promote more car pooling and ride share services.

What are your ideas about how the town should recruit and retain more police officers specifically? And all town employees more broadly?

The Town of Huntersville should consider creating a mentorship program that teaches and trains youth starting in high school and community college level that are interested in becoming police officers in the future. Also, the Town of Huntersville, should create a more attractive plan that includes bonuses and increase in pay. Not to mention, paid training programs that will ensure our officers are obtaining the tools needed in order to better protect and serve our Town of Huntersville. Invest in those service workers that provide service and time to the Town of Huntersville.

Huntersville has experienced rapid population growth over the last few decades with the approval of hundreds of new homes. Do you think the town should control growth in some way or keep expanding? Why?

The town of Huntersville should control the growth. Why, because over development has been the reason for some existing community residents being priced out of their homes that have been in families for generations. I believe currently, the Town of Huntersville has an Affordable Housing Task Force, and it is comprised of residents and developers. However, it is imperative that the Town of Huntersville, creates an Affordable Housing Community that would be beneficial to our working class residents, as well as our work force community residents. Also, the Town of Huntersville needs to consider reinvesting back into its existing communities that have been overlooked and underserved. Some of these communities still lack proper infrastructure and traffic calming devices, but there is an increase in traffic in these communities. It is important that our town considers all residents, while making decisions to create developments catered to Affordable Housing.

Why should voters choose you over others who are in the race?

I want to serve as a voice for Huntersville communities and build trust back in our town government. Also, it is important to create a more diverse and inclusive town board. I am a native to the Town of Huntersville, and I currently serve my community, the historic Pottstown Community, by revitalizing, restoring and preserving the history this community has brought to the Town of Huntersville. It is time for us to have a seat at the table.