Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, October 16, 2014, Page 10A
Editor’s Note: All candidates in the local elections were contacted and given the opportunity to submit material for the candidates profiles in the Post & Voice. For the purpose of this publication, local elections are considered to be the N.C. House of Representatives, county commissioners, Clerk of Superior Court, Sheriff, and N.C. District Court Judge for District 5. The responses of each candidate are published with a minimum of editing for style and clarity. Candidates who are not represented here chose not to respond and participate in the profile.
N.C. House of Representatives District 16
Chris Millis s/CCUPATION 0ROFESSIONAL #IVIL %NGINEER s%DUCATION #OUNTY 0UB LIC 3CHOOLS + TH 'RADES AND 'RADUATED 6ALEDICTORIAN FROM .ORTH #AROLINA 3TATE 5NIVERSITY s/FlCES (ELD 3TATE (OUSE $ISTRICT #OMMITTEE S #OMMERCE *OB $EVELOPMENT 6ICE #HAIR %NVIRONMENT 0UBLIC 5TILITIES %NERGY 2EGULATORY 2EFORM 3TATE 0ERSONNEL s2EASON FOR SEEKING OFlCE /VER THE COURSE OF TIME ) BE CAME DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DIRECTION THAT OUR STATE AND NATION WAS HEADING A DIREC TION AWAY FROM OUR FOUNDING PRINCIPLES A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE PROPER ROLE OF GOV
Steve Unger Personal information ) HOLD A "! IN POLITICAL SCI ENCE FROM +ALAMAZOO #OLLEGE AND IN MANAGEMENT FROM .AZ ARETH #OLLEGE ) AM THE ATHLET ICS SUPERVISOR AT THE 3URF #ITY 0ARKS AND 2ECREATION $EPAT MENT ) WAS FORMERLY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT 7ILMINGTON &AMILY 9-#! AND THE FORMER EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE 4OPSAIL 6OICE NEWSPAPER ) HAVE ALSO BEEN A MEDIA CONSULTANT TEACHER AND HELD OTHER SPORTS MANAGEMENT PO SITIONS ) HAVE LIVED OR WORKED
ERNMENT AND A DIRECTION THAT WOULD NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO PROSPER ) SAW A MAJORITY OF ELECTED OFlCIALS MORE CON CERNED WITH THEIR NEXT ELECTION THAN FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION !S A RESULT ) TOOK A STAND TWO YEARS AGO TO REPRESENT THE CITIZENS OF OUR DISTRICT WITH PRINCIPLE BASED LEADER SHIP THAT WAS FOCUSED ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL ROLE OF STATE GOVERNMENT THAT COULD PRO VIDE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPERITY AND WOULD ACT PRU DENTLY WITH YOUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS .EARING THE END OF MY lRST TERM AS YOUR 3TATE (OUSE REPRESENTATIVE ) CAN CLAIM WITH CONFIDENCE THAT ) REMAINED TRUE TO THE VERY PRINCIPLES THAT ) COMMITTED TO YOU IN THE LAST ELECTION AND ) STAND READY TO CONTINUE TO lGHT IN 2ALEIGH ON YOUR BEHALF Three areas of concern 3INCE RETURNING FROM 2A LEIGH AFTER THE RECENT LEGISLA TIVE SESSION ) HAVE BEEN ORGA NIZING SIMPLE SMALL GATHERINGS WHERE INDIVIDUALS INVITE THEIR FAMILIES FRIENDS AND NEIGH BORS TO SIT DOWN AND CONVERSE ABOUT STATE RELATED ISSUES AND THEIR CONCERNS 7HILE LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF THE CITIZEN AT THESE GATHERINGS THE THREE ISSUES THAT HAVE
RISEN TO THE TOP HAVE BEEN A HEALTHY ECONOMY THE BURDEN OF UNDOCUMENTED ILLEGAL IM MIGRATION AND INCREASES IN THE COST OF LIVING !S INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE DISTRICT STRIVE TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMI LIES GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES AT THE STATE LEVEL CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR GREATER PROSPERITY *UST A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO OUR STATE HAD A TAX BURDEN UPON ITS CITIZENS THAT WAS RANKED AS THE TH WORST IN THE ENTIRE .ATION ,AST YEAR ) FOUGHT ALONGSIDE OTHER LIKE MINDED MEMBERS OF THE 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY TO BRING TO REALITY A FULL mEDGED REFORM OF OUR STATE TAX CODE $UE TO THE REFORM OF OUR TAX CODE INDIVIDUALS WITHIN ALL SPECTRUMS OF OUR STATE ECONOMY NOW HAVE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO KEEP MORE OF THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY !S A RESULT GREATER PROSPERITY IS IN THE FUTURE AS .ORTH #AROLINA HAS GONE FROM ONE OF THE VERY WORST TAX BURDENS TO THE BEST IN THE SOUTHEAST AND ONE OF THE BEST IN THE #OUNTRY 9OUR STATE WAS ABLE TO LOWER THE TAX BURDEN UNIFORMLY UPON ALL TAXPAYERS IN PART BY REMOVING THE LOOPHOLES AND SUBSIDIES BUILT INTO THE OLD TAX CODE TO
