A Man for the People
Mark Burrows' well-earned influence works for everyone
We’ve seen and heard way too much about power over the past decade. It can be craved, pursued and bought; it can be grabbed and wielded.
On the other hand, here in America, a leader has the power to help change communities for the better by working with and for the people. This year many Democratic candidates have spent their lives earning this kind of influence. One of them in the Western North Carolina mountain district where I live, is Mark Burrows. He’s running for the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Burrows wants to reverse the results of a wide-spread loss of jobs in the region. It’s not okay with him that public schools here are in disrepair and teachers are underpaid. Health care is a problem for all but the corporation that ruined it. For over a decade, the elected officials in control have put money and power ahead of their constituents.
Burrows’ many years of local experience include working for affordable housing and small business. His Project Empathy brought together elected and community leaders, to talk about difficult issues. He has led the Economic Development Advisory Board, the Transylvania Partnership, and the County Arts Council.
When I learned of his Master of Environmental Science degree from Duke, I realized that his care for our air, water and recreational resources, and for the planet, is part of his care for our people.
Recently Mark answered my questions about his campaign.
Q: Mark, how does your professional experience help qualify you for this office?
A: In my more than 30 years as Transylvania County’s planning, economic and community development director, I led the County’s efforts to recruit new businesses. I’ve led civic and non-profit organizations here and in Western NC. I studied local issues, heard people’s concerns, and found ways to create policies for successful enterprises.
Q: What are people in your district most worried about?
A: At dozens of meet-and-greets, I’ve heard voters talk about women’s reproductive freedoms, and affordable housing. A close third is the defunding of public education and lack of support for teaching professionals.
Q: In the General Assembly how would you vote differently from your opponent?
A: My opponent usually votes with the Republican caucus, so I would disagree with Mr. Clampitt on most issues. For example, I would support women’s reproductive freedom. And I would oppose funding Opportunity Vouchers that weaken our public schools.
Q: How does our state Representative affect our daily lives?
A: Most voters don’t realize how much our elected Representatives influence things like the environment, health care, women’s reproductive freedoms, taxes, the funding of essential services like our Department of Motor Vehicles, and the defunding of our public schools.
It’s a real problem when both the state House and Senate have supermajorities and can override a Governor’s veto – thereby forcing an extremist agenda.
Q: What is your view on school vouchers, and on public schools as opposed to private?
A: I believe in high-quality public education for all, regardless of social or economic status, or of race. Our state’s economic success of the last 20 to 30 years is largely due to the investments we made in our public schools by Governors Hunt (D) and Martin (R). But today, Opportunity Vouchers are directing public money to private schools. At first, this program had an income cap, or limit, to help lower-income families “afford” private schools. Now that cap is gone.
Two more points: First, private schools have no minimum standards to follow, as our public schools do.
Second, we are already seeing the re-segregation of our schools. Affluent, mostly white children attend private schools while lower-income children, typically of color, are forced to go to public schools.
Q: While in office could you help us here, where Commissioners have not yet sold the school bonds we voted for in 2018, and school buildings are deteriorating?
A: There is probably no direct legislative bill or action to resolve this. But a Representative could try to engage all parties in finding State and non-profit resources for the schools.
Q: Did a teacher or mentor inspire you to work for local government?
A: I grew up in a family where nearly all the women were educators and the men were in civic organizations like Rotary or were retired from the Army or Navy. Common to all was a belief in community over self. And I want to acknowledge the inspiration that my wife Betsy, an educator of over 40 years, has given me as a mentor, advocate, and truth teller.
Q: Are you recommending any books to friends right now?
A: The Demagogue’s Playbook by Eric Posner and Indecent Assembly by Gene Nichol. Other books on my nightstand and desk include Presidential Playbook 2020 by John Burke, How to Read and Why by Harold Bloom, and mini norsk – tysk visuell ordbook (don’t ask).
Q: Mark, this is not a question, but I did ask (Google). It’s a mini visual dictionary! Very good.
Q: When you were in Norway last year, was there anything about their local government that you’d like to see here?
A: In Halden, similar in population to Brevard, I met with local government officials, volunteered with their Chamber of Commerce, and attended weekly Rotary meetings and did volunteer work with them.
To answer your question, first, I would like to see here their emphasis on preparing roads, water/sewer, and rail for climate change. Second, I saw far greater cooperation there between government entities. Finally, life was healthier there, with a greater emphasis on family than on work and consumerism.
Q: What can we tell local voters about why you’re running for the NC House?
A: In Norway people trust each other and their government. Back here in the States, I realized that trust is missing. Partisanship and culture wars stop us from finding ways to make people’s lives better. So I am running to help support working class families across Jackson, Swain and Transylvania Counties.
Q: With the parties so divided, would you try to work across the aisle in the NC Legislature?
A: Absolutely. When I led the County’s economic development efforts, I was able to bring together the chairs of the local Republican and Democratic parties to brainstorm ways to support our community. Listening to and helping individuals and groups find common ground is one of my strengths.
Q: Is restoring transparency a priority for the NC General Assembly?
A: Yes. Last year’s Republican-led budget included a provision for legislators to hide their work emails from the public. The shame of this was that they tucked it into the budget instead of making it a separate bill to be discussed and voted on.
Q: If you could accomplish in your term one major thing, what would it be?
A: To make North Carolina public schools (K-12, community colleges and public universities) the pride of the Southeast, and perhaps of the entire United States.
Thank you, Mark Burrows. Your responses remind me of the way I began today’s interview, talking about how an elected Representative can best use the power of the office. Their goal can be to work to empower the people they serve.
Thanks for this posting, Deda. Enlightening and uplifting!
Mark Burrows is a great candidate! We are fortunate to have him running for office. If voters are astute, they will definitely vote for him!