Mike Woodard, candidate for Durham mayor, takes your questions

A pivotal election is underway in Durham, with voters choosing a new mayor and filling three City Council seats this fall.

Eight people are competing for mayor.

Early voting in the primary runs through Oct. 7 and Primary Day is Oct. 10.

The top two mayoral candidates will proceed to the general election in November, and the winner will have a two-year term.

We collected questions from residents across Durham to help readers get to know the candidates.

Mike Woodard

Name: Mike Woodard

Age: 64

Occupation: Senator, NC General Assembly

Website: mikewoodard.com

Are we paying people competitively and keeping our promises to our workers?

- East Durham resident Aidil Ortiz

No. My top priority as mayor will be to thoroughly review the administration’s proposed pay plan and review other relevant salary and benefit data, and then implement a competitive and equitable system of compensation that keeps the city’s promises to its workers and provides the city a necessary tool for attracting and retaining top talent.

Do you have any experience that helps you understand development in Durham? How do you plan to get more affordable units in the city?

- Planning commissioner Zuri Williams

I served on the City Council for seven years and was a member of the Joint City-County Planning Committee all seven years. As chair of JCCPC, I convened two important task forces that proposed significant changes to the Unified Development Ordinance. During my service in the state Senate, I have served on the Agriculture-Environment and Transportation committees, where most proposed land-use legislation is reviewed and revised before full Senate consideration.

Market forces are driving housing supply. However, the city can work in a broad-based coalition to provide more affordable options. I’ve worked actively to remove barriers that have limited those options, like accessory dwelling units, density, and workforce housing.

We should focus on workforce housing for working residents such as firefighters, law enforcement, teachers, other government employees, and other middle-income families.

I will work with my Council colleagues, city departments, nonprofit agencies, and the private sector to continue developing ways to protect Durham from gentrification that drives people from their homes. One strategy is helping current residents repair and renovate their homes so they can stay in place and maintain value, especially our senior and our long-time residents. Another strategy should be to continue increasing density in our urban neighborhoods so potential homeowners will be closer to services and amenities they desire.

Because inclusionary zoning is not allowed under North Carolina law, local governments have limited tools in including affordable/workforce housing in the zoning process. However, the Council has done a good job requesting support for affordable housing from developers. I would work to continue these requests.

This year there was an effort in the General Assembly to develop a statute to offer local governments the ability to create workforce housing more easily. The proposal had flaws, and I worked hard to stop it without more work. I convened a working group to develop a better proposal, and I hope to continue working with that group after I leave the Senate. This idea has promise.

As Durham grows more dense, how do we get away from the classic American model of car-oriented development? Are there any policies that you support that can keep us from becoming another Atlanta or Dallas?

- Downtown resident Nirav Patel

To support more dense development, the City will need policies for:

• Transportation — We must have a public transit system that remains free to riders, is more accessible to all residents, and connects riders to the jobs and services they need.

• Businesses and Services — In the denser urban neighborhoods, the City must work with broad range of stakeholders to ensure that necessary businesses and services are nearby: grocery stores, pharmacies and medical offices, recreation, and many others. Durham has had some success in this effort, but still has a lot more to do to be successful.

What policies do you support for implementing safer streets and reducing car dependency locally and regionally?

- Stadium Heights resident Nick Roberts

Durham has pursued many safer streets projects, and the number of those has increased in recent years. I would continue to support implementation of additional improvements, particularly in our lower-wealth neighborhoods.

I am also interested in pursuing the city’s ability to offer new infrastructure bonds for sidewalks and other pedestrian amenities, along with traffic calming methods.

What will you do to support the mental health needs of everyday Durham residents, especially thousands of young people in our public school systems?

- Hillside High School senior Isaiah Palmer

While most of the governmental authority and responsibility for behavioral health rests with county and state agencies, the city can assist with this critical public health issue — and actually has.

One concern the city is addressing is responding with safe, non-threatening care when residents are in crisis. The city’s HEART program is a good start to providing that care, and I support expanding HEART to more neighborhoods and with an increased schedule. Additionally, the city has provided and partnered on various wrap-around services.

Another space where the City can play a role is assisting in providing safe and sustainable housing options for residents facing behavioral health challenges.

In your vision for the city, what role does public education play and how does that connect to economic development, public safety and community health?

- Fayetteville Street corridor resident Erika Wilkins

Public education at all levels — from pre-K through college/university to adult and career retraining — is essential to an economically viable and healthy community. Employers are attracted to North Carolina and Durham because of our strong, varied educational offerings. Bringing these good jobs — and preparing our residents for them — means Durham people can secure good-paying jobs with future opportunities.

On the subject of alleged Clean Water Act violations in Falls Lake and its tributaries: How did we get here and who should be held responsible? Who is going to pay for the creek restoration and environmental damage?

- Southeast Durham resident Pam Andrews

The allegations of Clean Water Act violations will be litigated, and both the facts and damages will be determined by a court. It is clear that the extraordinarily high levels of sediment and turbidity are the result of the rapid increase in development in southeast Durham County. If the court determines that the developers failed to take adequate measures to mitigate run off, then the developers should be responsible for the cost of creek restoration and other damages.

How have you seen Durham evolve in your time here, and what’s one thing you’ll have the power to change if elected?

- The News & Observer

This is nearly impossible to answer in 100 words or less, so I’ll mention the sheer growth in Durham. In just 10 years, Durham has grown from the 83rd largest city in the country to the 71st. At this pace, we are likely to move into the top 50 over the next decade. This presents Durham with both great opportunities and significant challenges. How our elected officials — local, state, and federal — address continued growth is the critical issue we face.

An elected City Council member or mayor really has no “power” to change things singularly. Their influence lies in their ability to work together as a team among themselves, with the city’s administration, with other elected officials, and, most importantly, the residents they represent.

To find polling places and full details on voting, visit the Board of Elections at dcovotes.com or 919-560-0700.