Why should you vote for the Contract?

Because the Contract reflects the values and common-sense principles shared by all city residents.  Let’s take a closer look and you'll see for yourself.

The Baseball Stadium

The baseball stadium project has displaced many citizens and several businesses, and a total of $24.7 million of public money was given to team owners.

There is a big difference between public money (taxpayer dollars) and private money. Public money benefits the public, and private money benefits individuals or businesses. Despite what you hear from our current City Council members, the beneficiaries of this project are the team owners, not the general public.

The Contract is premised upon the concept that public money should be used to benefit the public—period!  The baseball stadium should be funded through private sources such as investors, bank loans, and the willingness of the team organization to risk its own capital.

More importantly, public money should be used for strengthening and improving public services including, but not limited to, public safety, infrastructure, parks and recreation, and sanitation.

The Economy

There is nothing weighing heavier on people’s minds than the economy. The Contract supports the idea that it is much easier for business entities to function when their regulatory burden is light.

Currently, businesses in Winston-Salem are functioning under the weight of costly government regulations and zoning laws. If these burdens were removed from the shoulders of business owners, then local businesses would grow and thrive.

Wasteful Spending and Taxes

The Contract is also based on the idea that the smaller the government bureaucracy, the better it functions and serves it’s people.

In 2008, there was a $2.8 million budget gap caused largely by the City Council spending more than the city’s revenues.

Wasted money and overspending can be found in any government budget. And once it’s found it should be returned to its rightful owner—the taxpayer—in the form of a reduction in property taxes.

Freedom of Religious Expression

We all want our city to be a safe place to live and raise a family. We also want our city to be a place where we can work and prosper.  It is wise to seek the favor of God to achieve these goals.

In November of 2006, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) threatened to file suit to find sectarian prayers at City or County meetings unconstitutional and prohibit prayers to a specific deity.  The current City Council quietly complied.

Different faiths have their own protocols to follow for prayers to be heard by God.  When a religious leader is invited to give the opening prayer, the City Council will honor each custom so the guest leader can freely ask for God’s favor on our city.

Involuntary Annexation

Thousands of county residents have been annexed and, thereby, forced to pay city property taxes in 2006.  These acts of annexation have trampled on the rights of property owners to choose where to live and to whom they would pay taxes.  Annexation creates chaos in the personal finances of those that it affects.

The Contract supports the idea that government should not use its power to profoundly disrupt the finances of individuals for its on gain.  Therefore, no additional county residents will be annexed unless they voice that desire through their vote.

Public Safety

Public safety is the primary function of local government.  Under the Contract, the police and fire departments will afforded top priority to equip and prepare them to serve the city and its residents.

City Services

Those residents who were forced into the city by annexation are entitled to the benefits of being residents and paying taxes.  Therefore, this Contract seeks to ensure that those new residents receive those benefits.

Term Limits

Political careers that last for decades create gaps between elected officials and the people they represent. Unfortunately, these gaps lead to many elected officials believing that they can act in their own interest rather than that of the public interest.  Therefore, the Contract invokes term limits to help prevent this disconnect between City Council members and city residents.

If you believe these principles can lead Winston-Salem to a bright future, then vote for the Republican Candidates for City Council during early voting October 15th through October 31st and on Election Day on November 3, 2009!