Richard Turner

Title: Mayor

Municipality: City of Belmont

Position Interested In: District Representative - District 11

Tell us why you would like to serve in a leadership position at the League. In particular, specify goals you would like to accomplish as an officer or board member and indicate how, if attained, they will help to achieve Vision 2030 – the League’s future vision of how cities and towns will operate in 2030.

I have decided to seek a leadership position on the NCLM board due to the growth our state is experiencing and the impact it will have on our municipalities. As a board member it is incumbent upon us to clearly communicate our municipal needs and challenges to our legislators and explain our approach and process to our residents. We (the municipalities) need to be more self determining. We cannot lose any more ground on local control issues. I will bring strong communication skills to communicate our goals with the public and with our legislators.

Advocating for cost sharing via Interlocal Agreements. Empowering our local municipalities and local leaders to make decisions based on local needs is common sense and good government in my opinion. I believe that these ideas and goals dovetail into the overall vision for now and for 2030.

Tell us about your experience as a municipal official. You may want to include information on your service on the municipal governing body, other related boards and special areas of interest.

My experience as a municipal official began with two concurrent terms on Belmont's Planning and Zoning Board and Belmont's Park and Recreation Board serving as member, Chairman, Vice Chairman during my tenure.

I was elected to Council in 2013 and served in that capacity until I was elected Mayor this past November.

Other community service in Belmont consists of representing Belmont for nine years on the GCLMPO ( Gaston Cleveland Lincoln Metropolitan Planning Organization ) as member, Vice Chairman and Chairman. I served two years as Belmont's representative on COG ( Council on Government ).

While on Council, I served as liaison on our Parks and Recreation Board and on Keep Belmont Beautiful and on the Safe Routes to School initiative. As Mayor, I am a member of the leagues Mayor's Association.

Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities.

I was enrolled at CPCC in Charlotte, working towards my associates degree in transportation. During this time, my mother developed breast cancer. Due to my father having just started with a new company, they had not qualified for insurance. When they did, the cancer was deemed a pre-existing condition.

Medical bills were accruing, and I left school to help my family. This took some time. I began my career in transportation, logistics, and customs brokerage. I did not return to finish my degree.

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Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees?

CityVision Annual Conference
Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
Regional Meetings
Legislative Lobby Days
Affiliate Organization: NC Mayor's Association

Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.

I am very passionate about retaining local control. I have the ability to bring boards to consensus. I listen well, but hearing someone is key. You have to understand their position and sometimes understand what they are not saying. I have strong relationships with our County Commissioners and our delegation in Raleigh. I believe I can serve as an asset to the board as a member and as the representative of district 11.