Name: Isaac Baker Jr.

Age: 59

Profession: Associate pastor of First Baptist Church-Mahan Street.

Education: Not available.

Why are you seeking this office?

Because I have the experience, ingenuity and compassion that a visionary leader needs to lead this city to new heights in the revitalization of our older neighborhoods and the birth of new developments, whether it be industrial, commercial or residential

Why should a citizen vote for you?

Because I am committed to continue new businesses to our city and borough that provide jobs with good pay and benefits to our citizens.

The City Council has asked City Manager R. Steven Herbert to study ways to fund a 3 cent tax cut in his proposed $277 million budget for 2004-2005 fiscal year. That equates to approximately $1.4 million. Is this tax reduction feasible right now and if so, where do believe the cuts should be made?

The city manager did a great job with the proposed new budget, despite the criticism of some that City Manager Steve Herbert spends, spends, spends.

As a current member of the Industrial Development Authority, I have found him to be somewhat different. He only spends it if it is required. He knows what is already in the pipe line, what’s coming down the pipe and the amount of money that will be required. . A tax reduction based on current and future projects is not feasible right now.

What is the most important action the City Council has taken over the past four years?

One of the most important actions has been the creation of the Unified Development Ordinance as well as the purchase of the Obici house and Sleepy Hole Golf Course.

Suffolk is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States today, with more than 1,000 new homes being built in the city last year. Is the city adequately equipped to handle this much growth at one time?

What can the city do to better manage it?

Answer not available.

The city’s is embarking on a five-year review of 2018 Comprehensive Plan, the city’s road map for managed growth. Do changes need to be made to this document?

I have not yet seen the document. I’m not familiar enough with its contents to speak about it.

What are the most pressing issues facing the borough for which you are seeking office? How would you address them?

The most pressing issues the city is facing today is making sure we have the funds available to provide better services to all of the people of Whaleyville and Suffolk, while retaining a fiscally conservative budget.

— Compiled by Allison T. Williams