This year’s city council election consists of seven members of the Wilmington community vying for the council’s three open seats.
 
Early one-stop voting started Oct. 19, absentee ballot requests are due Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 7. More details on voting can be found on the Board of Elections website.
 
The Greater Wilmington Business Journal asked each candidate questions about their campaign to see how the candidates compare.

Kevin Spears - Wilmington City Council

Occupation: IT Professional 
Political experience: Wilmington City Council incumbent
Political affiliation: Democrat

GWBJ: If elected, what changes would you like to see in Wilmington during your term?
Spears: "When re-elected I would continue with the initiative of keeping people informed, bringing innovative ideas to the city and focusing on getting our citizens equal access to resources. There has to be a fair disbursement of the services we provide in the city!"

GWBJ: What do you want people to take away from your campaign?
Spears: "I want people to take away from my campaign that leadership isn’t cookie cutter, you can be a great leader and not fit the mold of what some think leadership looks like. Yes, I am a Black man with dreadlocks that grew up all over Wilmington -- mainly the inner city -- but I am highly educated, motivated and very connected to all people of this city. You just have to have the drive and passion to do the work. You don’t have to be of a certain demographic or profession to be an elected official."

GWBJ: Would you put an emphasis on affordable housing in the city? How would you approach the issue?
Spears: "There is already an emphasis on affordable housing. I have to continue to push the envelope on how to get better projects in our area without drastically changing the city as we know it."

GWBJ: What is your approach to growth and development in Wilmington?
Spears: "We cannot stop the growth. Wilmington is on the radar, but we can focus on the people who are already here, we can do more to help them remain in their homes, to help them understand the value of the places where they live. The development will continue to happen as well but it has to be done smartly and in moderation. The growth and development is a gift and a curse because our little city can only handle so much."

GWBJ: If elected, which industry would you like to see grow in your next term?
Spears: "Just on Tuesday [Oct. 17], we passed three agenda items that brings a technology training program to the city. The focus will be on training people from low socio-economic backgrounds to be trained in the field of IT and to get the jobs in the IT sector that most local companies say they can’t find local talent for. An initiative brought to you by Councilman Spears."

GWBJ: What do you bring to the role that the other candidates do not?
Spears: "I bring the role of an everyday individual that lives a regular life but is so connected to this city that I have been chosen and trusted to improve it for everyone, even if they refuse to acknowledge it."

To read the Q&A from the other Wilmington City Council candidates, click here.