Gary Ogle

Political platform statement

Full name: Gary Norman Ogle

Age: 71

Education

Valdese High School, 1970

Gardner Webb College, BS – Health, Physical Education, Science, 1974

Appalachian State University, MA – Public School Administration, 1981

Educational Specialist (EDS) - Public School Administration 1985

Military service

NONE

Employment

Burke County Public School, 30 years of service, Retired 2004

Served as Coach, Teacher, Asst. Principal and Principal in various schools throughout the county during my tenure.

Residence

How long have you lived in the town in which you desire to serve? 32 Years Total

Do you own your home? Yes

If so, how long have you lived at that address? 8 Years

Running for elected office

Why are you seeking election?

The people of Valdese feel unheard, alienated, and shell-shocked by our recent tax bills. They’re nervous about funding a public safety building that will bring millions of dollars of debt to the town that will be left to our legacies. 

I want to be a voice for all residents of Valdese and keep them involved and informed regarding town decisions. I want to work closely with all public services to assure they will absolutely continue to provide much needed amenities for our residents.

If elected, what will be your primary focus during your first six months in office? 

I will work diligently to become familiar with all aspects of town government. This will include all services and budgets attached to each department.

I will encourage citizen input on all matters. Citizens will be encouraged to attend council meetings in person but may also view meetings via virtual means. I will seek to understand and begin working on ways to improve all existing services for Valdese residents. 

I would like to see an expansion of police services, including local non-emergency calls.

If elected, how will you address recent property revaluations and the subsequent increase in the actual dollar amount citizens are paying in property taxes? 

We have the highest property tax of any city or town in Burke County. I want to be involved in decreasing this tax rate from 51.5 cents back to a revenue neutral rate of 41.5 cents without compromising any town services. This can be done with careful consideration of all spending plans. 

What is your understanding of the proposed public safety building and how it will be funded? 

There has clearly been no transparency in the actual bottom-line cost of the building.

In our town’s newsletter (distributed with the water bill), there were 12 areas of financing listed to pay an annual payment of approximately $400,000 for an unknown number of years.

I want to first understand where the council stands on a whole cost estimate for the facility and what features they seek in this building entirely. As a Town Councilman, I seek to fully access the needs of a public safety building along with other Council members and weigh the best options for our town.

It will be important, again, to seek the opinions of our citizens before making final decisions regarding the current or any future facility.

Do you support moving forward with a new building? Why or why not? 

I do not support a quick move to build a new fire department without complete and immediate understanding of exactly what our current facilities offer. 

I also do not support a rash decision to construct a new building without a clear understanding of the total cost that will fall on the backs of our citizens through tax dollars. 

I do believe there is an immediate need to assess the existing public services building and hire qualified people to give their professional opinion as to how we can provide a safe environment for our police and fire personnel.

If elected as a public servant, what legacy do you hope to achieve during your tenure in office? 

I want to be the Councilman that assures people of Valdese were heard during my tenure. I seek to make honest and fair decisions. 

I hope they will feel they were represented and advocated for during my time on the Council. I hope they will believe I had the best interest of all residents at heart when making any town decisions.  

Any additional comments or remarks

I want to reiterate that my campaign platform has never been or will be to cut any town services. 

Our goal is to only improve the services for the residents of the Town of Valdese and to be good stewards of our tax dollars.