With interest in this year’s elections and concerns about the economy running high, approximately 90 candidates and citizens turned out for the VFW Post 9881 Ladies Auxiliary candidates’ forum, Sept. 29 in Biscoe. Candidates from the federal down to the local level were each given five minutes to speak and invited to stay after the presentations to talk one on one with interested citizens.
County Commissioner District 1
Jim Matheny, the Republican in a three-way race in this district, led off the candidates for that seat. Matheny emphasized the need for economic development and spoke about several issues critical for that.
“A lot of people do a lot of different things related to economic development but it’s uncoordinated,” he said. “Commissioners need to focus on plans to help existing businesses, to help resourceful citizens get into business and to recruit new business by providing what they’re looking for.”
Among the things businesses are looking for, Matheny emphasized education, the need to provide training and state of the art educational devices, meeting capital needs and recruiting and retaining good teachers so that students can compete in a 21st century global market.
Also important is the county’s unspoiled environment. “We have an opportunity to keep it that way,” he said, calling for intelligent growth and developing land in a responsible way, including mixed use developments where people can walk from their homes to the services they need, especially in light of the energy situation. “We need a land use plan,” he added, noting Montgomery is one of the few counties in the state still without one.
Infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer, schools, expanded public safety services and broadband Internet are also needs for economic development, he said. “We need commissioners to take the lead, come together, produce comprehensive plans and get it done,” he concluded as his time ran out.
Danny McRae, running as an independent, also was called for time. McRae spoke about his background, service on the county planning board and his career in construction and agriculture.
“One of my concerns is our people,” he said. “We have great people, many not much above the poverty level, and with the poor economy they’re paying all they can pay on taxes,” he said.
He called for expansion of water to all citizens in the county and sewer for the lake developments, many with subsized lots. He promised to work with the schools and MCC and called for commissioners to become more involved in county business.
“Commissioner need to be more involved in decisions and have a say so in how we spend our dollars…more than one meeting a month,” he said, calling for more commissioner oversight on spending and hiring department heads, “not turning a manager loose with a check book…and making sure department heads understand we’re a rural county and understand the people of Montgomery County.”
He also emphasized the need for a land use plan and said he had been working with the EDC and large landowners “so we are ready when an industry comes to us. Timing is everything,” he concluded.
Debbie Walser, running as a Democrat, spoke about her family background, career at Southern Correctional Institution and community service.
“I want to make a difference in the quality of life and government in this county. I want to make our government the best it can be,” she said. Among the challenges facing the county she named job opportunities, educational opportunities and infrastructure and other needs. “I strongly support all of them…It’s essential to provide citizen services.”
She acknowledged the need to cut waste and save money with the help of department heads. “It’s important to be conservative with people’s tax dollars but provide services to be progressive,” she stated.
She called for broadening the tax base by capitalizing on the county’s assets. “I promise one thing, to listen to concerns, to solicit input and work with state and local officials and other commissioners to make this a place of a truly golden opportunity,” she concluded.
County Commissioner District 2
Edgar Morris, a Democrat and real estate agent/appraiser, spoke about his service to the county on the Board of Elections, Chamber of Commerce and Relay for Life. He said his platform was the same as when he ran successfully in the primary, being “accountable, accessible and reasonable.”
Among important issues he listed the need to expand the water system, hiring a county planner to provide professional input to the planning board and commissioners, hiring a finance officer to keep up with finances, and the economy.
He called for commissioners to focus on the schools, to “bring them up to modern standards so students are prepared for the work force and jobs.”
On the county budget, he said, “I know we’re struggling like other small counties. We need to tighten our belts and spend our tax dollars wisely. We can’t keep raising taxes to keep up with inflation, but we can’t operate on the same budget as 2000, which leaves the incoming board to deal with a void of the last eight years.”
Jessie Roger Houser, the Star Republican in the race, was not present.
County Commissioner District 3
Republican Susie Pope emphasized her “deep roots” in the county and politics and the need for a change in leadership, promising to be an advocate for all citizens, without favorites or personal agendas.
Noting her work with youth, she said, “One of our greatest needs is programs for youth who are our future. We need activities and things that make them feel vested in our county.” She also called for an “educated financial vision, not tunnel vision,” stating that too often commissioners don’t have timely information to do in depth research before making long lasting financial decisions.
“I’d like to help implement unity on the board,” she said, adding that while there may be differences of opinion commissioners should still be able to work together.
Anthony Copeland, running on the Democrat ticket, spoke mainly about his background, raised in the county and working at Springs Industries before it closed. “I know what it’s like to lose a job and I had to learn and adapt,” he said.
A long time volunteer with mental health causes, he now works as an advocate for inmates needing mental health therapy. He also emphasized his experience on local and state level boards, including the Board of Elections and leadership in the Eighth District Black Leadership Caucus.
