WYDaily sent an identical questionnaire to each candidate for the Powhatan seat on the James City County Board of Supervisors. Michael Hipple Sr. is the Republican nominee for the seat, and he faces Democratic nominee Bob Mandala. Hipple’s answers are presented here. The election takes place Nov. 5.
View a completed questionnaire from Mandala here.
1. Can you share your age, family and professional background history?
Can you share your age- 51
Family- Family with wife and 7 children.
Professional background history- Graduate Lafayette High School; Graduated 2 years of Vocational school; Firefighter I, II and III; Firefighter instructor I; Hazmat; Graduate of Leadership Historic Triangle Class of 2009.
2. What are your opinions regarding growth in the county? Are there areas within your district you’d like to see protected or developed?
What are your opinions regarding growth in the county?
We have to ensure that what growth we do have improves our community. Many of our largest neighborhoods were not here when I was attending Lafayette High School. Some growth is going to be inevitable, but through adherence to the Comprehensive Plan and by employing predictability in land use, we can ensure that the growth we do experience benefits our community.
We should protect the Forge Road area in my district and place a special emphasis on retaining our rural areas. Those areas are essential to the “hometown” character of our county. Commercial development should be focused on those areas best equipped to absorb it, including some portions of Route 60.
3. How well do you think the board members communicate with each other and with the public? What policy changes, if any, would you make to improve communication with the public? What leadership skills do you possess that would better unite the board?
How well do you think the board members communicate with each other and with the public?
The current Board majority does not communicate with the other members, often making decisions without regard to citizen input. Worse, they are actually trying to find ways to restrict or diminish those members of the public who come to address the Board.
What policy changes, if any, would you make to improve communication with the public?
Change starts at the top and by setting an example. I will treat all with respect – regardless of whether or not I agree with them. That alone will be a positive change.
What leadership skills do you possess that would better unite the board?
As a leader of the Volunteer Fire Department (President) and an Assistant Chief, I have demonstrated an ability to lead people in the board room – and into fires that can kill you and your men or the people you are fighting to save. That is leadership under pressure with only a moment to make the right decision.
4. County employees received a 3 percent raise this year after a five-year wage freeze. What is your assessment of morale?
County employee compensation should be competitive with what other localities are paying, to ensure we retain the best people. Morale is affected by leadership, and the current Board strife is not a morale booster.
5. What challenges do you feel the county will face in the coming years? What do you consider the county’s hurdles to overcome these challenges, and how will you face those obstacles?
What challenges do you feel the county will face in the coming years?
We should anticipate fewer available resources from the federal and state governments, primarily because the United States is nearly $17 trillion in debt and that will ultimately result in funding cuts to both the state and its localities. We are also dealing with an economy that continues to be sluggish, affecting businesses and employment.
What do you consider the county’s hurdles to overcome these challenges, and how will you face those obstacles?
We are going to need to prioritize and more effectively plan – for the long term – our spending. We will need to do so while maintaining a balanced budget and keeping taxes low. We need to anticipate not only the fiscal challenges of the next few years, but of the next 20 or 30 years.
6. Talk about the regional goals you would like to see reached during the next four years and how James City County would benefit from them.
We need to initiate a long-term plan with 20, 30, and 40-year goals, and determine how best to reach them. Regionally, tourism is always going to be vital, and cooperative efforts for tourism are required to maximize the value of the dollars we invest in attracting visitors. We are sitting on a gold mine that people want to see. Look at sporting events hosted by James City County.
Promote James City County as a destination to see. Make James City County friendly again for visitors to enjoy and spend money at our local establishments. Build a wave of excitement across Virginia as a place you need to visit. Our town; James City County.
