Jim Whitley thinks China Grove can save some money.
The owner of Whitley’s Auto, Tire and Lube on North Main Street is running for the town council and said he would like to see the town manager’s position abolished.
Whitley, 51, said he wants to see wasteful spending cut from the budget.
“We have a couple of board members coming off that are conservative,” Whitley said, referring to council members Troy Elliott and Harold Simpson, who are not running for re-election. “I want to make sure that voice remains on the board.”
Whitley said he would work to promote business growth through small business incentives in China Grove.
“There is very little help for businesses in town,” Whitley said. “We should be helping businesses that are here and attract new businesses to the area.”
Whitley should know. He has been in business for himself — first as a paint contractor, then in auto repair and service — since 1983.
The lifelong China Grove resident said tax, water and sewer rates need to come down.
“There are a lot of people on fixed incomes in this town,” Whitley said. “Seems like taxes are going higher and higher.”-Ben McNeely