BENElT SPECIAL INTEREST AND A FAVORED FEW 4HERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN ATTEMPTS FOR SPECIAL INTEREST TO WORK ITS WAY BACK INTO YOUR TAX CODE TO BENElT A SELECT FEW AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL OTHERS )T IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PRESERVE THE POSITIVE REFORMS TO OUR TAX CODE IN FUTURE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS )F ELECTED TO SERVE AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE ) WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND AGAINST YOUR STATE TAKING MONEY FROM YOU FOR THE ROLE OF GOVERN MENT AND THEN HANDING YOUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS OUT TO PRIVATE INTEREST !LLOWING YOU TO DECIDE HOW TO SPEND YOUR OWN MONEY LEADS TO GREATER OUTCOMES FOR YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND THE STATE AS A WHOLE 5NDOCUMENTED ILLEGAL IM MIGRATION MAY BE OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND FOR MANY INDIVIDUALS BUT IT BEARS A MAJOR NET COST ON BOTH OUR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS )N FACT THE MOST RECENT STUDY PERFORMED DOCUMENTING THE NET COST TO THE STATE TAXPAYER IL LUSTRATES THAT THE COST PER YEAR IS MORE THAN BILLION WITH NEARLY TWO THIRDS OF THIS COST BEING CONSUMED DIRECTLY IN + 0UBLIC %DUCATION &!)2 -ARCH .OTE THAT THIS COST IS NEARLY PERCENT OF THE
OVERALL STATE BUDGET AND DOES NOT INCLUDE INCREASES TO THE INDIVIDUAL SUCH AS HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS -ANY INDIVIDUALS WANT TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THIS PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT OUR 3TATE RELIES HEAVILY ON AGRICULTURE BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT MORE THAN PERCENT OF THE JOBS THAT UNDOCUMENTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TAKE IN OUR STATE ARE COMPLETELY OUTSIDE OF THE REALM OF AGRICULTURE AND WITHIN OTHER SECTORS OF OUR STATE ECONOMY 7HILE THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO BORDER PROTECTION SECURITY AND PRO VIDING A LEGAL WORKFORCE TO OUR NATION S ECONOMY LIES WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FED ERAL GOVERNMENT OUR STATE POLICIES WILL EITHER ENCOURAGE OR DISCOURAGE UNDOCUMENTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO CALL .ORTH #AROLINA HOME !S A POLICY OUR STATE CUR RENTLY CONSIDERS -ATRICULA #ONSULAR CARDS AS VALID IDEN TIlCATION 4HE STATUTE AUTHOR ITY TO ACCEPT THESE CARDS CAN PROVIDE A PATHWAY FOR UNDOCU MENTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO MORE EASILY SET UP RESIDENCE HERE THAN IN OTHER STATES THAT DO NOT RECOGNIZE THIS FORM OF IDENTIFICATION )N ADDITION OUR STATE HAS RECENTLY GUTTED ITS % 6ERIFY LAW IN A MANNER
THAT CRIPPLES ITS POTENTIAL EF FECTIVENESS !S A RESULT OUR STATE LEADERS NEED TO RIGHT THESE WRONGS AND PROPERLY REPRESENT THE CITIZEN /NE OF THE LARGER UNNECES SARY COST OF LIVING INCREASES BORE BY THE CITIZENS OF OUR DISTRICT IS THE INCREASING COST OF HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE )NSTEAD OF AN INSURANCE STRUC TURE THAT IS BASED ON REQUIRING A PREMIUM BASED ON ACTUAL RISK FOR COVERAGE .ORTH #ARO LINA S HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE IS BASED ON PURE POLITICS !CTUAL HISTORICAL CLAIM DATA SHOWS THAT 0ENDER AND /NSLOW #OUNTY HOMEOWNERS ARE PAYING INCREASED INSUR ANCE PREMIUMS THAN ACTUAL CLAIMS WEST OF OUR STATE S COASTAL COUNTIES 4HIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT OUR STATE IN SURANCE STRUCTURE IS BASED ON COMPUTER MODELS RATHER THAN TRUE CLAIM HISTORY )T IS EGRE GIOUS THAT HOMES MILES AND MILES OUT OF HARM S WAY ARE SUBSIDIZING THE LOWER INSUR ANCE RATES FOR OTHERS ACROSS OUR STATE ) HAVE SUPPORTED THIS LEG ISLATIVE CHANGE IN THE PAST SESSION AND STAND READY TO MOUNT ANOTHER lGHT FOR FAIR NESS !MONG THESE MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE AND MANY OTHERS ) HUMBLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT
