Three want mayor's seat in Holly Springs

Vickie Jean DeHamer

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- HOLLY SPRINGS -- Three men are vying to become Holly Springs mayor. One holds the title, one used to and one -- who calls himself "BirdDawg" -- thinks the town needs some new blood.

David "BirdDawg" Austin, 41, is facing off against incumbent Mayor Dick Sears, 70, and former Mayor Gerald Holleman, 73, on Nov. 3.

Austin has no prior town government experience; Sears has eight years in office and Holleman had 17.

"They've kind of got their ways set," said Austin of his more experienced competition. "You can't tell a stubborn, old man nothing."

But experience in managing growth will likely be foremost in voters' minds.

Holly Springs was one of only three Wake County towns to report a bigger budget this fiscal year, in part because of landing Novartis (NYSE:NVS) , a pharmaceutical plant, which is on course to add more than $800,000 in property taxes and 400 jobs. Two Harris Teeters and a Walmart are among the recent additions to a town that, only 26 years ago, had no traffic lights and no sewer system.

And while the town's commercial tax base is growing, the main thing that drives commercial tax growth -- residential growth -- is in a slump. The southwestern Wake town's population boom from the past two decades has dried up with the struggling real estate market.

When Holleman was elected in 1983 the town's population was 900. By the time Sears took office in 2001 it had jumped to 10,000. Today it stands at about 22,000.

The candidates are split on whether to encourage more residential growth.

Holleman warns that, with the 6,000 new housing lots that have already been approved by the town, Holly Springs will see 18,000 new residents and 12,000 new vehicles -- numbers he thinks infrastructure and services can't support.

He wants a one-year moratorium on residential growth.

Sears scoffs at the notion, pointing out that the recession is supplying the moratorium on its own and doesn't require political influence.

Austin, who describes himself as pro-growth, said he's not against growth of any kind. He proposes building up the town's infrastructure to lure more rooftops.

Meanwhile, the candidates are keeping a close eye on how the town spends its money.

Holleman takes aim at town staff raises and car allowances. The town manager, for example, receives $500 per month in a car allowance. Holleman thinks it sends the wong message in a recession.

Sears counters with statistics: Municipal tax revenues for the 2009-10 budget showed a 10.1 increase. Eight years ago, the town's tax base was 90 percent residential and 10 percent commercial. Today it's a 70-30 split, on track to the town's goal of 60-40.

Austin said he'd study neighboring towns to review salaries and perks. He said he knows Carl Dean, the town manager, personally and doesn't begrudge him the car allowance.

"I've always thought he had the hardest job," Austin said. "You've got everybody in your office -- especially when you have a surplus -- saying, 'we need a little something else here.' "

While Austin says he is ready to add energy and a new voice to Town Hall, it's the "stubborn, old" men who are showing the vigor on the campaign trail.

The three candidates were supposed to face off at the mayoral debate last week. But Austin didn't show.

While Sears and Holleman answered questions from a moderator for more than an hour, Austin said he didn't see the point of attending. "I don't feel like there's anything to say,"said Austin, whose campaign signs began popping up a few weeks ago.

Sears and Holleman each have Web sites explaining their views for voters.

Austin, who has no Web site, said he has spread his platform by word of mouth. Besides, he says, people have already made up their minds.

"This thing's already done," he said.

vickie.dehamer@nando.com or 919-460-2608

Newstex ID: KRTB-0268-39433741