SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — A small business owner and current school board member, Democratic candidate Stephanie Walker is running for a county commissioner seat in New Hanover County.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
Walker has served the public since the late 2000s in various roles. She has been on the Wilmington Sister City Commission, helping create the “Selection of Sister Cities” document, and two years as secretary on the NHC African American History Commission. Walker currently is on the Friends of the Library board and the New Hanover County School Board. For the schools, she formed the Turnaround Taskforce, facilitated the first student climate survey, supported the Student Voice initiative, and facilitated the latest staff climate survey.
“As a servant leader, I have an extensive history of public service, and I hope to continue that work as a county commissioner,” Walker said. “I am confident that my experience and passion for the community will greatly benefit the citizens I serve.”
Walker’s top three areas of concern are: affordable housing, support for public schools and expansive growth.
The candidate faces off against Democratic candidates Cassidy Santaguida and commissioner incumbent Jonathan Barfield Jr., as well as Republicans incumbents Dane Scalise and Bill Rivenbark, and John Hinnant.
| What Stephanie Walker is… • Listening to: My Spotify playlist has everything from ’80s to Pink Floyd, Metallica, and Flobots to Charliexcx, podcasts “Revisionist History,” “Serial,” and WHQR’s “The Newsroom,” “Finding Me” and “Bird by Bird” • Watching: “Slow Horses,” “Survivor,” “Great British Baking Show” • Reading: “The Coming Wave” by Suleyman and “Revenge of the Tipping Point” by Gladwell • Name something about yourself that readers would be surprised to learn: I met my British husband at an English country wedding and we’ve been married for nearly 30 years. When I was 12, I traveled to visit my grandmother in Wales on a cargo-passenger ship that took 13 days to cross the Atlantic, during which we encountered a tropical storm! I enjoy creating art, writing, researching family history, and gardening. Last year, I grew so many tomatoes that I gave away almost 100 to my friends. am somewhat musically talented. I taught myself how to play the piano and the guitar, have written a few songs, and I have been known to “grab the mic” on karaoke night. |
|
Absentee ballots are already being mailed and early voting opens mid-October. Locations include:
- Carolina Beach Town Hall, 1121 N. Lake Boulevard
- CFCC Downtown Campus, Health Sciences Building, 415 N. Second St.
- Future NHC Board of Elections, 226 Government Dr.
- Northeast Regional Library, David Poynter Room, 1241 Military Cutoff Rd.
- NHC Senior Resource Center, Multipurpose Room, 2222 S. College Rd.
Voters will be able to cast ballots at any of the above places and even register to vote beforehand on Oct. 17-18, Oct. 21-25, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27, noon – 5 p.m., and Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. All voters will have to go to their precinct to cast a ballot, as shown on their voter registry.
An ID must be presented to cast a ballot in the election. Acceptable forms of ID include NC drivers license or state ID, U.S. passport, college or student university ID, some state employee IDs and out-of-state drivers license or ID, as long as voter registration was done within 90 days of the election. IDs not in good standing can be expired by one year or less.
Port City Daily has compiled candidate questionnaires so voters can read up on contenders’ stances before heading to the polls this election season. All answers have been edited only for clarity; the candidates’ opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
The paywall is dropped on profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election.
Port City Daily: What are the top three items you’re campaigning on this season and why?
SW: • Affordable housing, including raising affordable housing inventory and addressing issues like housing insecurity and homelessness.
• Support for public schools, including critical capital improvements (repairs and new construction), assistance for teachers and staff, providing resources for high-needs schools, addressing mental health challenges for both students and staff, and preparing a future workforce in both trade and tech industries, as well as higher education. Additionally, incentives should be created to strengthen the teacher pipeline.
• Expansive growth, covering rapid development, infrastructure demands (roads, traffic, public transit, schools, utilities, stormwater management), and environmental concerns (wetland loss, limited landfill space, and the decrease of trees and tree canopies).
PCD: Name an issue you struggle to find a solution for that affects your district and how have/would you go about determining a path forward? If you have a personal anecdote to share that has helped guide you in deciding how to move forward, please share.
