Aberdeen Mayoral and Town Council Candidate Interviews
The Pines Preservation Guild reached out the one candidate running for Aberdeen mayor and the three candidates running for Town Council in the upcoming November 2021 election.
Our organization believes it is important to understand how each candidate values the history and preservation of Aberdeen. These values signal how the candidate might view and vote on ordinances and city planning issues that directly impact the preservation of historic buildings and districts in Aberdeen.
The PPG has prepared a brief candidate survey with the following goals:
1-To educate our community about each candidate’s attitudes about preservation
2-To allow candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of local preservation issues
3-To introduce candidates unfamiliar with The PPG to our organization
The four candidates were sent our questions via email to respond to in writing. If a candidate’s name is not listed below, they either declined to comment or could not be reached.
Responses are provided in full, may be edited for clarity, and appear in order of response submission.
The publishing of these answers does not constitute an endorsement by The Pines Preservation Guild nor its officers.
Daniel Behnke
1.Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Aberdeen.
The town of Aberdeen is blessed with a very rich and vibrant history. As a town, we need to be finding ways to preserve that history while also building a bridge to the future and our growth as a town. I believe these two things do not need to be mutually exclusive. Downtown Aberdeen is the heart of the historic district and rightfully so, much of our historic preservation efforts have been concentrated there. We should continue to focus on the historic downtown district and radiate our efforts out from there.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Aberdeen’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
Within reason, the Town of Aberdeen should work with owners to be as flexible as we can in assisting them with their plans for saving or restoring a historical home or structure. We want to project Aberdeen as a municipality that is welcoming to historic preservationists and has a reputation of willingness to work with them within the confines of the rules to save or restore these historic structures. Additionally, any infill development plans within the historic district should complement the existing structures around it as much as possible to ensure visual continuity of our historic district. Finally, we should view new developments through the lens of long-term historic preservation, even when these potential developments fall outside of the boundaries of the traditional historic district. What will these new developments look like 50, 100, or 150 years from now? What type of development landscape do we want to leave to our future generations?
3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen?
I would absolutely support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen as long as it does not overburden or take away from the workload of current town staff. I would support the creation of this through potential grant opportunities and/or through corporate or non-profit partnerships.
4. What is your view on the role of Aberdeen’s local historic district? Would you support the expansion of the existing Aberdeen Historic District to include now historic properties not included when the district was created in 1991?
Aberdeen’s local historic district is unique and special to the Town. I do feel though that as a Town, we can do a better job of publicizing and marketing our historic district. While Aberdeen has a history that is unique to us and our Town, we can also better partner with our local neighboring municipalities to offer an overall Moore County history, while still focusing on what makes Aberdeen’s history unique and sets us apart from our neighboring villages and towns.
I would have to educate myself more on the benefits and/or consequences of expanding our current historic district as I do not feel I fully understand what the long term ramifications of that may be.
5. Would you support the establishment of a town capital specifically to fund the preservation of historic public spaces and infrastructure (i.e. steps, alleys, certain streetscapes, bridges, walls, trees, fences, curbs, streets, etc….)? Why or why not? If so, what size fund would you recommend?
I am not opposed to this idea on face value. I would need to know the details of the proposed fund and how it would be setup, funded, and maintained long term.
6. Would you support the establishment of a historic preservation tax abatement? This could be a 10-15 year abatement to incentivize historic preservation anywhere in the town. Why or why not?
Again, I would not be opposed to this idea but would need to know the details of it.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Aberdeen and why?
I am going to provide a very biased answer to this question. While not officially recognized as a historic building in Aberdeen, my fiancée and I purchased a home in Aberdeen that was built in 1904. We absolutely love this home and feel a great sense of responsibility to maintain it for the enjoyment of future generations.
Tim Marcham
1.Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen has had a prominent part in the historical growth of the Sandhills and Moore County. It provided both a resting point for those travelling South, as well as disembarkation for those riding the railroad South to avail of both warmer climes and seasons for golf. Part of its early industry was with the production of naval stores from the abundant pine trees; which was later followed by the production of tobacco and cotton, both of which now have nearly vanished.
What has been left for us to mind has been mainly the few homesteads and gracious homes, which are sadly being grabbed up by developers eager to paint the landscape with homes or commercial projects. Aberdeen’s Historic Preservation Committee, in conjunction with other boards and the Commissioners has done a great job in trying to keep Downtown District and prominent buildings in keeping with the history of the town.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Aberdeen’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
The Planning Department along with its enforcement of the revised Unified Development Ordinance, works well with the advice of the Historic Preservation Committee to ensure that identified buildings and neighborhoods will be maintained in the necessary character of their historic quality.
3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen?
The Historic Preservation Committee (HPC), along with the Planning Dept. Director should be the ones to develop any Historic Preservation Plan if such is deemed necessary.
4. What is your view on the role of Aberdeen’s local historic district? Would you support the expansion of the existing Aberdeen Historic District to include now historic properties not included when the district was created in 1991?
Aberdeen’s Historic District is the embodiment of what became the soul of a small town, which even now shows the importance of the railroad in its existence with a strategic north-south corridor and local lines connecting both East and West for both industry and passenger service. A future expansion of the Historic District might pose some logistical nightmares, as my thought would be to include some of the now dormant industrial areas, as they too become revitalized, although they might not be adjacent with the core District.
