Cameron Mayor and Town Commission Candidate Interviews -2023

The Pines Preservation Guild reached out the one candidate who filed to run for Cameron Mayor and three candidates who have filed for Town Commission in the November 7 2023 election. Our organization believes it is important to understand how each candidate values the history and preservation of Cameron. 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 Cameron.

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 five 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.

Tasherra Nichols-McDuffie

Ms Nichols-McDuffie is running for Mayor of Cameron

1. Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Cameron.

The Town of Cameron has done a great job of preserving much of its history. Many of the founding families remain, residents, whether they have gone and come back or remained homestead. We have home and property owners who are looking for ways to restore their buildings as they age and become less fit to occupy. I believe the history of Cameron and its preservation is one of the most critical challenges facing Cameron. Our HPC (PPG Edit: Historic Preservation Commission) has made great strides with the steps necessary to protect the buildings and many homes on our main street. Moving forward there is much more in Cameron that needs to be documented and protected in the same regard.

2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Cameron’s historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods?

The Town of Cameron established a Historic Preservation Commission last Spring. The committee showed great promise and enthusiasm upon its inauguration. I feel that the cause has lost momentum after experiencing a major setback in June. My first priority to ensure the preservation of historic Cameron will be to reconnect with the original members of the committee to regroup. Next, I would begin an initiative to increase membership by extending an invitation to various stakeholders who own property or have other special interests. Lastly, I would formulate multiple sub-committees that will expound upon every area of our town and its very concerned citizens. 

3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Cameron?

We have an HPC that has established a historic overlay zone of homes to be preserved. I support this as I own and reside in one of the properties. However, incorporated in the Historic Preservation Plan moving forward should include protecting the remainder of the community.  

4. Earlier this year Cameron established a Local Historic District Overlay Zone to help protect Cameron’s historic buildings that previously were unprotected. How would you support the newly established Historic Preservation Commission in it’s important work as the legal board overseeing the historic district? What is your approach to making sure buildings important to Cameron’s community heritage are protected?

I attended some of the meetings and events held by our commission over the past summer. Their hard work and long hours of dedication proved exemplary as over $120,000 was raised in a concise amount of time. I believe that I can contribute more of my own time and skills moving forward to add to an already great team. My approach is and always has been to involve everyone without prejudice. I don't mind getting boots on the ground to census who and what all needs protecting. 

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?

I don't have enough information to provide an informed statement.

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?

I would have to do more research to provide an informed statement. 

7. What is your favorite historic building in Cameron (older than 1973) and why?

My own home was built around 1883. For some reason, the Borst House is not often mentioned. Surprisingly it has been on the State of North Carolina's Department of Cultural Resources Division of Archives and History certified on The National Register of Historic Places since March 17, 1983. That's my whole life. I find this historical fact to be interesting. The certificate that came with the home when we purchased it has been passed on from each owner. I find this to be an honor and the charge as stated below to be very sacred: The National Register is a list of properties "significant in American history, architecture, archeology, and culture - a comprehensive index of the significant physical evidence of our national patrimony." Properties listed thereon deserve to be preserved by their owners as a part of the cultural heritage of our nation.  As only a 5th generation descendant of slaves, the ownership of this land holds a duty that I will never take lightly. #CameronForward