WYDaily sent an identical questionnaire to each candidate running for James City County Board of Supervisors.
Michael Hipple, a 55-year-old Class A Licensed Contractor, is the incumbent candidate for the Powhatan District Supervisor of James City County.
Hipple’s answers are unedited and presented below.
The election takes place Nov. 7.
Read a completed questionnaire from the other candidate for Powhatan District, Joseph Swanenburg.
What’s the one sentence that properly describes James City County?
An up-and-coming community in a position of strength that caters to each and every citizen in our growing community.
What are the two biggest opportunities in James City County?
Now that we have solidified our water “needs” it will allow the staff to go forward in seeking Economic development.
Maintain high standards and our quality of life which would be associated with our strategic plan.
What are the two biggest challenges in James City County?
Our partisan politics at the local level, within James City County.
Being one of the fastest growing communities in Hampton Roads we need to continue to push forward on transportation. Continuing to enhance and build our infrastructure within James city county as our population increases.
In 2010 James City County’s population had roughly 13,800 people aged 65+. In 2016 that number increased to more than 18,000 people aged 65+. How are you going to help the county and Greater Williamsburg to prepare for a rapidly aging population?
We are currently engaging our team to plan for the future, using the Internet and other meeting sites to keep our aging population informed on what we provide in services.
What are you going to do to help bring younger folks here?
What I am doing, along with my fellow board members, is “providing” the opportunity for young folks to gather and come together to enjoy the rich life in James City County has the offer. Looking into avenues to enhance the economic development to draw a better paying jobs into our community.
More than 12,000 people in Greater Williamsburg are living in poverty. More than 5,500 of those people live in James City County, according to U.S. Census estimates. How are you going to help bring better paying jobs to the county and to the area?
With my position on the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, I am able to bring more road projects into James City County to help employ more citizens.
I am currently working with Thomas Nelson Community College to provide more education and the ability for more citizens to find jobs to enhance the quality of their life.
Stormwater issues have been at the forefront of budget discussions and Board of Supervisor’s discussions for several years now. County stormwater officials identified several communities that lack the drainage infrastructure needed to deal with runoff. How would you direct the county to manage drainage issues?
I have done so by approving a budget that has allowed for 15 stormwater neighborhood projects, to be completed within James City County.
The James City Service Authority is exploring alternative water sources in response to declining water levels in underground aquifers. One option is a multi-million deal JCSA first signed in 2008 to purchase water from Newport News Waterworks. Another would be the construction of a desalination plant on the Chickahominy River, and another option is direct-water injection into the Potomac Aquifer. Which of these options will provide for the county’s needs in light of a depleting groundwater supply?
Two of the three options you have cited will create a long-term water solution. The desalination plant on the Chickahominy River, at a cost of roughly $120,000,000, will be part of the solution for the future water needs of James City County. The swift program to inject water into the aquifer will be the second additional solution for future water needs. This will in turn place needed water into our aquifer, here in James City County. As our portfolio starts to decline during the upcoming years, the need to pay for the cost of the desalinization plant will put us in the position of not having to raise taxes in order to pay for this new facility.
Would you look to renegotiate the deal James City County has with Newport News Waterworks? Why or why not?
If I had been on the Board Of Supervisors when this was voted on, I would not have voted for this option because we have not received anything after spending $25 million. We have the right to purchase 2,million gallons of water per day at a higher cost than we charge in the James City County service authority. My job as a member of the Board Of Supervisors, is to provide the best quality water, at the lowest possible cost to our great citizens and businesses within James City County.
James City County has sought state grants from the Virginia Department of Transportation to help fund some of its major transportation initiatives and road projects. Which transportation issues do you think should be priorities for the county and what will your role be in improving transportation regionally?
As chairman of the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, I have worked hard to bring transportation projects to James City County. By spending 3.7 million on transportation in James City County, we have been able to receive 100,000,000+ in dedicated transportation projects within James City County.
The Board of Supervisors has discussed for years whether or not supervisors should be elected in a staggered-election-cycle. How long should a supervisor’s term be? How often should they be elected e.g. a staggered-election-cycle or a uniform-election-cycle?
As long as a Board Of Supervisors member is willing to run and be elected by the citizens of James City County, I feel that person should serve the citizens.
I feel staggered term election cycles work better for the citizens, allowing continuity within the board, to continue doing the work of the citizens.
What sort of experience are you going to bring to the county?
As board chair for two years, I feel I have brought unity and collaboration to the board room. My knowledge as a volunteer firefighter for 30+ years has given me the ability to understand what our EMS first responders firefighters and police do to enhance our allies in James City County.
Owning my own business within James City County, gives me the leadership ability to work with my other board members, to provide the best outcome for our citizens. Being part of the strategic plan for James City County, allows us to focus on the future needs for our citizens. With four years of experience behind me, I am able to lead, understand and work closely with our citizens and employees to build a better, stronger James City County.
The military and federal government are preparing for sea-level rise and increasingly volatile weather. Should the county government do more to prepare: increase environmental regulations (stormwater) or require new homebuilding standards?
We are currently working hand-in-hand with transportation planning and our own stormwater management team, to look at all regulations associated with stormwater. When it comes to the environment and stormwater, James City County is a leader, protecting our environment.
Should recipients of social welfare or tax relief be tested for drugs? Why or why not?
This is a question we do not deal with at a county level.
Should the county consider increasing taxes on its wealthiest residents to pay for more social programs? Why or why not?
The county tax rate is adequate for the services we are currently providing to our citizens.
Should property rights ever trump an individual’s gun rights? Why or why not?
This is a question we do not deal with at a county level.
Should gerrymandering or political redistricting be made into a non-partisan process? Why or why not?
Yes, but how do we determine what is non-partisan?
What are your top three policy goals?
- Transportation
- Education
- Fiscal responsibility
Are you a member of any political organizations? Which political organizations are you a member of and what have they taught you?
No.
Will you be participating in any forums or public debates? When and where?
Yes, on October 12th, league of women voters.
What is a question you wish we had asked?
What have you enjoyed the most about being a Board Of Supervisor
My answer would be: “The ability to serve the citizens of the greatest community in the country, James City County.