IN 0ENDER #OUNTY SINCE ) HAVE NEVER HELD OFlCE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR THE 0ENDER "OARD OF #OMMISSIONERS IN $EMOCRATIC PRIMARY SERVED ON THE (AMPSTEAD #HAMBER BOARD (AMPSTEAD ,IONS -AN OF THE 9EAR STARTED THE 3URF #ITY 9OUTH BASKET BALL LEAGUE AND OTHER SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR 3URF #ITY 0ARKS AND 2ECREATION ) HAVE BEEN A SOCCER REFEREE AND INSTRUCTOR YOGA AND SPINNING INSTRUC TOR ) AM RUNNING FOR .# (OUSE $ISTRICT TO PRESENT A CLEAR ALTERNATIVE TO THE HARMFUL AND REGRESSIVE POLICIES BEING PROMOTED BY THE .ORTH #AROLI NA 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY AND MY OPPONENT 7HEN NO ONE ELSE lLED ) STEPPED FORWARD TO PRO VIDE A REAL CHOICE ESPECIALLY SINCE #HRIS -ILLIS HAD NO GENERAL ELECTION OPPONENT TWO YEARS AGO ) AM PROUD OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE ON KEY ISSUES BUT ) AM LEARNING MORE EVERY DAY BY LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE AND WILL MAKE THIS POSITION MY FULL TIME PRIORITY WHEN ELECTED
Three areas of concern 4HE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WILL BE DEALING WITH THE 2EPUB LICAN MAJORITY IN THE . # (OUSE OF 2EPRESENTATIVES AS A MEMBER OF THE MINOR ITY PARTY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE CUTS TO EDUCATION RE ESTABLISH ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES ATTRACTING NEW JOBS TO OUR AREA AND SAVING THE ONES WE ALREADY HAVE )T WILL BE ALL ABOUT lNDING ALLIES FOR MEANINGFUL LEGISLATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE 7E NEED TO MAKE EDUCA TIONAL FUNDING A PRIORITY PROVIDE ACROSS THE BOARD IN CREMENTS TO TEACHERS NOT JUST NEW ONES RESTORE TEACHER AS SISTANTS AND RECONSIDER SCRAP PING CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO MEET NATIONAL STANDARDS STATE LOTTERY PROCEEDS MUST BE USED FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION NOT DIVERTED TO THE GENERAL FUND OR OTHER USAGES %DUCATION FUNDING SHORT FALLS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED A POTENTIAL BUDGET SHORTFALL THAT APPROACHED MILLION BECAUSE OF UNWISE TAX CUTS
2ALEIGH BALANCED THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF EDUCATION -EDICAID AND OTHER SOCIAL PROGRAMS -Y OPPONENT ALSO VOTED TO RAPIDLY EXPAND PRI VATELY RUN CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SUPPORT PUBLICLY FUNDER VOUCHERS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS ALL WHICH DIVERT FUNDING FROM OUR REGULAR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ) AM ENDORSED BY THE .ORTH #AROLINA !SSOCIATION OF %DU CATORS IN MY ELECTION BID 7E NEED TO CONVINCE THE 2EPUB LICANS TO RE PRIORITIZE EDUCA TION )N 0ENDER #OUNTY WE NEED TO PASS THE SCHOOL BOND ISSUE THIS FALL -Y OPPONENT INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IN TO END THE CURRENT FILM INCENTIVE PRO GRAM n WHICH IS NOW SET TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER NOT BEING RENEWED BY THE 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY #HRIS -ILLIS ALSO SPECIlCALLY VOTED NOT TO EXTEND THE CURRENT IN CENTIVES THIS PAST *ULY 4HIS IS COSTING THE #APE &EAR AREA MORE THAN J O B S I N CL U D I N G M A NY I N 0ENDER #OUNTY 4HIS IS INEX CUSABLE )F SOMETHING ISN T
BROKE n DON T lX IT 4HE lLM INCENTIVES MUST BE RESTORED 4HIS IS A BI PARTISAN ISSUE WITH SUPPORT FROM BOTH MAJOR PARTIES THE '/0 CONTROLLED 0ENDER "OARD OF #OMMISSION ERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO ASK THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION THIS FALL TO PROMOTE BUSINESS INCENTIVES INCLUDING THOSE FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY ALTHOUGH HE DIDN T ) FAVOR CONTINUING RECRUITMENT OF NEW BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY THROUGH A PUBLICLY RUN STATE OFlCE AS .ORTH #AROLINA HAS DONE BEFORE 7HEN IT COMES TO THE ENVI RONMENT THE OTHER SIDE LIKES TO SAY THEY HAVE MADE THE STATE MORE hBUSINESS FRIENDLYv BUT THAT IS CODE FOR HARDLY NOT CARING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT ALL &ROM TRYING TO CUT DEALS WITH $UKE 0OWER AFTER THE COAL ASH SPILL FAST TRACKING HARMFUL FRACKING AND ENCOURAGING OIL PLATFORMS OFF OUR COAST THE '/0 LEADER SHIP DOESN T GET IT !ND NEITHER DOES MY OPPONENT 7E NEED TO RESTORE RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ESPE
