“District 7 needs more roads, less crime, and affordable taxes.”

League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Voter Guide Questionnaire
(replied August 10, 2007)

Sponsored by League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Sept. 11 Primary and Nov. 6, 2007, General Elections

Direct any questions on this voter guide to Beth Springston, LWV-CM,
(704) 661-4425

City of Charlotte Races - Online Voter Guide

Candidate Name:

Warren Cooksey

Phone Number:

+1 (704) 347-0420

Email Address:

warren@warrencooksey.com

Current Occupation:

Finance Officer

Education – Highest Degree:

B.A. in history

Three (3) most important organizations you belong to:

As a result of a focus on work and the Planning Commission for the past few years, I’m not currently an active member of any organizations other than the Mecklenburg Republican Party.

Three (3) most important accomplishments:

1. Helped create the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
2. Served as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission
3. Helped maintain the success of the Civics 101 program of the League of Women Voters as the teacher for City government

What is the biggest challenge you see for the City of Charlotte in the next two years?

Charlotte’s biggest challenge is to address traffic congestion with the limited resources available to us. With or without the transit tax, Charlotte needs a more aggressive approach to increasing the number of lanes available, whether by widening existing roads or building new ones. However, we must recognize the significance of the existing tax burden when planning that approach.

What are the top three things you wish to achieve if elected to serve?

1. Accelerate the city’s road building program by allocating more funds—first by using growth revenue, then by looking at less essential programs—and by increasing the value of reducing congestion when prioritizing projects
2. Help improve Charlotte’s relationship with the General Assembly in order to ensure that state government properly addresses the core needs of the city that are state responsibilities
3. Be a responsible steward of taxpayers’ money

As an elected official, how will you reconcile the differing priorities and positions of all your constituents?

Unquestionably, elected officials have a responsibility to represent the interests of their districts. However, I believe that people are elected to office first and foremost because voters trust their judgment regarding all the issues that are likely to come before them. Elected officials are decision makers, not mouthpieces. They must decide according to the dictates of their consciences and the lessons of their experiences, then communicate the reasons for their decisions to their constituents. Those who do so well should be re-elected; those who do not should be replaced.

Candidate’s web site URL:

www.warrencooksey.com