Nick GibietisNickforDavidson.com |
“I am the proverbial new kid on the block,” says Nick Gibietis, who moved to Davidson in April 2008.
Mr. Gibietis (gi-BEE-tis) says he has enjoyed getting involved in the community and wants to give back. “What’s inspired me is really Davidson itself,” he said, and he want to be a part of the town’s leadership going forward.
In an interview and in his campaign literature, he emphasizes his experience living in other places, including major cities and their suburbs. (They include Atlanta, Michigan, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and New York City.) And he thinks he can bring that experience to the task of helping Davidson make decisions about its future.
An Apple sales executive working with big companies, Mr. Gibietis thinks the Town Board needs to take a more business-like approach to managing town affairs. “Taking and running a town a little bit more like a business does make it a little bit more effective,” he said. He also thinks Davidson needs to better understand business as it tries to recruit new businesses to town.
Other issues he’s concerned about include transit – he notes that’s been a mass transit rider in other places he’s lived – as well as growth. “No matter what the economy is today, Davidson will grow. … How do you balance the desire to keep it rural, but yet add to the population,” he said.
He’d also like to see the town work on more environmental initiatives, and preserve its historic character.
Asked about the MI-Connection cable system, he said he understands the town’s view of the system as a critical utility, though he said it’s “a unique approach” he’s never seen before.
“I think that’s a great idea. At the same time, it still has to be competitive with the current offerings out there. AT&T and DirecTV and the other companies out there are not going to be nice about trying to take your business out of the town,” Mr. Gibietis said. “It’s got to be something that’s financially viable and not be a financial burden on the town, just for the sake of having a utility here.”
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