Cameron Mayoral and Town Council Candidate Interviews
The Pines Preservation Guild reached out the two candidates who have filed for Cameron Mayor and two candidates who have filed for Town Council in the November 2021 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
Ms Nichols is one of two candidates 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.
I believe the History of Cameron and it's preservation is one of the most important challenges facing Cameron and Moore County.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Cameron’s historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods?
I plan to establish a capital improvement plan for the Town that will in addition to other vital improvements provide funding to the homeowners of Cameron to improve their structures. I also plan to produce educational materials and meetings to inform the property owners of programs and support available through other organizations such as SERCAP, NC preservation society [Preservation NC], National Preservation Society [The National Trust for Historic Preservation], Habitat, NC Tax credits, and more. I have a detailed plan for walkway and bike infrastructures and town enhancements and streetscaping to preserve our historic feel.
3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Cameron?
I possibly could. I would have to see the actual plan.
4. Although the town has the power to establish a Local Historic District to help protect Cameron’s historic buildings, that district was never created. This leaves many of Cameron’s historic structures unprotected and at risk of being demolished if the owner wishes. What is your approach to making sure buildings important to Cameron’s community heritage are protected?
I do believe the rights of property within some realm belong to the individual homeowners. I do support a historic district but with covenants of free will for property owners.
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?
As already stated in a previous question, I have a plan in place to create a substantial fund for this and other town causes.
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 need more information on terms of abatement to answer this.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Cameron and why?
I have to be bias and say my own home. If I did not love and live in my home it would be very hard to choose just one. Our historic buildings and the general history of Cameron is what makes us ...us.
Jim Leiby
Mr Leiby is one of two candidates 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.
No response
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Cameron’s historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods?
To get the neglected buildings cleaned up
3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Cameron?
This is in the works.
4. Although the town has the power to establish a Local Historic District to help protect Cameron’s historic buildings, that district was never created. This leaves many of Cameron’s historic structures unprotected and at risk of being demolished if the owner wishes. What is your approach to making sure buildings important to Cameron’s community heritage are protected?
They’re in a historic district, and the establishment of a historic commission is in the works but has been delayed by the deaths of key players
*PPG Clarification: According to the NC State Historic Preservation Office, Cameron has a National Historic District but as of 2021 no Local Historic District exists.
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?
As already stated in a previous question, I have a plan in place to create a substantial fund for this and other town causes.
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?
Buildings in the historic district are already eligible for such abatement.
*PPG Clarification: Certain structures within Cameron’s National Historic District may be eligible for State and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits. No abatements exists at Cameron’s town level.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Cameron and why?
No Favorites
David Seiberling
1. Please state your views on the role of historic preservation and our historic resources in the future of Cameron.
I do not know the role of historic preservation or understand our historic resources. I am very interested in preserving the character and structure of the older buildings, and maintaining the appearance.
2. What will be your top three priorities to ensure the preservation of Cameron’s historic buildings, sites and neighborhoods?
Not sure what authority we would have to create and enforce building codes that would require home owners and business owners to maintain their structures. Would the Planning and Zoning board have any authority to establish standards?
3. Would you support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Cameron?
I would support the creation of a Historic Preservation Plan in Cameron.
4. Although the town has the power to establish a Local Historic District to help protect Cameron’s historic buildings, that district was never created. This leaves many of Cameron’s historic structures unprotected and at risk of being demolished if the owner wishes. What is your approach to making sure buildings important to Cameron’s community heritage are protected?
We started the process several years ago. We got little help from Raleigh and were not able to set up meetings with area communities that had, or were trying to develop Historic Commissions. About all we have right now is local ordinances that establish certain requirements for property maintenance. We have little power of enforcement. I would really like to see a Historic Preservation Plan that would include the authority to require the maintenance of buildings and property
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?
Establishment of a town capital fund sounds like money. We have little in the way of resources to maintain our city park and public areas. We budget some funds to a beautification committee but it is stretched thin. I would support a capital fund - but how do you fund it?
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?
Definitely in favor of a tax-abatement. There seem to be many hoops to jump through.
7. What is your favorite historic building in Cameron and why?
My favorite building is the Old Greenwood Inn. It was once the hub of activity in Cameron in the days when Cameron was the "Dewberry Capital.” It has character and is in the heart of the historic business district. It is becoming an eyesore and is in danger of becoming non-functional. I fear it could be torn down within 5 to 10 years if something is not done. This building needs to be saved.
