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Malone files for county commission

by Anna Meadows, Wake Weekly Co-editor

April 1, 2004

He's served on the town board of adjustment, the planning board and was elected two years ago to the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners.

Now Chris Malone takes his political aspirations to the county level.

The 46-year-old Republican announced Monday he will seek the District 6 seat on the Wake County Board of Commissioners. The spot is currently held by four-term Commissioner Betty Lou Ward, a Democrat.

Malone is running on a platform of reducing waste in county government -- and fighting any plans to hike property taxes.

At the heart of his philosophy is finding "a better way to build a mouse trap," Malone said.

Wake commissioners are currently taking a hard look at the county budget to spot any redundancies or waste, and Malone said he applauds that effort and wants to continue it on an annual basis.

"We have to see what we can do cheaper," he said. "I don't want to see anyone hurt by cuts, but we need to do things a little differently."

The county budget has grown from expenditures equaling $740 per person in 1996 to $1,006 per person in the current fiscal year.

The figures are based on general fund expenditures of $706.4 million this year and a population of 702,000 and expenditures of $383.1 million in 1996 with a population of 517,000.

"There are some people who think the best way to fix something is to create a new project and throw money at it," he said.

The best way to increase government revenue is by creating economic development, Malone said. He supports spending money at community colleges to promote certification and retraining programs that will help Wake County's unemployed find jobs or for the underemployed, create new careers.

Malone said he will also look for ways to cut taxes as a means to "propel economic growth and ultimately increase government revenues."

Malone, a New Jersey native, has lived in Wake Forest since 1991 and works for MJM Investigations of Raleigh. He and his wife Becky, a nurse, have three children, ages 7-10, who attend Franklin Academy charter school.

He said the small community has inspired him to return to the foundations of his youth: church, community and service.

He is an active member of the Wake County Taxpayers' Association and has served as mayor pro tempore for the Wake Forest town board.

Other points in Malone's platform:

Freezing senior citizens' property taxes at their current dollar value. Malone said he will have to check on the legality of this option.

Expediting the opening of a Wake Technical Community College northern campus.

Calling for what he termed "a real accounting" of the Triangle Transit Authority's proposed light rail system, including a tabulation of all taxes and fees collected to build, operate and maintain the system.

Supporting the parks and greenway system to improve the quality of life for residents of Wake County.

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Last Updated On: April 1, 2004