Editor’s note: Port City Daily invited all candidates for Brunswick County Commissioner to participate in our candidate questionnaire series. Candidates’ responses have not been edited for length or content.
Name: Brenda Faye McMillian
Office Sought: County Commissioner
Political affiliation: Democrat
Age: 58
Personal/family information: Two Adult Children
Education: Bachelor in Business Management, UNC-Wilmington, Licensed Real Estate Broker, Licensed Assisted Living Administrator, Effective Teacher Training
Profession: Retired Social Worker
Previous elected/appointed office(s) held: Chief Judge Town Creek Precinct
What are the top issues facing Brunswick County residents today?
Top issues facing Brunswick County residents are employment opportunities, infrastructure, education and community based supportive services for Seniors and disabled adults. Tourism and construction are two of the main employment sources in Brunswick County. Employment in the construction industry has been impacted by the economic downtown. Results are there are many unemployed Brunswick County residents. Even my community has been severely impacted as more than 75% of my neighbors are unemployed or underemployed. They worked in trade jobs such as carpentry, brick masonry and plumbing. The economic conditions have affected so many employment opportunites. Priority is to create a climate that will result in more environmentally friendly jobs in Brunswick County.
Infrastructure of water and wastewater are areas of concern. Wells are the water source for many county residents. Rust and other contaminants pollute the water. Therefore, extra expenses are incurred purchasing water and cleaning supplies. As the construction industry recovers, having water and wastewater systems in place will render the county more economically attractive for constructing housing developments, single family homes and businesses.
Technical and vocational education opportunites are needed to be competitive globally. Many students will proceed directly into the workforce upon exiting high school. The training afforded with technical and vocational programs provide needed skills for obtaining high paying jobs.
There are many families that are taking care of disabled adults while maintaining full time jobs. In other instances there are retired caregivers that have total responsibility for the disabled family member or friend. Often having a minimal amount of respite can equate to the caretaker continuing to provide care in the community setting rather than in a facility. The results of respite to the seniors and caregivers are emotional satisfaction, improved health and tax savings.
As county commissioner, what would you do to make Brunswick County conducive to recruiting new industry as well as making the county a viable place for small business owner?
The cost of doing business would be more cheaper by keeping the taxes low. Efforts would be devoted to expanding infrastructure relative to water and sewer projects. Investments would be made in vocational training opportunities for students to be workforce ready at graduation. This would result in available trained labor force. We would support business incentives when the projected return on investment would be sufficient. Business incubators have been viable resources in the past and would be available resources.
Do you support economic incentives as the law currently allows?
Yes. Economic incentives are sometimes needed to be competitive with other counties and with other states. Each company is going to consider their projected revenue and profits in determining the location of its business. However, in allowing incentives, it is imperative that the end results are increased employment and/or job retention.
Do you support the current relationship and funding mechanism between Brunswick County and Brunswick County Schools? What if anything, would you change about the agreement?
Yes, I support the current funding mechanism between Brunswick County and the Brunswick County Schools. There is not anything I would change about the agreement.
