I am pleased to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Boone Town Council.  It has been an honor and privilege to serve on the Council these past six years. When I ran six years ago, I promised to represent our community’s interests.  I am proud of my record of accomplishments during my two terms which include:

• Managing growth by adherence to our Comprehensive Plan
• Guiding development by using community values
• Revitalizing our (historic) downtown as a vibrant retail and cultural center
• Advocating for our local businesses
• Protecting neighborhood integrity
• Promoting diverse and affordable housing
• Preserving green space and natural areas
• Ensuring openness in government
• Encouraging citizen participation
• Enhancing alternative transportation
• Supporting community sustainability
• Maintaining a high quality of life while attracting responsible development
• Cultivating more collaborative relations with ASU and Watauga County
• Adhering to sound fiscal and resource management

I bring vision, leadership, dedication and integrity to the Town Council, carefully and fairly considering all issues and basing decisions on objective information as well as input from Boone citizens.  I have been a leader on the Town Council that has abandoned the status quo and that has been willing to take a stand on the many difficult issues facing our community.  I am an active council member that commits the time and energy required to get the job done.  I represent no special interests and I am strongly committed to enhancing the quality of life not only for the short term but for generations to come.

While we have accomplished much, there are many important and pressing issues that our community needs to continue to address including:

• Smart growth development
• Protection of our neighborhoods’ character and viability
• Water and sewer needs
• Affordable housing
• Employment opportunities that provide a living wage
• Zero waste
• Enhancement of working relationships with the County, ASU and DOT
• Protection of our quality of life, including our environment

I have been actively involved with these issues and will continue to make these issues a priority in another term.

I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA degree in Political Science in 1979 and with a MSW degree in Social Work in 1983.  I have served on the Boone Town Council since December 2001.  Prior to being elected to the Boone Town Council, I served on the Boone Area Planning Commission and coordinated the Greenview Mobile Home Park relocation.  I have worked in the human service field for the past 24 years and bring extensive community experience.  In 2002, I organized WeCAN, Watauga Crisis Assistance Network, a faith based ministry.  I am currently employed by the Hospitality House as the Executive Director. I am 49 years old and have been married to Andrew Mason for 25 years.  We have two children, Carolyn age 24, a graduate of the nursing program at UNC Greensboro and John age 22, a recent graduate of Virginia Tech. I am now the proud grandmother of a ten month old grandson, Drew.   

I bring a real passion for our community and a commitment to work on preserving and enhancing the quality of life so unique to this area.  I hope you will join me as we continue to build a better Boone for today and generations to come.  I welcome questions about my candidacy and can be reached at 265-3212 or masonlo@aol.com.