Kimberly Spader is running for Wilmington City Council. She works as a licensed clinical social worker, and wants to use her listening skills to create open dialogue between city council and residents.
Spader wants to create more affordable housing in the city by clearly defining it as no more than 30 percent of a person’s income. She says she’d push for tax incentives for homeowners who rent their properties below market value. And she wants to expand Wave Transit to more New Hanover County neighborhoods outside of Wilmington, and change the current bus schedule from every hour to every 15 minutes.
She says she has no quick solutions for any of these ideas, but she’s open to hearing the thoughts of residents.
“I don't know that we can actually assess any needs and give any real functional support to our community if we don't have an opportunity for them to tell us what those needs are… I'd love to see just the actual council members speaking directly to people in a lot of different ways.”
“In terms of these issues, the affordable housing and transportation… have you looked at any models from other cities and towns and found anything?”
“…no, I don't think that I've got any great examples right now. I'm sure there are. And I’d love to hear from people who know them.”
