At-Large seat - Unexpired term

Age: 46

Occupation: Stay-at-home father

Education: University of Virginia, BS in Commerce, 1987

Political party: Democrat

Civic involvement: Steering Group Preston Grande/Crabtree Crossing Traffic Calming; Morrisville Public Safety Advisory Committee; Weatherstone Elementary PTA volunteer – Room Parent, School Store, Running Club; Green Hope High School volunteer; Soccer coach for two teams (U6 and U17); Fall Litter Sweep; enrolled in Morrisville 101; numerous submissions to “Suggestion Box” Report a Concern tool on Town’s home page; Citizen Survey Panelist.

Historical: Fellow Public Interest Research Group; Coupon Book Fundraisers lead for Triangle Flying Disc Association; UNC-TV Membership Drive; Adopt-A-Highway lead for Triangle Sports and Outing Club.

What is your top priority if elected? Ensuring the continued investment in what makes Morrisville great, top notch police and fire departments and a dedicated, knowledgeable and friendly town staff. With those key services assured I will work to preserve and maximize our green space and work to increase our transit options to reduce traffic congestion. It is also important for people to feel connected to their neighbors and involved in their community. To promote this I have created a web page www.TJforMorrisville.org/Neighborhoods where any Morrisville resident can subscribe to the email discussion group relating to events and information about their particular neighborhood.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? I am a reasonable person and I know if I want to live in a town that provides a great quality of life I am willing to pay my fair share.

I would hesitate to vote for any candidate who would at this time make a promise to not raise taxes or fees. I would have to wonder if they truly have the long-term best interest of the Town in mind or if they are just saying what they think will get my vote.

I would support a proposal to raise taxes or fees next year if, after examining all other alternatives, doing so is determined to be the only way to maintain essential services and preserve Morrisville’s high quality of life.

Contact: ; TJforMorrisville@hotmail.com; 103 Trellingwood Drive Morrisville, NC 27560

--------------------

Gerard Falzon

At-Large Seat, Four-year term

Age: 47

Occupation: Real Estate Broker, Gianni Property Group

Education: BS - Civil Engineering from U.S. Military Academy, MBA from Cornell University

Military service: U.S. Army - 24th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division

Political party: unaffiliated

Civic activities: Morrisville Board of Adjustments, American Red Cross, American Life League, Americans for Fair Taxation

What is your top priority if elected? 1. Bring the Employee Medical Plan into alignment with our vision statement; 2. Resurface Church Street and build sidewalks or a bike path by Morrisville Plaza; 3. Author a new ethics policy

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? No. We don’t need to add another level of uncertainty to business which has enough to worry about at the federal level. Morrisville is in excellent shape financially so we should be able to self-fund our needed improvements as a result of our successfully implemented and ongoing austerity program.

Contact: 114 Gratiot Drive, Morrisville NC 27560, gerard.falzon@gmail.com.

---------------------------

Liz Johnson (i)

District 3

Age: 51

Occupation: retired, community volunteer

Education: College of Mount Saint Vincent, BA in Mathematics with a concentration in Elementary Education

Political party: unaffiliated

Civic activities: Morrisville Town Council, 1999-present; Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC); Wake County Growth Management Task Force; Green Hope High School PTA volunteer; and Morrisville Community Fund Steering Committee/Board of Directors

What is your top priority if elected? I will continue to put a priority on the economic downturn’s negative effects on the Town of Morrisville. Slowed growth has resulted in slowed revenue growth. I will continue to stay focused on reducing discretionary spending without compromising our most critical services; public safety, police and fire. I will continue to support economic development efforts to improve Morrisville’s revenue growth to ensure our tax rate remains low.

While the last 3 budget cycles have been challenging for the Town of Morrisville, we are in sound fiscal health. In 2009 our credit rating was raised to AA+ from AA- and we continue to maintain that rating. Our overall debt remains low and our unreserved fund balance remains strong. This is a direct result of the steps taken to avoid budget shortfalls and take advantage of operational efficiencies.