CIALLY IN CRITICAL COASTAL HABI TATS ) AM ENDORSED BY THE .# 3IERRA #LUB -Y OPPONENT HAS A h v RATING ON A SCALE FROM THREE MAJOR ENVIRON MENTAL ORGANIZATIONS )N THE PAST MANY 2EPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 7E NEED TO URGE THEM TO RETURN TO THAT TRADITION ) LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH COUNTY AND MU NICIPAL LEADERS TO HELP MEET 0ENDER AND /NSLOW #OUNTY NEEDS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND HELP PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE AND PLANNING FOR THE GROWTH THAT IS DOING NOTHING BUT AC CELERATING 7E MUST BUILD NEW SCHOOLS ESTABLISH NEW PARKS AND PRESERVE OPEN SPACES ACCELERATE THE (IGHWAY "YPASS REVIVE THE (IGHWAY "YPASS AND RESTORE THE RAIL LINK IN 7ESTERN 0ENDER #OUNTY 4HE GOAL OF ANY LEGISLATOR SHOULD BE TO DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS BOTH NOW AND IN FUTURE GENERATIONS !ND THAT IS WHAT ) AIM TO DO ) WILL WORK FOR YOU
Pender County Board of Commissioners District 1
James David Williams Jr. s%DUCATION 4OPSAIL (IGH 'RADUATE !SSOCIATE !P PLIED 3CIENCE h!VIATION -AN AGEMENT h,ENOIR #OMMUNITY #OLLEGE s/CCUPATION !CCOUNT -AN AGER #AROTEK )NC s#OMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 0ENDER #OUNTY #OMMISSION ER 9EARS 0ENDER -EMO RIAL (OSPITAL .EW 2EGIONAL -EDICAL #ENTER 0ENDER %-3 0ENDER &IRE #OMMISSION 4OPSAIL )SLAND 3HORELINE 0ROTECTION 0ENDER 4OURISM $EVELOPMENT 0ARTNERSHIP &OR #HILDREN 0RIORITY /NE 3CHOOLS 7ALLACE !IRPORT !UTHORITY 7ILMINGTON -0/
4RANSPOR TATION !DVISORY #OMMITTEE 7ILMINGTON "USI NESS $EVELOPMENT +IWANIS 0ARK 7ORK &IRST 0LANNING FOOTBALL BASKETBALL BASEBALL COACH 6ARIOUS (AMPSTEAD 5NITED -ETHODIST #HURCH COMMITTEES s7HY AM ) RUNNING FOR #OUNTY #OMMISSIONER ) LOVE 0ENDER #OUNTY ) GREW UP HERE -Y WIFE AND ) ARE RAISING A FAMILY HERE AND HOPE THAT IF THEY SO DESIRE OUR CHILDREN CAN DO THE SAME ,EADERSHIP CANNOT LET THEIR PERSONAL BUSINESSES INmUENCE COUNTY DECISIONS ) REPRESENT ALL OF 0ENDER #OUNTY Three areas of concern ) SEE ISSUES 0ENDER #OUNTY FACES AS CHALLENGES OR OPPOR TUNITIES RATHER THAN hPROB LEMSv WHICH ) BELIEVE LEADS TO MORE EFFECTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL SOLUTIONS AND OUTCOMES )N MY OPINION AN OVERREACHING AM BITION FACING 0ENDER #OUNTY IS MAINTAINING THE HIGH QUAL ITY OF LIFE THAT WE EXPERIENCE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY 4HREE CRITICAL CHALLENGES THE COUNTY FACES IN MAINTAINING AND EN HANCING THAT QUALITY OF LIFE INCLUDE FACILITATING GROWTH MANAGEMENT GROWING THE TAX BASE AND CREATING JOBS AND
ASSURING lNANCIAL VIABILITY IN PROVIDING COUNTY SERVICES &IRST MANAGING GROWTH PROPERLY THROUGHOUT A COUNTY IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FACING ANY COUNTY INCLUDING 0ENDER )N SERVING AS A #OUNTY #OMMISSIONER FOR THE PAST TWELVE YEARS ) VE BEEN A LEADER IN ASSURING THE COUNTY MAINTAINS A FOCUS ON PRIORITIES THAT LEAD TO QUALITY GROWTH AND PROMOTE SUSTAIN ABLE DEVELOPMENT 4HREE OF MY PRIORITIES HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO INCLUDE A A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM B COMMUNITY PLANNING AND C THE EXPANSION OF WATER AND WASTEWATER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY 4HE UPCOMING MILLION SCHOOL BOND IN .OVEMBER IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAINING THE HIGH LEVEL OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE 0ENDER #OUNTY 3CHOOLS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR 7E VE ALWAYS STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE TO ASSURE OUR SCHOOL FACILITIES ARE SUCH THAT THEY PROMOTE LEARNING TO THE FULL EST 7E SIMPLY NEED TO CON TINUE TO INVEST IN OUR LOCAL EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO ASSURE CONTINUED GROWTH )N ADDI TION DURING MY TIME ON THE BOARD THE #OMMISSIONERS
HAVE MADE COMMUNITY PLAN NING A TOP PRIORITY 0LANNING PROJECTS WE VE UNDERTAKEN INCLUDE THOSE THAT ADDRESS LAND USE AND COM PREHENSIVE GROWTH POLICIES PARKS AND RECREATION PLANS NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS FOR THE -APLE (ILL AND #URRIE COM MUNITIES ALONG WITH MANY MORE 7E HAVE TO KEEP PLAN NING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE ECONOMIC AND QUALITY GROWTH ,ASTLY PUBLIC WATER AND WASTEWATER AVAILABILITY WITHIN A COUNTY IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL FOR GROWTH MANAGEMENT 7E VE DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL AND OTHER RESOURCES IN THE PAST DECADE TO BUILDING A COUNTY WIDE WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM AND OF COURSE THIS IS THE KEY TO SUPPORTING ECONOM IC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH )NVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION GOOD PLANNING AND EXPANSION OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ARE THREE PRIORITIES ) WILL CONTIN UE TO ADVOCATE FOR AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO FACILITATE GROWTH MANAGEMENT 4HE SECOND MAJOR CHAL LENGE FACING THE #OUNTY IS GROWING THE ECONOMY TAX BASE AND CREATING JOBS (IS TORICALLY 0ENDER #OUNTY HAS
