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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT
WHQR will host and broadcast four candidate forums as part of the 2012 Election Season in the MC Erny Gallery, 254 N. Front Street, #300.Each forum will feature two local journalists asking prepared questions during the first half of the event. The second portion will be dedicated to questions from voters. A live studio audience will be invited to ask questions during this segment. We'll also use questions sent in from listeners.If you have a question for the candidates, please email us (newsdirector@whqr.org) or submit via Twitter with the #whqrforums hash tag and tell us which slate of candidates you'd like to address. We reserve the right to edit the questions for clarity, brevity, and objectivity. Each question must be addressed to all candidates in a particular race. If you can't attend the live event, Tweet along while you tune in or listen or watch the webcast online at 7 PM each night to hear the candidates! (WWAY will also broadcast the forums live on Time Warner Cable. RTV is channel 106, on ATMC, channel 903, on Charter Cable, channel 145 and over-the-air at 3.2.)Tuesday, Oct. 2, 7 PM- New Hanover County CommissionersJonathan Barfield (Current Vice Chairman)Beth DawsonRobert MurrayDr. Derrick HickeyWoody WhiteRob Zapple Thursday, Oct. 4, 7 PM- NC House District 18Representative Susi Hamilton (D)Louis Harmati (R) Monday, Oct. 8, 7 PM - NC Senate District 9Senator Thom Goolsby (R)Deb Butler (D) Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 PM - NC House District 19 & NC House District 20 NC House District 19Ted Davis, Jr. (Current NHC Commission Chair)Emilie Swearingen (Current Kure Beach Councilwoman)NC House District 20Rick Catlin (Current NHC Commissioner) (R)Tom Gale (D)

NHCo. Candidates Divided on Film Incentives at CFEDC Forum

The current set of film incentives is set to expire in 2014, and Republican state lawmakers have made no secret that the controversial package could be on the chopping block – as part of tax reform efforts.  At a New Hanover County Commissioner candidate forum last night -- sponsored by the Cape Fear Economic Development Council – the six candidates vying for three seats on the Commission offered distinctly differing views on whether film incentives serve the county.  WHQR’s Rachel Lewis Hilburn reports.

Film production in the state has already outpaced last year’s record-setting numbers.  And that, says Democratic Candidate Rob Zapple, makes a compelling case for continuing incentives. 

“So that means when you get a production like ‘Iron Man III’ that comes here and puts over $80 million into our local economy, when they finish, not only do we get a great film that I can go and enjoy with my grandson… but when they pack up their trailers and they move away after leaving their $80 million-plus dollars here, there are no smokestacks.  That’s clean industry.  That’s smart commercial development.”

Woody White, a local lawyer and one of three other Republican candidates, says incentives unfairly pit one industry against another.  And it’s a mistake, says White, for government to get into the business of choosing winners and losers. 

“The film incentives is nothing more than a product of clever lawyers and lobbyists that have gone to states over the last 20 years and gotten bills passed.  That’s what it is.” 

But Beth Dawson, also a Republican candidate, says until the General Assembly tackles reform, North Carolina should do what it can to stay competitive. 

“I believe an incentive to any business, whether it’s the film industry or not, we need to evaluate the return on investment.  That’s the bottom line.  The film industry here -- nearing $200 million in spending just this year – that’s a good return on investment, folks.”       

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.