Name
Joe Pollino
State
1253 Firethorne Club Drive
Marvin, NC 28173
Subdivision
Firethorne
Phone
(704) 2925301
Email
Jpollinojr@gmail.com
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business, Arizona State University
Occupation
Mayor, Village of Marvin
Briefly describe yourself and your background.
I am married to my wife, Jennifer, for over 29 years, and we have three children who all attended Marvin Elementary, Middle, and High School. One has finished college, while the other two are just beginning their college journeys. We’ve lived in Marvin since July 2005 and are active parishioners at St. Matthew's Catholic Church.
Throughout the years, I’ve been deeply involved in our community-volunteering at our church, supporting the Marvin Ridge High School Band, serving on the Firethorne HOA Board, and proudly holding the position of Mayor since 2013. Shortly after moving here, I obtained my North Carolina real estate license.
I’ve lived in several states-including PA, AZ, CA, CO, OH, and NC- and owned homes in all but California, as well as South Carolina. Choosing Marvin as our home was intentional-It’s a special place, and I’m committed to preserving what makes it so unique.
Describe your experience and accomplishments.
Union County has seen tremendous growth over the 20 years my family and I have lived here. Like many of you, we were drawn by the community’s promise. When faced with change, we can be part of the problem, remain on the sidelines, or be part of the solution—I chose the latter. Since becoming your Mayor in 2013, I’ve worked with Council to achieve meaningful progress, including: adopting a Council-Manager form of government, constructing Village Hall, completing three key roundabouts, securing over $4 million in grants, and standardizing waste management. We rezoned the Heritage District, rewrote ordinances, updated the Land Use Plan, added new parks and trails, and acquired over half of the state roads for local control. We also expanded public safety by adding full-time Sheriff’s officers, helped form WUMA to strengthen regional ties, and have consistently kept taxes low.
What would be your top priorities for your term in office?
Union County faces challenges—some rooted in past county-level decisions, others shaped by evolving state laws. Navigating these while preserving our community’s character remains a top priority. I'm proud that Marvin continues to have the region’s lowest municipal tax rate among towns maintaining their own roads—and by a wide margin.
With the Village now over 95% built out, my focus is shifting to the thoughtful development of the Heritage District, ensuring it reflects our long-term vision.
I plan to attend as many Coffee with Council meetings as possible to stay connected and hear your concerns directly. I've also requested a candidate forum, tentatively scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Village Hall.
I believe lasting solutions start with open dialogue—and I encourage everyone to stay informed and get involved.
How do you plan to address those priorities?
We’re in the final stages of launching a new Village-wide survey to gather resident feedback and guide future Council decisions. One of my ongoing priorities is keeping taxes low while maintaining high-quality services. To support this, I plan to continue encouraging voluntary annexation.
Currently, some properties adjacent to Marvin benefit from our infrastructure and amenities without contributing to the tax base. In certain neighborhoods, a neighbor across the street may not even reside in Marvin—yet still enjoys the community we’ve built.
This imbalance—representation without taxation—is a statewide concern. I support working with legislators to address these “doughnut hole” gaps. One possible solution is requiring properties in these areas to join Marvin upon any deed transfer. This would help strengthen our budget and keep taxes low for all residents.
What is your long-term vision for the Village and how do you plan to make it a reality?
Like many of you, my family chose Marvin for its low-density character, lower taxes, and access to top-rated schools. Preserving those qualities remains central to my long-term vision for our village.
One key lesson I've learned: if we're not part of the decision-making process, we lose control over what’s built around us. A clear example is the area where Kohl’s and a three-story storage facility now stand—directly across from million-dollar homes. That land could have been annexed into Marvin, but a previous council declined. As a result, the county—not Marvin—approved the development.
We can't afford to let that happen again. We must proactively shape our future, ensuring growth that aligns with our community's character. That includes exploring strategic annexation, preventing further de-annexations, and strengthening our influence over development near our borders.