Copeland drew chuckles from the nearly all white audience when he touched on his leadership of the local NAACP chapter, noting that perhaps he shouldn’t mention that.
“I believe in Montgomery County and its citizens; they’re good people,” he said, adding that he would be a “fair and honest” commissioner and investigate issues that come before the board.
Board of Education District 2
Incumbent Shirley Threadgill spent her five minutes enthusiastically pointing out successes in the school system, including a dropout rate below state average, fourth and 10th grade writing scores above state average, ROTC at both high schools, online college credit courses, vocational classes in bricklaying and auto mechanics, and the Montgomery Learning Academy.
“We have something wonderful for every child,” she said. “Our teachers, staff and leadership are taking our schools forward and I’m excited about our schools.”
Bret Kennedy agreed that the schools have many positives, which he sees as a substitute teacher in the high schools, as well as in the experience of his own children, two of whom have graduated and gone on to success in college, as well as two still in the local schools.
“As a real estate agent, I see a constant problem with people coming in and asking where the private schools are,” he said. “They say they hear Montgomery County Schools are no good, but I tell them my story and that we have excellent parent involvement and dedicated teachers. I want to bring some new direction, leadership and a new voice on our school board.”
Board of Education District 4.
Steve DeBerry is seeking a seventh term on the board and like Threadgill spoke about the many successes of the school system. “With the leadership of Dr. Peters we’re making improvements not seen in a good while and I’m proud to be a part of that,” he said.
“There is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of challenges,” he added, saying that one of his main goals is to work with county commissioners to increase teacher salary supplements. “We have problems of competition with other systems for quality teachers and administrators and we need to encourage our own students to go into teaching and come home to teach.”
Reggie Jackson said schools face many challenges and need to prioritize needs and commit resources to meet those needs. He spoke about the importance of what he calls “the four Rs.”
Students need reading skills to acquire information from many sources, must develop writing skills needed for work, and arithmetic skills which he said are the basis of the arts, conceptual thinking and the sciences, which they can then apply in the world.
The fourth R is responsibility. “It’s my responsibility and the board’s to provide the resources and the opportunities for students to achieve success,” he said, adding that it’s up to students and families to be responsible for taking advantage of those opportunities.
Board of Education District 5
Ann Long is running unopposed, but spoke briefly about the need to continue her philosophy of making children, families and teachers the school system’s main priority.
U.S. House of Representatives
Congressman Robin Hayes spent much of his time discussing the day’s events in Washington and the debate over the financial bailout plan. He also emphasized the need for a comprehensive energy package, including increased U.S. oil production and funding for alternative energy sources. “Jobs and the economy are the biggest concern,” he said, calling the Base Realignment and Closing (BRAC) a “key to our economic future.”
Phil Kissell spoke on behalf of Larry Kissell, who arrived late after campaigning with former Gov. Hunt. He outlined Kissell’s priorities for the economy, energy, education and health care, including the need to build an educated work force and aggressively recruit jobs.
He called for oil drilling and uncapping closed wells where leases already exist and keeping oil/gasoline at home instead of exporting. Improved health care and insurance for children, seniors, veterans and their families is another priority.
“Education is one of the most critical things,” he said, calling for a stop to “testing for the sake of testing…and getting back to where learning is being done.”
He concluded by saying, “We don’t have a revenue problem but a spending problem and we need to get spending under control.”
N.C. Senate District 29
Incumbent Republican Senator Jerry Tillman spoke about the massive increase in the state budget in recent years and expected revenue problems from the slowed economy. He noted that North Carolina has a much higher business tax burden than nearby states making it more difficult to recruit new business.
Noting that 30 percent of the state’s students don’t graduate from high school, he called for stronger support of community colleges and more vocational schools to provide job training since four-year colleges aren’t suited for all students.
Challenger Ron Franklin cited his experience working in the funeral home and later as a psychologist, which gives him insight into needs of veterans and families. He said his opponent has low rankings for legislative effectiveness and ethics. “I promise to represent the district with enthusiasm, honesty and integrity,” he said.
Other candidates who appeared, responded by letter or sent a representative included Kay Hagan, running against Senator Elizabeth Dole; Wayne Goodwin and John Odom, running for N.C. Insurance Commissioner; Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin, Attorney General Roy Cooper, District Attorney Garland Yates; 19B judicial candidates Jimmy Hill, Don Creed, Marcie Quist and Rob Wilkins.
COUNTY BUSINESS? – Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin and County Commissioner Jackie Morris take time to catch up on county business prior to the candidates’ forum at Biscoe.
SEEKING VOTES – Brett Kennedy, running for school board, and Judge Jimmy Hill, who’s running unopposed for reelection in District 19B, take time to visit before the candidates’ forum in Biscoe recently.
WHEN’S THE ELECTION – From left, Ruthie Morris, Stephanie Franklin and N.C. Senate candidate Ron Franklin consult Franklin’s date book while chatting prior to the recent candidates’ forum in Biscoe.
