By Michelle Bliss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/whqr/local-whqr-990606.mp3
Wilmington, NC – Election Day is November 8th and Wilmingtonians have nine candidates to choose from for City Council. WHQR's Michelle Bliss reports that Ronald Sparks is finishing up his fourth year on council and is running for a third term this election season.
Sparks worked as the city engineer for 15 years. As an incumbent and former city employee, Sparks says that maintaining institutional knowledge is critical, especially with ongoing issues, like the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. In response to the idea of dissolving the authority, Sparks says there would be unintended consequences for that knee-jerk reaction.
"The city does not get everything they put into the deal. They don't get the 80 percent of their infrastructure that's a part of this deal; they only get half of it. But, they get to deal with the debt that has been accrued since the formation. So, it's not wise to talk about complete dissolution of it."
Sparks' goals for another term include improving aging infrastructure and maintaining a high fund balance for public safety and emergency weather.
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