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Jerry T. Hodge

Newton City Council Candidate

828-234-5413

jthodge@charter.net

 

 

1.  Age

 

I am 64 years young.

 

2.  Birthplace -

My family and I have lived in Newton since 1995, 20 years. I am a native North Carolinian, born in Durham,  NC, and I grew up in historic Hillsborough, NC (in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area). My newspaper career brought our family to Newton where I served as publisher of the Observer News Enterprise from 1995 to 2000.

 

3.  Occupation –

 

Professionally, I spent 22 years in the newspaper industry in Wilmington, Lenoir and Newton, NC with the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group and with American Publishing Company. I served as publisher of the Observer News Enterprise from 1995 to 2000. I worked two years, from 2000 to 2002, developing the Hickory Metro Sports Commission and the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame. I joined the Republic Services management team in 2002, where I worked for 10 years as the Division Business Development Manager and Major Accounts Manager. I retired in 2012. During the past few years, I have served on the City of Newton Business Advisory Committee; appointed by former City of Newton Mayor, Robert A. Mullinax.

 

4.  Have you held office before?

 

I have not held any public offices. Therefore, I am not an incumbent. I have NOT served on the Newton City Council for 30 plus years as some incumbents. I will bring current, updated ideas to benefit the Newton Citizens. I will do more than just ask the tough questions.  I will make the tough decisions and offer solutions to problems. Throughout my life, I have served in leadership roles on a variety of business, educational and faith based committees and organizations.  If the voting citizens in Newton provide me the opportunity, I will do my very best to honor their trust and confidence.

 

5.  Briefly, (list is fine), what are the top three issues you are focusing on in your platform?

 

       Hodge Priorities for Newton:

 

  • Grow the tax base to reduce the tax burden on citizens and businesses:

  • Establish relationships for a sustained effort to recruit and retain businesses to revitalize Newton and to create good jobs.

  • Leverage private and public funding sources to stimulate innovation and business growth.

  • Make conservative and strategic financial plans/decisions to strengthen the budget.

  • Improve the infrastructure in Newton:

  • Pave and maintain City streets and repair sidewalks in a timely manner for the safety of Newton pedestrians and motorists.

  • Update and improve water and sewer lines on a planned schedule to protect against material decay and interruptions of essential services.

 

 

6.  Again, very briefly, list is fine, what unique skills/qualities can you bring to the city/county?

 

 

  1. Proven Leadership to get things accomplished by working with people at many levels.

    Knowledge of budgets, and organizational systems.

    < > to build relationships and promote Newton.City of Newton Business Advisory Committee, Member since December 2011 – current Chairman

  2. Western Piedmont Council of Governments Policy Board Member at Large since 2010

  3. Newton Conover Rotary Club – Former Member – Paul Harris Fellow

  4. Catawba County Foresight Planning Committee, Member, 2004

  5. Catawba County Chamber of Commerce, Board Chairman - 1998

  6. YMCA of Catawba Valley Corporate Board, Former Member

  7. Bank of Granite Advisory Board, Former Member

  8. Newton-Conover Education Foundation, Co-founder and Former President

  9. First Presbyterian Church of Newton, Elder – Personnel-Finance Committee, Past Chairman

  10. Catawba County, State and National Senior Games Qualifier, 2014 - 2015

  11. Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association, Former Board Member

  12. Youth Soccer Coach, City of Newton, YMCA and CVYSA, former coach

  13. Catawba County, Newton-Conover and City of Hickory Schools Education School Bond Referendum Committee, Co-Chairman, 1997

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