BEEN DEPENDENT UPON BUSI NESS AND INDUSTRY IN .EW (ANOVER AND OTHER COUNTIES FOR JOBS FOR OUR RESIDENTS 4HAT DEPENDENCE HAS LED TO A MOSTLY RESIDENTIAL TAX BASE WHICH SIMPLY DOESN T PROVIDE THE lNANCIAL RESOURCES TO SUP PORT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE AMENITIES WE DESERVE AND DESIRE 7E HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DEVELOP INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT ALONG THE 53 CORRIDOR AS WELL AS IN THE "URGAW AREA 0ENDER #OMMERCE 0ARK ALONE CAN ACCOMMODATE AS MANY AS OR MORE NEW IN DUSTRIES OVER TIME POTENTIALLY PRODUCING OVER JOBS AND OVER BILLION IN INVESTMENT 4HE SHELL INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN "URGAW IS GENERATING CLI ENT INTEREST IN NOT ONLY THE "URGAW AREA BUT COUNTY WIDE AND THE NEW WASTEWATER LINE ALONG THE 5 3 CORRIDOR FROM "URGAW TO 7ALLACE WILL OPEN UP NORTHER N 0ENDER #OUNTY TO INDUSTRIAL DEVEL OPMENT OPPORTUNITIES !ND CONTINUING TO PARTNER WITH OUT BEACH COMMUNITIES TO FUND BEACH NOURISHMENT AND INLET DREDGING WILL ASSURE TOURISM REMAINS A VITAL PART OF OUR ECONOMY
7HILE MUCH HAS BEEN DONE WE NEED TO ASSURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE AND FOCUS RESOURCES ON STRENGTH ENING THE COUNTY S ECONOMY THROUGH INCREASING THE TAX BASE AND CREATING QUALITY JOBS AND ) LL CONTINUE TO BE A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THAT 4HE THIRD MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THE COUNTY IS TO ASSURE l NANCIAL VIABILITY AS INCREASED DEMANDS ARE PLACED ON THE COUNTY FOR A VARIETY OF SER VICES AND NEEDS (ISTORICALLY 0ENDER #OUNTY HAS MAIN TAINED AN EXCELLENT lNANCIAL CONDITION AND HAS RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FROM BOND RAT ING AGENCIES AND OTHERS FOR ITS EFFORTS 4HE COUNTY HAS DONE WELL IN PROVIDING QUAL ITY SERVICES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME KEEPING A LOW TAX BURDEN ON ITS CITIZENS 4HE SERVICE DEMANDS AND NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS CONTINUE AND WE MUST BE lNANCIALLY PRUDENT IN HOW WE MANAGE AND ADDRESS THEM /NE EXAMPLE IS THE UPCOMING MILLION SCHOOL BOND 4HE COMMISSIONERS CONTINUE TO EX PLORE OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES FOR HOW BEST TO ADDRESS THE PROJECTS WHILE KEEPING THE TAX
Continued on page 11A
Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, October 16, 2014, Page 11A
Candidates
Continued from page 10A burden as low as possible. Another example is pr u-
Christopher Charles (Chris) Medlin s'RADUATE OF $IXON (IGH school, studied business at Coastal Carolina Community college Today I manage the family business East Coast Sports and a charter booking agency called Topsail Charter Fishing. I have worked since I was 12 years old in the family business as well as working as a mate, private captain, guide and charter captain outside the family business. In addition I have worked
dently managing the costs of water and wastewater expansions across the county. The county has sought and secured as much as 40 percent in grant monies for the
water and sewer projects throughout the county, saving our citizens greatly in utility rates. The county must continue to devote the time and re-
sources to assure that outside resources are garnered and prudent financial decisions are made as the demand for services and capital project needs are considered by the
board. And as well, it will be critical that the county manager and finance officer positions are filled with persons with solid and successful backgrounds and experi-
ence in county government experience so that we will never again see the financial issues and concer ns with which we’ve had to deal with recently.
