Justin Crews
♦ Age: 42
♦ Family: Married to my wife for almost 17 years; together we have seven wonderful children.
♦ Education: Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering
♦ Professional Experience: Electrical Distribution Designer, responsible for planning and designing power distribution.
♦ Volunteer/Community Service: Former active member of the Town of Mooresville Community Relations Committee, volunteer/board member of Fifth Street Ministries, and volunteer/board member of The Kindness Closet.
Q&A
IFN: Why are you running for office? What will your top three priorities be if you are elected in November? Is reducing the tax rate an option?
CREWS: I’m running for office because I want to ensure Mooresville grows responsibly, sustainably, and in a way that benefits all residents. Our town is changing fast, and it’s time for leadership that listens and plans ahead.
My top three priorities are:
1. Responsible Growth and Infrastructure – ensuring development aligns with existing capacity for roads, schools, and utilities.
2. Transparency and Community Engagement – giving residents a stronger voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods.
3. Environmental Accountability and Housing – balancing growth with environmental protection and supporting attainable housing options.
Reducing the tax rate isn’t realistic right now, but being transparent about spending and prioritizing efficiency absolutely is.
IFN: If you are a challenger, what is your assessment of the work the mayor and town board have done during the past two years?
CREWS: Over the past two years, the mayor and town board have made some progress, but too many decisions have prioritized growth over balance. We’ve seen projects approved before infrastructure, schools, and public safety were ready to support them. This pattern has led to congestion, frustration, and a lack of trust in how development is managed.
As a challenger, I believe it’s time for a shift in leadership philosophy—from reactive to proactive. We need a board that doesn’t just approve growth but plans for it with clear timelines, accountability, and transparency. Mooresville’s progress shouldn’t come at the cost of its residents’ quality of life. It’s time to slow down, assess where we are, and make sure that future growth benefits people first, not just developers or short-term interests.
IFN: One of the town board candidates has raised concerns about transparency in the operations of the town government. What is your assessment of the current mayor and board’s commitment to conducting the public’s business in public? What are your ideas for improving the town’s performance in this area?
CREWS: Transparency works best when it’s a two-way partnership between the town and its residents. I believe most people aren’t asking for perfection; they’re asking to be informed, respected, and included in the process. The mayor and board have made progress toward openness, but we can go further in making engagement a regular part of how Mooresville operates.
I would advocate for neighborhood-level updates before large projects are approved and clear communication summaries after each board meeting. When people have the facts early and feel heard, trust grows naturally. My goal is to make transparency a shared value, not just a checkbox.
IFN: The town has lost several dedicated, long-time employees during the past two years. What is your assessment of the work culture in town hall, the police department and other departments? What role do the mayor and town board play in making sure town employees, including department heads, feel valued and empowered to do their best work?
CREWS: I believe the loss of long-time employees reflects the issue of leadership and morale. Every employee—from town hall to public works—should feel valued, supported, and heard. The mayor and board set the tone for that culture. As commissioner, I would advocate for regular employee feedback, professional development opportunities, and leadership that listens to those doing the day-to-day work of serving our community.
IFN: It appears the traffic situation in Mooresville will get worse before it gets better due to current road projects and additional development. What responsibility do the town board and mayor bear for the current traffic congestion? What can the next mayor and town board do to make things better?
CREWS: Anyone who drives through Mooresville knows traffic has become one of our biggest daily challenges. Residents are tired of sitting in backups while watching new developments rise around them. The truth is, growth has moved faster than our roads and intersections can handle, and the frustration is understandable.
As commissioner, I want to bring a resident’s perspective and a practical plan to the table. That means slowing approvals until infrastructure catches up, pressing for stronger cooperation with NCDOT, and making sure developers contribute fairly to the road improvements their projects require. We can’t stop growth—but we can make sure it’s done responsibly. Mooresville’s traffic shouldn’t control us; we should be planning ahead to control it.
IFN: If you are running for a Ward seat, what is the most pressing issue in your ward? What will you do to ensure other board members and the mayor understand the importance of addressing this issue?
CREWS: The most pressing issue in Ward 4 is overdevelopment without infrastructure support, especially around NC-150 and Brawley School Road. I’ll work to ensure other board members understand that Ward 4’s challenges affect the whole town: traffic, school capacity, and neighborhood safety. I’ll advocate for measured growth that reflects the community’s long-term interests, not just short-term gains.
IFN: Why are you the best candidate?
CREWS: I’m not a career politician, I’m a working professional, a father, and an active member of this community. My background in engineering and infrastructure gives me firsthand experience with how development impacts people’s daily lives. I believe in common-sense solutions, accountability, and leading with integrity. My goal is simple: to move Mooresville forward—responsibly, transparently, and together.