Doris Allison
♦ Age: 67
♦ Address: 1200 Ninth Street, Statesville
♦ Education: Statesville High School, Mitchell Community College and Catawba Community College.
♦ Professional Background: Worked for the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and worked in the manufacturing industry before retiring.
♦ Elected Experience: Eight years as the city council woman for Ward 3 with dramatic changes in the community by partnering with law enforcement, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations for growth initiatives.
♦ Community experience: 25 years of volunteering in the area, assisting in marches and clean ups within the community to encourage citizens and law enforcement to partner with churches and nonprofits for positive changes in the community.
Q&A
IFN: What motivated you to run for this office? If you are elected, what will your top three priorities be? What can the council do to move the needle in these areas?
ALLISON: I ran because I saw pain and potential in South Statesville. When I first took office, we were gripped by fear—daylight shootings, neglected streets, families losing hope. Today, we’ve seen a 97% drop in crime and new homes rising where despair once lived. That transformation fuels me.
If re-elected, my top priorities are affordable housing, youth investment, and equitable infrastructure. The council must move with urgency and integrity—partnering with developers who respect our communities, funding programs that uplift our children, and ensuring every neighborhood gets its fair share of resources. We’ve proven revival is possible. Now we must sustain it.
IFN: Voters want their elected officials to understand their lived experiences as they consider policy and budget decisions. Tell us about your family and how their experiences in Statesville have shaped your views on major issues where the city council can make a difference.
ALLISON: My family’s story is woven into the fabric of Statesville. My parents taught me the value of hard work and dignity. My brother’s death—senseless and unresolved—ignited my fight for justice and accountability. I’ve raised children here, watched neighbors struggle with housing and wages, and stood beside families grieving violence.
These experiences aren’t abstract to me—they’re personal. That’s why I fight for safe streets, fair pay, and opportunities for every child. I carry my family’s legacy into every council meeting, every vote, every decision.
IFN: The City Council has or will soon approve the rezoning and annexation for the massive Compass Data Center project. This project will add an estimated $1 billion or more to the city’s tax base and generate millions of new tax dollars for the city. What will your priorities be for spending this money? As part of your plan, will you support a reduction in the property tax rate to give homeowners some relief?
ALLISON: This is a generational opportunity—but only if we invest wisely. My priorities are clear: fund youth programs, repair aging infrastructure, and expand affordable housing.
We must ensure this windfall reaches the families who’ve carried Statesville through hard times. I support targeted property tax relief, especially for seniors and working families. But I also believe in reinvesting—because potholes don’t fix themselves, and our children deserve more than crumbs. Let’s be bold and fair.
IFN: The cost of housing, including monthly rent and purchase prices for starter homes, has increased dramatically in the last five years. As a council member, would you support the use of taxpayer dollars to help first-time homebuyers? If so, what is your vision for such a program? If not, do you have any ideas for helping residents struggling to pay rent or buy their first home?
ALLISON: Absolutely. Homeownership is a cornerstone of stability, and too many families are locked out. I support using taxpayer dollars to create downpayment- assistance programs, especially for first-time buyers from historically underserved communities. We should also incentivize developers to build starter homes—not just luxury units—and expand rent-to-own models. Housing is not just an economic issue—it’s a moral one. Everyone deserves a place to call home.
IFN: Iredell-Statesville Schools previously asked the City Council to help fund a pre-K classroom for low-income children to ensure that they are ready to begin kindergarten. The cost was in the neighborhood of $200,000. The council declined to provide funding. If elected, would you support such an initiative? Explain your decision.
ALLISON: Yes, I would support it—and I’d fight for it. $200,000 is a small price to pay for a child’s future. Early education levels the playing field, especially for children from low-income families. We talk about economic development, but it starts with brain development. If we want a thriving Statesville tomorrow, we must invest in our youngest residents today.
IFN: What makes you the best candidate to represent the interests of ALL Statesville residents during the next four years?
ALLISON: I’ve lived the struggle. I’ve led the change. I’ve listened to your whispers and your shouts. From Hidden Lakes to Armstrong Street, I’ve fought for every voice to be heard. I don’t just talk—I deliver. My record shows it: crime down, homes built, partnerships formed. I bring integrity, empathy, and grit. I’m not running to be popular—I’m running to be effective. Statesville deserves leadership that’s rooted in love, resilience, and results. That’s who I am.