5. Would you support the establishment of a town capital specifically to fund the preservation of historic public spaces and infrastructure (i.e. steps, alleys, certain streetscapes, bridges, walls, trees, fences, curbs, streets, etc….)? Why or why not? If so, what size fund would you recommend?
I do not think specific capital funds need to be established for a town the size of Aberdeen, for I do not see any expansive projects that could not be funded as needed, such as the recent streetscapes and lighting on Main Street.
6. Would you support the establishment of a historic preservation tax abatement? This could be a 10-15 year abatement to incentivize historic preservation anywhere in the town. Why or why not?
Again, for a town the size of Aberdeen, and even if the Historic District was expanded in the future, I cannot foresee any project of such expanse that would benefit from any form of tax abatement.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Aberdeen and why?
My favorite historic building is the Union Station railroad station, with its classic design which served both passenger and freight service in its heyday. A very close second goes to the Page Memorial United Methodist Church with its copper dome.
Robert Farrell
Mr Farrell is running unopposed for Mayor of Aberdeen
We presented Mr Farrell, and all Aberdeen candidates, with the following same seven questions.
Mr. Farrell responded in a narrative format. His answer in his entirety follows the questions. Emphasis has been added.
1.Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Aberdeen.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Aberdeen’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen?
4. What is your view on the role of Aberdeen’s local historic district? Would you support the expansion of the existing Aberdeen Historic District to include now historic properties not included when the district was created in 1991?
5. Would you support the establishment of a town capital fund to pay for the preservation of historic public spaces and infrastructure (i.e. steps, alleys, certain streetscapes, bridges, walls, trees, fences, curbs, streets, etc….)? Why or why not? If so, what size fund would you recommend?
6. Would you support the establishment of a historic preservation tax abatement? This could be a 10-15 year abatement to incentivize historic preservation anywhere in the town. Why or why not?
7. What is your favorite historic building in Aberdeen and why?
The Town of Aberdeen has a Historic District in the downtown area with many homes and commercial buildings listed. The Town is currently placing metal historic markers on these structures as the original wooden ones affixed a number of years ago have deteriorated. The Town also has a Historic Preservation Committee of valued citizens that help maintain the integrity of this district. Aberdeen is also a member of the North Carolina Main Street Program and has grant money for businesses to upgrade or replace existing building facades in the downtown area. I support the efforts to preserve historic structures and I applaud the Town for being in the NC Main Street Program. I am not familiar with the historic preservation tax abatement program and would like to know more about it. I am a 3rd generation Aberdeen resident and my grandfather, R. G. Farrell, built the first brick store in downtown Aberdeen in 1900 and it is in the historic district. It is on the corner of Main and Sycamore Streets and is currently being renovated into a restaurant downstairs and office suites upstairs. That would make the Farrell Building my favorite historic structure in Aberdeen, along with many others. I also authored a historic picture book of old Aberdeen from 1900 to the year 2000. This effort was a love of mine to help new comers know the history of a great Moore County town of early Scottish heritage.
Wilma Laney
1.Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen has a Historic Preservation Commission that is involved in all matters related to the Historic District. I feel comfortable with the relationship with the Town of Aberdeen and the Historic Commission The Historic District gets the attention that is required to make it standout. The Downtown has been undergoing many improvements.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Aberdeen’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
I feel good with the working of the Town of Aberdeen with the Historic Preservation Commission. Of course I stay abreast to the workings of the historic district both downtown Aberdeen and the homes in the District. I would like to see the Historic Preservation Commission continue, the buildings continue to be maintained, and the history of Aberdeen be preserved. I would like to see the Aberdeen Historic Preservation Commission reach out to other Historic Preservation groups to learn things that they are doing.
3.Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen?
I would support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen.
4. What is your view on the role of Aberdeen’s local historic district? Would you support the expansion of the existing Aberdeen Historic District to include now historic properties not included when the district was created in 1991?
The Historic Preservation Commission and the Town should decide on the expansion of the District. As time goes by I believe there will be additions to the Historic District. I would support an expansion.
5. Would you support the establishment of a town capital fund to pay for the preservation of historic public spaces and infrastructure (i.e. steps, alleys, certain streetscapes, bridges, walls, trees, fences, curbs, streets, etc.….)? Why or why not? If so, what size fund would you recommend?
So far the Historic District appears to be well taken care of. If this should change I think Historic Preservation Commission and the town leaders should decide what is needed. If the need should arise that more
6. Would you support the establishment of historic preservation tax abatement? This could be a 10-15 year abatement to incentivize historic preservation anywhere in the town. Why or why not?
If the time comes to make this decision of additional tases, I believe the town leadership will make the right decision.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Aberdeen and why?
There is a home in Downtown Aberdeen on South Street, The Postmaster’s House. It is the oldest building in Downtown Aberdeen. It was built in 1880. A group called The Friends of The Postmaster’s House; a 501 c (3) not for profit organization was formed in 1989 for the upkeep of the house. Many volunteers joined and worked together to restore the house. The house now is rented for weddings, parties, baby showers, birthdays etc. We also have fundraisers. All money goes to the upkeep of the house. It is an old house that must be cared for. We have members that donate time and talents for the continued upkeep of the house. I am presently the President. It is a special house that is sitting up on the hill on South Street overlooking downtown Aberdeen.
