Alisia Bergsman
Background and Experience
I am currently a Vice-Chair of the Huntersville Parks and Rec Advisory Commission and serving my 2nd three-year term. I have completed both Huntersville 101 and the League of Women Voters Civics 101 classes. Previously, I served on a racial justice task force under former Mayor Jill Swain, and I am a Board-appointed member of the CMS Community Equity Committee. My professional background includes nonprofit management experience, fundraising and development, case management, advocacy, and community education. In addition to the above, I am also the VP of the North Meck HS Band Booster Club and have served on the School Leadership Team at Grand Oak Elementary and Piedmont IB Middle School. I am a past Chair of Precinct 143 and the current Chair of Precinct 207. I am an active member of Dems of North Meck, Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County, and LGBTQ Dems.
Reason for Running
The Town of Huntersville has experienced unprecedented growth over the last decade. I am running for Commissioner because we need leadership in the Town that values equity, inclusivity, and sustainable growth while working to address critical concerns like the housing affordability shortage, lagging infrastructure improvements, preserving historical neighborhoods from gentrification, and protecting the environment. I will lead from an equity-informed lens and will promote co-governance models that specifically empower Black, Brown, working-class, gender-diverse, and/or LGBTQ+ residents of Huntersville.
Values and Priorities
Sustainable Growth
Work towards creating a liveable, sustainable community that can accommodate increased demands on infrastructure and services, while strengthening the linkage between the rural and suburban parts of the town. What this looks like: funding a full-time fire department (all firefighters in Huntersville are currently part-time), developing a mental health crisis response team with the police department to improve public safety and keep law enforcement's focus on crime; a focus on walkable activity centers, and mobility improvements like greenways, bikeways, sidewalk connectivity, and innovative public transportation programs.
Housing Affordability
Prioritize addressing the critical affordable housing shortage so that people of all income levels and ages can live and work here and Huntersville can continue to benefit from a diverse workforce. What this looks like: this can be achieved through a variety of initiatives such as public-private and community partnerships, the creation of an Inclusionary Housing Advisory Commission, and requiring developers to provide or pay for a certain percentage of affordable housing units with any new development.
Equity for All
Advancing equity and inclusion in our community. What this looks like: the passage of a non-discrimination ordinance that extends protections from discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, and the creation of an equity and inclusion program to examine policies, practices, budget allocations, and programs that may perpetuate systemic inequities.
Environmental Stewardship
Take further steps in the conservation and protection of local natural resources including air, water, and land. This includes divesting from harmful practices that have led to the exploitation of marginalized communities. What this looks like: environmental justice initiatives such as exploring solutions to lessen the harmful impact the Griffin Brothers Landfill has on Pottstown, strengthening tree canopy ordinances, and creating a climate action plan to identify policies and actions the town can take to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Transparency and Accountability
Develop programs and policies that will improve transparency and relationships between Town Hall and residents, as well as with other governing bodies and municipalities to restore trust with our residents, small business owners, and community partners. What this looks like: a legislative agenda that reflects the needs of our community, improvement in disseminating information for residents on what local government is doing, and increasing opportunities for public engagement.