SW: The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a school board member is securing adequate funding for public school budgets. Each year has become more difficult due to the inadequacy of state funding. The state’s funding formulas for public schools are outdated, and now with over $7 million going to charter schools and school vouchers for private tuition, public schools are further strained. These budget shortfalls have resulted in staff cuts, increasing pressure on teachers and reducing resources for nearly 25,000 students. Unfortunately, local governments are left to fill the gap as the state underfunds public schools. Without state reform or increased local support, this issue will persist. Releasing the Leandro funds, which could bring over $50 million annually to New Hanover County Schools, could help but remains stalled in court.
I helped form the Turnaround Taskforce to address these challenges, focusing on supporting high-needs schools. Strong public schools are essential not only because of their value to our communi8ty, but also for economic growth, attracting businesses, and supporting a future workforce. Additionally, capital improvements, such as repairs at New Hanover High School, are urgent and will probably require a school bond. The Community Endowment, while contributing to public education, has the potential to do more, as education is one of its key pillars.
PCD: What changes, if any, would you make to county zoning ordinances, incentives, programs and/or policies to address affordable housing? Would you advocate for any new initiatives to promote affordability for residents?
SW: Yes, I would advocate for affordability initiatives. Wilmington is facing a housing shortage, which is driving up prices despite an increase in new construction. We need to strike a balance between development, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Poor planning can lead to issues like flooding, displacement, and higher costs. Although legal limitations, such as Dillon’s Rule, restrict local control, we must push for state-level changes and consider revising zoning ordinances to better protect the environment.
A comprehensive approach may require collaboration across county lines and careful analysis of infrastructure impacts, including stormwater management, traffic, and schools. A balanced planning board is crucial for managing future growth. We also need to explore infill options and offer developer
incentives to encourage the construction of affordable housing units. The housing affordability crisis is evident when essential workers, such as teachers, nurses, and first responders, cannot afford to live in the county they serve.
PCD: Some residents have stated local governments, including New Hanover County, are applying for New Hanover Community Endowment funds for items they should be responsible for funding. In NHC, examples include the Northside grocery store, which the county committed to funding in 2022, and New Hanover County Schools literacy coaches, though NHCS was employing these coaches prior to the award. In your view, how should the county decipher between endowment opportunities and its funding responsibilities?
SW: Our hospital was county-owned and belonged to the citizens of this county, therefore, the money from its sale belongs to the citizens. The community endowment focuses on four main pillars: Education (public primary, secondary, and post-secondary), Equity (social and health equity), Community Safety, and Community Development. I believe it is appropriate to partner with the county, the school district, and other local non-profits to honor the initial agreement made with the citizens of New Hanover County. This agreement has been laid out and their website states, ‘in conjunction with the New Hanover County Strategic Plan, we seek to identify and address the root challenges in these areas, aiming for long-lasting and deeply impactful solutions in our community’. The County also appoints 5 seats on the board and has access to $300 million stabilization fund from the sale. I believe the county should be partnering with the Endowment on certain initiatives because we were promised generational change with the funds from that sale. However, when it comes to long-term initiatives and solutions, the county should be developing a plan for sustained funding. The County should not rely solely on Endowment funding to make hard decisions.
PCD: Do you believe the county is adequately funding public education? Explain. If so, do you believe it could be improved upon and how?
SW: The county does provide some helpful support for our schools, but it could definitely be better. Statutorily, counties are responsible for the school district’s capital needs, but this is not just about our schools—it’s about support for public education. For me, this is not only about standing by our values, but also recognizing public schools as a vital economic driver. Strong public schools lead to a stronger local economy because they not only attract businesses to the area but also help educate a skilled workforce that will want to stay here. To me, it’s an investment.
The frustration with funding is understandable because the state is responsible for funding public school operating budgets, but it is not doing so adequately. The state’s funding formula is insufficient, and teacher pay ranks 48th in the nation. Since the funding is based on enrollment, public schools lose out when the legislature supports charter schools and private school vouchers because decreasing enrollment reduces funding.
Local governments must make up the shortfall, but when they don’t, schools face staff and resource cuts. This is a statewide issue, not just local. New Hanover County Schools recently faced a $20 million shortfall, while Wake County faced a $60 million gap, which their County Commissioners helped cover. While New Hanover County provides support, the staffing cuts remain painful. The school board lacks taxing authority and cannot control inflation or rising costs, leaving them dependent on state, federal, and local support. The county could certainly do more, and I’m open to exploring all options to support a successful public school system.