I will continue to support conservative budgeting practices, as recently confirmed by our audit of fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. Once again we have come in under budget. Expenses were held and revenue ended higher than projected. I have consistently proven that I can make the tough decisions to keep our expenses in check. I will continue to address our budget, as I do every decision, with our citizen’s best interest in mind.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? At the January 2011 Town of Morrisville Retreat I spoke out against added expenses that would have resulted in a tax rate increase for the current fiscal year’s budget adopted June 28. My record shows that I have consistently voted to maintain or lower Morrisville’s tax rate 12 years in a row.

Contact: www.VoteLizJohnson.com, 104 Delafield Court Morrisville, NC 27560, Liz@VoteLizJohnson.com.

------------------------------

Linda Lyons (i)

District 1

Age: 56

Occupation: Advance Technician/Technical Support with Verizon

Education: High school graduate, attended Durham Technical College

Political party: Democrat

Civic activities: Morrisville Council Member 1999-present; Mt. Zion Missionary Church-Cary; Triangle J Council of Governments (COG) Board of Delegates alternate; Morrisville Dine Local steering committee

What is your top priority if elected? Focusing on roads and relieving traffic congestion has always been a top priority. Major Morrisville roads belong to the state and are not locally maintained. We must strengthen our partnership with NCDOT and move forward with a plan to address traffic on Morrisville-Carpenter Road, N.C. 54 and McCrimmon (Parkway). Like the improvements currently planned for Morrisville-Carpenter Road, we need to continue to partner with CAMPO on shared funding.

If I should be reelected I will also continue to focus on the downtown area. We need vibrant community center for citizens to gather with family and friends, a social meeting place. I support creating a place we can gather for cultural arts, music on the plaza and entertainment. I would also continue the efforts to have adequate infrastructure throughout the community. Some citizens are without municipal water and sewer.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? During my time on the council I have never voted for a property tax increase and I will continue to direct staff to find ways to balance the budget without a property tax increase. I also think the citizens should weigh in on that question based on their priorities for the future of Morrisville.

Contact: www.reelectlindalyons.org, 1005 Church St. Morrisville N.C. 27560, lalyons2000@aol.com.

----------------------------

Gary Martin

District 3

Age: 57

Occupation: Supply Coordinator SAS

Military service: US Army 1971-1973

Political party: Republican

Civic activities: Community appearance committee member; Past President CERT -Community Emergency Response Team and Trainer; Board President for the past six years Lakes 1 subdivision in Breckenridge

What is your top priority if elected? I would put more attention to the needs of the citizen and existing businesses, and the property tax rate.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? If after taking a hard look at the spending, we still need a tax increase have a referendum and let the citizens decide.

Contact: votegarymartin.wordpress.com, 711 Sutter Gate Lane, Morrisville NC 27560; garymartin55@yahoo.com.

---------------------------

Pete Martin (i)

At-Large Seat, Four-year term

Age: 66

Occupation: Financial Services, Duke Medical Center, Durham

Education: BS Health Service Administration, CUNY

Political party: Democrat

Civic activities/military service: U.S. Army 1969 – 1972; member of the American Legion; Morrisville Council Member – 12 years; Mayor Pro-Tem 2005 –2007, 2009- present and Special Olympics Volunteer

What is your top priority if elected? Major in my priorities is keeping our tax rates low, yet providing the necessary services for our citizens. The downturn in our economy has generated concern for everyone. Our town does not need to add to that stress. I will do everything in my power to maintain our current tax rate.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? Considering the uncertainties of our current economy, I could not support a proposal to raise property taxes. In my 12 years of service on the town Council, I have never voted for a tax increase. During the Council’s recent budget consideration, I was at the forefront in opposing a tax increase. Before any consideration of a tax increase to pay for needed services, I will seek an increase in other revenue sources, more spending cuts, and use of ample financial reserves.

Contact: votepetemartin.com,112 Dallavia Court, Morrisville, NC 27560, mart45@hotmail.com.

