Aberdeen Town Council Candidate Interviews 2023
The Pines Preservation Guild reached out to the four candidates running for Aberdeen Town Council in the upcoming November 2023 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 candidates were sent our questions via email to respond to in writing. If a candidate’s name and response 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.
Elease Goodwin
We presented Ms Goodwin, and all Aberdeen candidates, with the following same nine questions.
Ms. Goodwin responded in a narrative format. Her answer in her entirety follows the questions. Emphasis has been added.
Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Aberdeen.
What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Aberdeen’s historic buildings sites and neighborhoods?
Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Aberdeen?
Aberdeen is a Certified Local Government, which means the Aberdeen Historic Preservation Commission must have an active and legally adequate historic preservation commission and must meet the federal requirements for certification on an annual basis. In return Aberdeen is eligible for matching grants from the state to assist with historic preservation programs and projects. How will you support Aberdeen’s existing Historic Preservation Commission in maintaining its CLG status?
What is your view on the role of Aberdeen’s local historic district? Would you support the expansion of the date of significance for the Aberdeen Historic District to include now historic properties, such as those built between 1941-1973, currently not included as historic when the district was created in 1991 so those properties would now be eligible for tax credits?
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?
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?
What is your favorite historic building in Aberdeen (older than 1973) and why?
Are you aware that Aberdeen is part of the North Carolina Main Street program? How do you think the town could utilize that program to enhance the downtown?
Aberdeen has a wonderful Historic District supported by a Historical Commission of which I totally support. The name tells us about our Scottish History. The Commission has preserved the first post office in Aberdeen and it is named the “Postmasters House”
Another shining example of preservation is the “Malcolm Blue Farm.” The townspeople have done a great job in maintenance. There are many store buildings in downtown and several older homes that are well preserved.
Having been one of the first members of the the Main Street program, I completely understand and support.
I also would support Tax credit expansion for “later years built”