PCD: The city and county just approved its joint homelessness strategy on Sept. 5. Do you endorse it, which includes more staff, day centers and housing programs? What specific actions would you like to see the county implement to align with the strategy?
SW: I do endorse the joint homelessness strategy. We must continue to work with and support our community partners, like the county and city have been doing in the realm of housing assistance, continue supporting workforce gap rental assistance, and the recent housing funds from the endowment to support our community partners that have the capacity to do this important work. Repurposing land for more affordable housing units and permanent supportive housing projects.
PCD: Many communities in New Hanover County experienced increased flooding as a result of the recent Tropical Storm Debby, and climate research shows storms will become more frequent and stronger, with sea levels expected to rise in the next few decades. What will you advocate for as commissioner to mitigate current flooding conditions and help prepare the county for future issues?
SW: Implementing both the sustainability department and the stormwater management division is a step in the right direction, but support of both of these departments is crucial for mitigating the flooding issues we face in New Hanover County. Additionally, future development should account for how stormwater impacts existing properties. We could also utilize AI technology to monitor known trouble spots, like parts of Ogden, Murrayville, and downtown areas. While flash flooding itself may not be entirely preventable, there are technologies that may be put in place to help monitor and warn in advance to protect homes from flooding. Other states and regions already ahead in this area could serve as models for improvement. It is also essential to stop filling in wetlands, conserve lowland and wetland areas, and avoid clearcutting and removing large trees, which naturally absorb thousands of gallons of stormwater.
PCD: Discussions about the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge continue with the NCDOT assessing three options: a 135-foot, a 100-foot or a 65-foot span. Also, a federal grant of $242 million has been received to cover part of the costs, with more grants having been applied for. However, the WMPO voted to consider all funding options, including a toll. Though nothing has been voted on or solidified, where do you stand on the bridge size and the funding of it, including a toll? Explain.
SW: I am concerned that the plans may have already been decided on the final three designs, but I would like to see more options, particularly one that minimizes the impact on the areas surrounding the bridge. It’s important that we build a bridge designed for the future, incorporating other modes of transportation and with lower maintenance costs than the current structure. I have consistently opposed implementing a toll for this bridge, as I believe it would be a regressive tax on working individuals. Furthermore, since the bridge is part of a state road, serving as a key artery into our county, ports, and used by our military, it should be a top priority for state and federal funding, rather than relying on tolls.
PCD: PFAS and 1,4-dioxane contamination in the region has been a major concern for residents in recent years. Would you advocate the county to lobby for any specific legislation or regulation on this issue, such as the Department of Environmental Quality’s proposals to enact surface and groundwater standards for eight PFAS compounds? Would you support efforts to expand local authority of environmental regulation, or advocate any other county action on this issue?
SW: Yes, I would advocate for the county to lobby the state and federal government to regulate all PFAS chemicals in our drinking water. I have been drinking this water since childhood and am currently participating in a PFAS human study. Unfortunately, my children’s blood tests also show high levels of PFAS, which raises concerns about the effects on our health and the health of others in this community. These chemicals are known as “forever chemicals”, so they will technically never fully go away. No company should be allowed to dump toxins into our water supply.
PCD: In light of a few historic building structures collapsing this year, the county is researching policy changes to allow for more annual commercial building inspections rather than only executing them when a new structure is built or when renovations are needed. Do you support this measure; why or why not?
SW: Yes, I support any measure that helps prevent the collapse of buildings, especially historic ones. With all the improvements and construction happening downtown, along with the upcoming bridge work that may shift and unsettle the ground, the need for these inspections will likely increase. Regular inspections will help ensure public safety and protect our historic structures from potential damage caused by these changes.
PCD: Take us through your process to decide whether taxes should be increased on constituents; for instance, this fiscal year, commissioners did not increase property taxes, versus those who did in 2021.
SW: Any decision like this will depend on the county’s budget and specific needs. It would be premature to speculate about a potential increase without knowing the finalized budget or the projected income. Accurate decisions require a thorough review of the county’s financial situation and upcoming revenue streams.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
