Jaye Rao, Republican candidate for Charlotte city council at large, responds to our candidate survey.

Question 1 — Based on the facts as you now understand them, do you believe the Mecklenburg district attorney’s office should charge C.L. McClure with a crime in connection with the recent shooting death of Marcus Fluker?

Rao: The DA did the right thing by not charging McClure. He was acting in self defense. It was a continuation of the crime scene.

Question 2 — Do you believe Mecklenburg County should seek state authority to levy an additional half-cent sales tax dedicated to transit? Would you support additional dedicated revenue of any kind for CATS, such as car licensing fees, parking surcharges, etc.?

Rao: Right now, I am not in favor of any additional taxes. We are already overtaxed and people are really feeling the pinch. I advocate that we look at our budget to look at cost savings first before we apply additional taxes on our citizens. We need to grow our economy not shrink it.

Question 3 — Do you support the construction of a $500m. streetcar line across Charlotte? How would you pay for it?

Rao: I believe the heart of this question is where to find funding for this project. We cannot afford to take it out of our General Funds. There are already tremendous needs that are going unmet. This would be a enormous burden on our General Fund and eventually our taxpayers.

Question 4 — Has the city’s 311 system been a success? Explain.

Rao: I would like to see data on this measure. It has personally assisted me at times, but other times not so much.

Question 5 — Given what has transpired in other cities in recent months, with pro sports franchises winning more advantageous lease conditions as part of ownership changes, would you support changing the terms of the city’s agreement with the NBA in order to entice a new owner to replace Bob Johnson as owner of the Charlotte Bobcats?

Rao: No, I would not. The Citizens of Charlotte have dealt with already too much as it relates to the arena.

Question 6 — Should the city help pay the construction costs of a new baseball stadium for the Charlotte Knights?

Rao: No. I am opposed to a new Baseball Stadium. I have a sports marketing background. I understand if we were fortunate enough to attract a professional baseball team, we would have to build another stadium. We are back to what we dealt with the arena.

Question 7 — Do you support or oppose raising garbage collection/recycling fees on city residents?

Rao: I do not at this time support that. We need to do away with colorful garbage cans before we charge our citizens. I believe the Charlotte East community would appreciate more support to fight crime instead of colorful garbage cans that will inevitably get dirty.

Question 8 — Does the city have any responsibility to the contractors who have not been paid for their work on the EpiCenter, a city-backed and supported development?

Rao: Not in my opinion. I would like to see the full contract to make certain we are not already on the hook. If we are not, then I don’t feel taxpayers should pick up the tab. The Epicenter is a great venue and has added to the quality of life.

Question 9 — Do you support or oppose the full and complete disclosure of all financial activity by all city funded non-profits, such as Center City Partners?

Rao: Yes, I would be in favor of this. I believe full disclosure is necessary for City funded nonprofits, at least the portion that the city actually funds. I do not want disclosure to mean more burdensome regulations on nonprofits but a method that provides accountability for our citizens.

Question 10 — Should the city extend its option agreement with CMP Carolina Theatre past mid-October? Why?

Rao: No. I would like to see this project succeed as the restoration of the Theatre would be great in preserving the history. Bu t unfortunately, as others have faced challenging economic times, this developer is facing them as well.

Question 11 — Please identify one city department which you believe spends too much.

Rao: I don’t want to answer this question without doing the due diligence on each department. I am calling for an audit of the entire budget by a bipartisan commission to see what is necessary and what is not. I am in favor of eliminating vacant positions.