Name as it appears on the ballot: Bryant Kelly Warren Jr.
Full legal name, if different: Same
Date of birth: March 21, 1950
Home address: 109 Holt Street, Hillsborough North Carolina 27278
Mailing address, if different from home: Same
Campaign Web site: N/A
Occupation & employer: City Carrier USPS
Home phone: 919-732-1115
Work phone: 919-280-3611
E-mail: bryantkellywarrenjr@embarqmail.com
1) What do you believe are the most important issues facing Hillsborough? If elected, what are your top priorities in addressing those issues?
a. Traffic: Reduce Traffic through town.
b. Growth: Manage growth conscientiously
c. Annexation: Town requirements
d. Meetings: Hold informational meetings in different parts of town
e. Entertainment: Try to attract a movie theater, bowling alleys and other activities to alleviate having to go to other cities.
2) What is there in your record as a public official or other experience that demonstrates your ability to be effective on the Town Board? This might include career or community service; but please be specific about its relevance to this office.
I served six years on the Hillsborough Planning Board, have served six years on the Hillsborough Parks and Recreation Board 6 years, and currently serve on the Hillsborough Small Rail Station Task Force. These tenures have given me a broad familiarity with the issues facing Hillsborough, and I believe qualify me to serve on the Town Board.
3) How do you define yourself politically and how does your political philosophy show itself in your past achievements and present campaign platform?
I don’t consider myself to be political, I just want to serve the best interests of the town and the town’s citizens.
4) Identify a principled stand you might be willing to take if elected that you suspect might cost you some popularity points with voters.
Locating a north to south transportation corridor to eliminate the traffic congestion through town. We do not need a major 4-lane thoroughfare or bypass, but a 2-lane road would help. This is an issue that has divided citizens in Hillsborough, but I believe we must face up to it soon to foster responsible growth while preserving the town’s character.
5) Why do you think there are so few candidates for Hillsborough office?
Hillsborough is a small community and people are very busy.
What can be done to better energize the public into caring and serving?
Let the public know that their opinions/comments are important to town officials. At times in the past, that has not always been evident.
6) What kinds of development projects would interfere with the town’s plans for its future?
All developments will impact the town’s plans for the future. It’s going to be up to the town officials to carefully judge the potential impact, for good or ill, of each and every project under consideration, keeping in mind the importance of balancing concern for preserving Hillsborough’s unique qualities while encouraging beneficial economic development and reasoned growth.
7) What are your hopes for the Hillsborough Riverwalk project?
I am a full and enthusiastic supporter of the Riverwalk project, and will do everything possible to keep it going and see it completed.
Have they changed given the state of the economy?
Not at this time. We are still trying to proceed with organizing plans and approaches so that it can be built in the near future.
8) How will you manage growth? What is the best strategy given this inevitability?
This is an important consideration, especially since there is a chance that UNC will build a hospital in Hillsboroughthat would generate more development as it progresses. It will be up to the Town Board to make sure these developments will benefit Hillsborough and Hillsborough’s citizens.
9) How does Hillsborough fit in with surrounding communities?
Hillsborough is the oldest and most historical of the local communities. This means that the town has unique needs, and can offer visitors a unique experience.
How will you work with colleagues in those areas to promote and support each other?
By cooperating and collaborating with officials in the other communities, we can ensure that Hillsborough will continue to be a desirable place to live, work, and play. We need to have connectivity with the other communities for walking, biking, and riding. Hillsborough has a good Connectivity Plan for Hillsborough, with suggestions to connect to the surrounding communities. We need to talk with Transportation officials to connect bus routes in and out of Hillsborough to the neighboring communities.
10) What’s your opinion of the town’s incentivized retirement plan? Can the town afford it?
No opinion due to this was a Orange County Plan for their employees not a Hillsborough town plan.