most jobs in the restaurant industry as well as working construction (roofing, siding, windows). I still work as a handy man in the winter when business at the shop is slow. I am not afraid of hard work. It doesn’t get harder than stripping a tar roof and replacing it with a new one in the middle of August. This is my first run for any office, other than Key Club president in high school. My parents have instilled a sense of giving to your community since a young age. I have been a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, Cubmaster, Tiger/ Wolf/ Bear den leader, asst. t-ball coach, youth soccer coach. I also volunteer in the schools helping kindergarteners and first graders with reading 2-3 days a week for the last three years. I am also currently chair of communications committee for Supporters of the Pender County School Bond. Reason for seeking office I am seeking office to make a difference in my community. Pender County is facing huge challenges in the next few years. Our schools
are getting overcrowded and others desperately need upgrades. I also want a better accounting and transparency of our county finances. Three areas of concern We the people of Pender County must address the school issue. Schools are a major concern to our economy here in Pender County. People are moving here because our school system is so great. This in turn creates jobs in construction, real estate and all the other indirect jobs that come with increased population. Re s t a u r a n t s , g r o c e r y stores and other service industry jobs come along with the influx of people to Pender County. I have worked very hard to promote the school bond. The Pender County school bond will help keep our economy moving in a positive direction as well as provide much needed breathing room for teachers and students. For more information on the bond visit the site I creat e d w w w. p e n d e rc o u n t y schoolbond.com We must get the books in order. In 2011 Pender
County had $19.5 million left in the general fund balANCE '&" WAS PROjected to have 14.6 million left over. Today the board does not know for sure how much is left over. According to Commissioner Fred Mccoy in The Pender Post and Voice, the county thinks it has $11,831.521 as of June 30 2014. Ladies and gentlemen, our general fund balance may have been cut almost in half in three years. The general fund balance needs to be strong and grow every year barring a catastroPHE 4HE '&" SHOULD BE USED in cases of emergency such as flooding or hurricanes. /NCE YOU START USING THE '&" to balance the budget you begin to get in trouble. The state mandates we have an 8 percent excess in the fund balance. If things continue on their present course we will be in violation in the next three to FOUR YEARS (AVING A STRONG fund balance also af fects Pender Counties bond rating and our ability to borrow. The financial director did not submit a report for to the local government commis-
sion or the commissioners for two years and was allowed to continue in his job. The 2012-13 audit was nine months late because the finances were not posted to accounts properly. Commissioners are supposed to be vigilant in making sure your tax dollars are accounted for properly. Two years is a long time to let major issues slide. In my opinion and in the opinion of many others if you are a financial director you should at least give quarterly reports. In my business if I had a financial director he would have been fired after the second or third quarter. As a business man I run daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly reports. There is no excuse for not getting at least quarterly reports and allowing the director to continue in his job for two years. We do not have a financial director or a county manager because the books are a mess and most qualified professionals do not want to walk into a job with the problems that we have. I suggest using multiple resources to find qualified candidates and
fill both positions as soon as possible. I n Pe n d e r C o u n t y o u r jail system must be addressed. Currently we are paying to house prisoners in other counties and that is costly. The overcrowding problem at the jail is not going away and has been a long time coming. Crime per capita isn’t rising but with growth comes crime. I think Sherriff Carson Smith has done a good job, has his ducks in a row and needs to be supported in the future. We have known this day was coming but have not prepared ourselves for it. I am speaking with the Sheriff ’s Office to find answers to these problems. I hope with all the new developments going up in Pender County we will be able to pay for these challenges. Our finances are a mess and need to be dealt with. I pride myself on being a problem solver and good listener. I hope to use my business experience and listening skills to help provide answers to the challenges that face us today.
Pender County Board of Commissioners District 2
David Piepmeyer s2ESIDENCE "ROADVIEW ,ANE (AMPSTEAD s$ATE OF BIRTH !PRIL 1963 s&AMILY 7IFE OF YEARS – Sally; two step daughters – Lauren and Kaitlin Sarvis s%DUCATION 0ENDER (IGH
3CHOOL n (ONOR 'RADUATE 5.#7 "ACHELOR $Egree in Physics (1985); UNCW, Cameron School of Business – Completed several post graduate level business courses s*OB 0OLITICAL EXPERIENCE ) HAVE WORKED FOR 'ENERAL Electric Company for over 28 years in various manufacturing, leadership, engineering and quality roles. My current title is Senior Technical Project Engineer, supporting ' % (ITACHI .UCLEAR %NERGY S Services Business. I was appointed to, and served on the Pender County Park and Recreation Advisory Board for nine years; delegate TO . # '/0 3TATE #ONVENtion – 2011; member of Pender County Republican Party Executive Committee for last six years. s#IVIC 0UBLIC 3ERVICE
-EMBER OF (AMPSTEAD United Methodist Church Served on church council and finance committees; UNCW Seahawk Club Board member; PAST MEMBER OF 4OPSAIL (IGH Athletic Club; past member OF 0ENDER (IGH !THLETIC #LUB boys basketball coach – Pender Youth Basketball Association; long time girls softball coach – "URGAW $IXIE 9OUTH Since 2010 census data forced Pender County to move DISTRICT LINES THE $ISTRICT county commissioner’s seat was left with no incumbent. This is the main reason I decided to run. Other rationale supporting my decision to run INCLUDES s! STRONG DESIRE TO HELP influence the funding, actual construction and completion OF THE PROPOSED (AMPSTEAD "YPASS COMPLETION OF (AMP-
stead Bypass project should help decrease accidents and FATALITIES ON (IGHWAY IN (AMPSTEAD s#ONTINUE AND EXPAND where fiscally possible, county infrastructure projects (water, sewer, zoning, etc..) to position Pender County for future growth. s0ROVIDE LEADERSHIP TO IMprove county services – the need to make Pender County more business-friendly Three areas of concern I think there are three major issues that the county will face and have to deal with over the next several years. First, Pender County has two significant positions, county manager and county finance director, that need to be filled. It appears that the commissioners were not totally pleased with the first
round of applicants and thus have sought the help of an independent recruiting service. I agree with taking the necessary time to hire the most qualified individual to these positions as it became obvious what can go wrong if the proper amount of leadership, guidance and oversight are not provided. Second, providing adequate funding to keep Pender County Schools competitive in terms of teachers and administrators salaries is a tough subject and a challenge that many counties in North Carolina are facing. While I am not sure this is the best economic time for this school bond referendum, I do believe it is truly an issue that should be decided by the citizens of Pender County. That being said, I also think it is very important that the
school bond money (if the referendum passes) be spent wisely and in accordance with how the bond was presented to the public prior to the vote. Lastly, it is vital that the entire process is transparent to the taxpayers so future school bond referendums have a chance to receive proper consideration. Lastly, with so many important demands on limited financial resources, the county commissioners will be faced with some difficult decisions during the budgetary development and approval process. Clearly future growth will ideally ease some of this burden, but the fact remains that Pender County has a fixed amount of money to fund what is important to its’ citizens. That being said, I will be as frugal with my constituents’ money as I am with my own.