--------------------

Tara Mylenski

At-Large Seat, Unexpired term

Age: 37

Occupation: Director of Alliance Management, Quintiles

Education: State University of New York - BS Business Economics, N.C. State University - MBA Finance and Entrepreneurship

Political party: Republican

Military service: Navy Reserves

What is your top priority if elected? The top priority for policymakers throughout the state must be to stop spend-and-tax budgeting. There is always room for efficiency and I will start with a thorough due diligence of current expenditures, speaking to all parties involved to get their thoughts on ways we can save money. I will also work directly with the chamber of commerce to attract new business in existing shopping centers and more importantly, with developers to attract single family housing developments to grow our revenue base.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? No, I believe there is always room for efficiencies and therefore we should look at the spending side of the equation. For prioritized items that are beyond spending cuts, I would propose to look for grant money and as a last resort, a bond referendum. When managed properly bond referendums can provide the necessary revenues without raising taxes.

Contact: www.taraformorrisville.com, 2711 Kudrow Lane Morrisville NC 27560, taramyl@gmail.com.

-------------------

Steve Sandeep Rao

At-Large Seat, Unexpired term

Date of Birth: 1970

Occupation: Business Development Manager at Alphanumeric Systems

Education: Bachelor’s in political science from Emory University; J.D. from W.Va. University College of Law

Political party: Democrat

Civic activities: Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee and NC REAL, Board of Directors

What is your top priority if elected? My top priority will be to encourage economic development and to promote Morrisville as an attractive community for new and expanding businesses along with bringing new ideas to the table on how we can reduce expenses where necessary and increase revenues for certain Town Agencies.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? No. I would not support a property tax increase at this time. In the wake of recent business layoffs, I do not believe a general increase in property taxes would be in the best interests of the town at this time, especially if such an increase would make Morrisville less competitive with other Wake County municipalities trying to attract employers to their towns. However, I would listen to the community and consider the need for specific improvements against various funding options as they proposed.

Contact: www.steverao.com, 128 Gratiot Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560, sr@steverao.com.

--------------------------

Michael Schlink

District 1

Age: 52

Occupation: Chem-Dry of Cary

Education: Dual degree in Law Enforcement Administration and Political Science, Western Illinois University

Political party: unaffiliated

Civic activities/military service: U.S. Army and served on the Morrisville Land Use & Transportation Committee.

What is your top priority if elected? I pledge to better focus on the interests and quality of life of our citizens, neighborhoods, existing businesses and the environment while supporting balanced growth that is willing to pay for its fair share of infrastructure improvements.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? No. Morrisville doesn’t have a revenue problem - we have a spending problem. We must do a better job at focusing on core responsibilities and budget responsibly. This council continues to put off changes to the town’s sustainability model that did not even occur when residents defeated the proposed 19 percent property tax increase.

Officials continue to spend as if they increased our property tax rate. As a successful business owner, I have firsthand experience making difficult decisions and budgeting responsibly.

As a member of the Morrisville Town Council I will always ask three basic questions prior to voting; 1) How will this make Morrisville a better community? 2) How much does it cost? and 3) How are we going to pay for it? Sound budgeting will enable Morrisville to continue to provide a high quality of life for our residents without increasing taxes.

Moreover, town officials have failed to adequately invest in road funding, road maintenance, storm water runoff and traffic calming measures. These deficiencies must be corrected quickly to prevent these negative trends from gathering momentum and diminishing our community life even further.

I am concerned with town officials’ calls for a property tax increase instead of considering spending reductions and looking for opportunities for improved efficiencies and cost savings.

Contact: www.michaelformorrisville.org, 416 Willingham Road Morrisville NC 27560, mikeformorrisville@gmail.com.

-------------------

Mark Stohlman

At-Large Seat, Four-year term

Age: 52

Occupation: CPA Associate Director, Family Health International

Education: American University, BS Business Administration, UNC-Chapel Hill Master’s in Accounting

Political party: Republican

Civic activities: Morrisville Town Council (2007-2009); Triangle J Council of Governments (2007-2009); Audit Committee for Board of Directors for RTP Federal Credit Union; and basketball coach

What is your top priority if elected? My top priority would be to work with the other Council members and Town staff to develop realistic plans for the Town’s transportation needs and make sure our property taxes don’t increase.

Would you support a proposal to raise taxes or fees to pay for improvements? No, I would not support raising taxes or fees. I think we need to be able to fund it within our existing budget and seek federal and state funds to support improving regional commuter routes that cut through Morrisville.

Contact: www.citizensforstohlman.com, 209 Bailey Ridge Drive Morrisville, NC 27560, citizensforstohlman@nc.rr.com.