Ken Henke for Holly Springs Town Council

06/11/2012

June 10th Southwest Wake news article

I read the news today O' boy...sounds like a Beatles song. I was floored by Tim Sack's comment that he changed his stance on the tax hike once the town's new budget came into focus. And I was angered further by his comments that the council did not know what was in the budget. How could they not know? How could he not know?

Let me recap a few experiences that cause me to believe that the Council was not forthcoming about their budget plans prior to the election:

1. While standing at the poles on election day, somebody asked me my position about the $6 million proposed for the new police station. This was news to me, but apparently some people knew about it.

2. Being told after the election that there would be no additional tax revenue from New Hill Shopping Center, after being told before the election that there would be.

3. Finding out that there were many new items discussed at the post election Bond budget meeting with the Town Council: the bridge over Middle Creek, Main Street extension, and a long list of budget requests.

How could these items not be talked about during prior budget discussions or workshops leading up to November? Why did they not come “into focus” before November. Are we not voting in Council members to approve current and future budgets? How can they plan for future budgets if they do not know the town's needs for the future!! And how can candidates be expected to run effective campaigns if they are left in the dark about budget issues.

I agree that we need better facilities and bike paths for our residents to use. However, what I do not agree with is how we got here. And I do not agree with comments from Town officials that we need these improvements to attract another tax giants like Novartis. Novartis came here because of our tax incentives, and future companies will come for the same reason.

The Town Council needs to do what we elected them for: to look at the budget to see what is an immediate need and what is not. I’m sorry but the Council’s vote to raise taxes soon after the passing of the Bond referendum shows they are taking the easy road instead of making tough budget decisions.

06/08/2012

Hopefully the Town Council will vote NO for a tax increase during the June 29th budget meeting to spend the Bond monies. If they vote YES I apoligize to the voters that feel misled by the information I shared about there possibly not being a tax increase. I have heard from some of the voters that voted yes based on the on formation that I shared and feel the Town Council is being irresponsible or they were not give adequate information to be fully informed. The vote for a tax increase so soon after the Bond was approved looks like $20 million is burning a hole in the towns pocket.

11/21/2011

I commend Durham for taking the lead in our regional transit system upgrades by passing their referendum this past election; this will jumpstart a much needed approach to building a transportation system that will support our growing area. For decades, local towns have relied on an Urban Sprawl approach to spread out traffic, a growth pattern that will be unattainable in the upcoming years as we continue to grow. Some local towns have already started to focus on high-density residential areas that will support local businesses and, at the same time, fit into a regional transportation system.

I would like to see the Holly Springs Town Council vote to support this transportation referendum in Wake County if asked to in 2012. I would also ask the Town Council and town residents to take into consideration that this transit system will not start in Holly Springs, but come to Holly Springs. The longer we delay a referendum, the longer it will take for a transit system to come to town.

As we plan our Village District and Gateway parking areas, we need to consider bus and light rail destination points.

11/21/2011

I have been reading A.C. Cargill’s rants against the Bond Referendum throughout the 2011 campaign, and I am having a hard time following her conflicting remarks or her self-interpretations of what has been said. Myself, as a candidate, and other Council Members have said that they would not vote on spending the Referendum funds if it would raise taxes, just like the residents of Morrisville decided not to do. Holly Springs has seven years plus a possible six years extension to spend the Bond money, which gives plenty of time for residential and commercial tax growth to cover the cost. Yet, she ignores what has been printed or said previously by Town Council members, and she continues to use scare tactics by telling folks their property taxes are going up. Improving the Parks System will improve our residential and commercial tax base, not take away from it.

Yes, we need to spend the money responsibly, and my voice will be with those asking why the money was spent if it does raise taxes. Some critics of the Bond ask why we cannot pay as we go. My answer to that is with small projects you have the option to pay as you go but with large projects you borrow the money, or these projects may not get developed. If you had to pay as you go for your home, you would wait a lifetime to own a home. Most people do not want to wait a lifetime to own a home, or enjoy our parks system.

However, I believe future traffic on HWY 55 will be more of an issue for Holly Springs than how we spend the Parks Bond. I urge Cargill and other residents of Holly Springs to learn more about this issue and how it will affect Town growth, and to offer helpful suggestions as to how we approach it.

11/18/2011

About 45 people attended the Mims Area Workshop at the Cultural Center on Thursday night. Ideas were shared on walking trails, education center with nature theme and permanent Farmers Market along Earp Street or at the high point near the grave site. There was also discussion about specialty shops along Earp Street. The overall theme was to have some enhancement to the 17 acres, keeping buffers along residential areas and keep the overall existing feel of a wooded park with some structures. There will be a second workshop with a follow up presentation of a Master plan early 2012.

If you would like to have input on the development of the Springs Area please plan on attending the next Workshop when it is posted.

11/14/2011

Election 2013 is two years away and my campaign is already getting started. I appreciate the emails and conversations asking and encouraging me to seek a Council seat in 2013. I have also had some additional emails from Town residents asking advice on town issues and how to best proceed with their requests. They stated they were contacting me because I offered the most information during the campaign, and they know I attend the town informational meetings and currently serve on one of the town boards.

I, again, would like to thank those who supported me in 2011 and look forward to working with you and others during the 2013 election. If you have questions about town policy, where to get certain information, or have suggestions for the future of the town, do not hesitate to contact me by email or Facebook. I will be keeping them both active through the 2013 campaign.

I hope to see you at the SW Wake Landfill meeting Tuesday the 15th from 4-7 PM at the Cultural Center, or at the Mims Spring area workshop on Thursday the 17th from 6:30-8:30 PM (you must register for the Mims Workshop).

11/09/2011

Congradulations to Tim and Cheri on winning the two Council seats. I would also like to thank my supports and reassure them that I will still be involved with the town, working with the Food Cupboard, President of the Garden Club and attending informational meetings that relate to the town. I hope to see other residents when attending these informational meetings.

Holly Springs is a great place to live, let's keep it that way.

11/07/2011

Do you have time to volunteer at the poles?

The poles are open from 6:30-7:30 and I am looking for a couple more people to hold a sign at the poles from 6:30-8:30, 11:00-1:00 or 5:00-7:30. Let me know if you have time to help.

11/04/2011

Four (4) days and counting till election day.

I have had a number of contacts this past week asking questions about were I stand on certain issues. Do not hesitate to email or post on my page if you have an issue you are looking for clarification on. www.votekenhenke.com

Ken Henke is not receiving any monetary endorsements from political action com- mittees, and is only asking for contributions from Holly Springs residents to pay for yard signs, door knockers, and handout literature.

10/29/2011

I would like to thank the residents that stopped by my booth today at HollyFest. I had some great conversations, with most residents wanting to know what differentiated me from the other candidates. The other candidates say they want more growth in the tax base but do not state how they would acomplish this growth. Commercial growth along HWY 55 will appear rapidly once the 540 loop is completed. This growth will happen because it is basic economics.... create traffic and retail will follow. I want to create a program that the town staff can use to attract small businesses to the Village District and other Gateway areas. We need to build a community that creates jobs, places to eat, recreation and stores to shop at, without having to travel to local towns for these services. A vote for Ken Henke on November 8th as one of your two votes will create this voice for the Town of Holly Springs on the Town Council. Thank You in advance for your support.

10/28/2011

Meet The Candidates - Kenneth R. Henke Kenneth R. Henke 50 owner and founder of Secur-Tek is hoping to capture one of the two seats up for grabs on the Holly Springs Town Council. If elected by voters on Nov. 8 Henke said he hopes to support a ...