Pender County Board of Commissioners District 3
George R. Brown, Jr Reason for Seeking Office I am seeking re-election so that we can complete ongoing projects and continue to plan for Pender’s growth in a positive way. I have always tried to advocate on behalf of the citizen and taxpayer. My very first meeting as a commissioner was an eye opening experience to the bad behavior and activities that were disrespectful to the citizens and taxpayers of this county. This is the reason I pushed for full transparency by the achievement of three important changes to our board.
Doris Carlton s-ARRIED TO 3TEVE #ARLTON for 34 years, children are Leeann Carlton Sanchez (Rick), Mitchell Carlton (Aleah) and Johnny Carlton and three
s(AVING PUBLIC COMMENT prior to any vote in our meeting. s0UBLISHING ALL COMMISsioner board meeting agendas in our local newspaper. s%NACTING A RULE THAT OUR board cannot vote on any issue that has not been advertised (except by a unanimous vote). These are three key decisions that help to assure transparency for our board and were important in providing a foundation of trust. Three areas of concern s5PCOMING NEEDS PROJECTS SUCH AS SCHOOLS AND JAIL 7E have known for years that a new jail facility was needed to replace the current outdated one. As unpleasant as the idea seems to the taxpayers, the plan for an updated facility is at the point of being a necessity and is an expectation at a state level. No one likes the idea of spending money on this type of facility, but it is an expense we will have to deal with. Regardless of the passage of the school bond we will have to plan, prepare and fund the needs of schools in growing communities. We must be more than a bedroom COMMUNITY FOR .EW (ANOVER
County. This kind of growth alone will have a huge impact to the average taxpayer as schools are the largest single cost item to us. We must be more than that and have alternative sources of revenue to help ease that burden. s ) N D U S T R Y BU S I N E S S E S JOBS 7E ARE CURRENTLY PREPARing the path for industrial development in this county with the completion of our new water plant and the current construction of our waste water treatment facility. This infrastructure located in our industrial commerce park has already landed an industry that will provide an initial 120 jobs for our area. Utilities such as water and sewer are necessary for industries, factories and businesses. I would like to see more industrial parks around the county to increase our ability to provide jobs and the clean tax revenue to the county. sLower taxes and less dependency on individual perSONAL PROPERTY TAXES 7E MUST keep taxes lower and affordable to the individual home/ property owner. We can no longer depend on this single revenue source to pay the bills, especially with demands
of the schools alone. Businesses coming to the growth areas will also bring jobs and sales tax revenue which WILL be another source of income for the county. Although these three challenges as described above are different, they are very much connected. The expense of schools, projects such as the new jail and general operational costs of the county will need funding through a mixture of revenue streams available to the county. People criticizing the commissioners on school needs cannot put blinders on and preach to fund more money for the schools regardless of the impact to the taxpayers. We must be smarter than that by providing for the schools and other needs without overburdening the individual taxpayer. We must integrate common sense ideas and approaches to find remedies and additional sources of money. The point I am trying to make is that we need a mixture of clean industrial taxes, significant sales taxes and personal property taxes. This combination of revenues is no longer a desire but must exist.
Contrary to what some folks may believe, I do understand the needs of the schools. I can also appreciate the position of the school board with regard to their specific role as it relates to the overall larger picture that the commissioners have to consider and are responsible for countywide. I hope they will look for ways to accomplish their goals with regard and respect to the taxpayer. We c u r re n t ly g ive ap proximately half of the total county budget to the schools. They have been increasing their fund balance by about $500,000 a year since around GIVING THEM GREATER THAN $4 million in reserve. It has also been stated that Wilmington Business $EVELOPMENT IS PAID a year, this is simply not true. 7E HAVE GIVEN 7"$ A year for the past few years and $110,000 this current year for their help to bring business and industry to our county and we have benefited from their help. There has also been criticism about the shell building which was a decision by the board of commissioners to help attract more industry, business and jobs to
our county. The idea or principle behind this compares to building a model home to attract potential home buyers. Whether you agree with the idea, we have had successes with the concept. We are doing everything possible to bring alternative sources of revenue and jobs to our county. Contrary to criticism the board agreed that doing nothing was not an option. It is easy for uniformed opponents to criticize but the true measure of an individual lies in their ability to reason, solve problems and actually offer credible solutions. Commissioners have the responsibility to provide for more than one specific need. They need to be fully engaged and informed. Also, I believe that folks with personal agendas have no place in public office. I have always tried to serve the people of Pender by putting the citizen and taxpayer first without regard to the criticism offered by those that profit from a personal agenda. At the end of the day, we need commissioners with integrity to serve the people of Pender County.
grandchildren. I graduated high school in Atlanta. I attend college at CFCC and UNCW after our three children were grown. I’m a certified N.C. Paralegal, Notary Public, Freelance Title Searcher and Real Estate Investor. I hold several posiTIONS IN MY CHURCH AT (ERring’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Burgaw. I have served two terms as a Pender County School Board Member (2000 - 2008). Since living in Pender County for close to 30 years, my volunteer experience includes 'IRLS 3COUT ,EADER 3UNDAY 3CHOOL 4EACHER 0ENDER (IGH School Band Booster OffiCER AND MEMBER OF THE 0(3
!THLETIC AND (4(3 "AND Athletic Boosters. I was also A 0ENDER #OUNTY 'UARDIAN ad litem for children in foster care. It would be an honor and privilege to serve our citizens of Pender County as a county commissioner. I have respect for all of our citizens and I would show this respect, not demand it from others. Our county is in a financial mess with records not being balanced for the past two years and I would put policy in place so that this does not happen again. I would work closely with other elected officials and department heads within Pender County to improve trust and
integrity. Our boards need to work together so that great things can happen for all of Pender County. Three areas of concern At this moment I feel the top three problems that Pender County is facing is Financial Responsibility which includes finding a new County ManAGER AND &INANCE $IRECTOR OUR needs from the school system which includes new schools, renovations and teacher supplements and finally a way to bring in economic development that will not harm our environment. We have had at least three county managers in the past five years. This is unstable for a county. If I was a county
manager I would not want to come to Pender County until AFTER THE ELECTION (OWEVER if a new county manager is hired prior to the election, the new board needs to support him or her. As a county commissioner I will work with the other commissioners to make sure our monies are appropriately accounted for. This is our main duty as a commissioner. Pender County Schools rely on the county commissioners for funding for new schools, renovations and teacher supplements. I will work collaboratively with the school board for the needs of our teachers and students, with the lowest impact to tax payers
as possible. Economic development will bring financial stability to our county so that other needs will not impact our tax payers. We need to be careful not to offset our development with harm to our environment. Pender County has beautiful beaches, inland waters, farm lands and wood lands. We need to protect this. This is our children’s future. I would appreciate your vote for county commissioner and I hope you feel comfortable enough to contact me if you have a concern for Pender County. I will listen and I am here for you.
Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, October 16, 2014, Page 12A
Pender County Clerk of Superior Court
Robert W. Kilroy s0ERSONAL INFOR MATION (AMPSTEAD RESIDENT MAR-
Susan Rooks Lunsford s!DDRESS ,ITTLE +ELLY 2OAD 2OCKY 0OINT ,ONG #REEK 4OWNSHIP s%DUCATION 'RADUATE OF 0ENDER !CADEMY
RIED TO *OANNA $E -ARCO +ILROY FOUR CHILDREN WITH NINE GRANDCHILDREN s6ETERAN 5NITED 3TATES -ARINE #ORPS s%DUCATION "OSTON #OLLEGE ! " HISTORY AND ECONOMICS )NDIANA 5NIVERSITY LAW DEGREE s%LECTED AND DULY QUALIlED #LERK OF 3UPERIOR #OURT IN 0ENDER #OUNTY s0RACTICED LAW IN 0ENDER #OUNTY FOR YEARS CONCENTRATING ON REAL ESTATE LITIGATION AND CRIMINAL s-EMBER .ORTH #AROLINA "AR !SSOCIATION 0ENDER #OUN-
TY "AR !SSOCIATION s3ERVED AS #HAIRRMAN OF THE 0ENDER #OUNTY "OARD OF !DJUSTMENT HEARING ZONING APPEALS AND VARIANCES Three areas of concern 4HE MOST CRITICAL AND ACUTE ISSUES FOR THE #LERK OF 3UPERIOR #OURT ARE ALL DRIVEN BY THE .ORTH #AROLINA 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY &IRST ARE lNANCES 7E WERE FINALLY ABLE TO GET A SALARY INCREASE FOR OUR ASSISTANT AND DEPUTY #LERKS AFTER A lVE YEAR LAPSE 7E CONTINUE TO LAG BEHIND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR LIKE
AND SIMILAR POSITIONS AND CONTINUED CUTS TO TECHNOLOGY BUDGETS NEVER ALLOW US TO GET AHEAD 3ECOND A #ONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT WOULD ALLOW A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT TO WAIVE A TRIAL BY JURY IN 3UPERIOR #OURT !FTER WE CALL A JURY POOL TO REPORT A WAIVER IS ENTERED 7HAT DO WE DO WHEN THEY CHANGE THEIR MINDS OR WAIVE A JURY AFTER SELECTION HAS BEGUN %VEN MORE CRITICAL WILL BE CALLING A JURY IN TO DECIDE AGGRAVATING FACTORS AT SENTENCING AFTER A BENCH TRIAL !N APPARENT EF-
FORT TO SAVE MONEY BECOMES MORE EXPENSIVE 4HIRD HOW DO WE TREAT A hGESTATION CARRIERv SURROGATE MOTHER AS AN INTESTATE HEIR WHEN THE AGREEMENTS LEAVE A LOOPHOLE OR ARE SILENT ON THE MATTER 4HIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE #LERK OF #OURT TO SOLVE 4HE HUMAN IMAGINATION IS THE MOTHER OF ALL LEGAL PROBLEMS UPON WHICH THE 'ENERAL !SSEMBLY CREATES PUBLIC POLICY ,OCALLY OUR CHRONIC CHALLENGE AND PROBLEM IS TO ACCOMMODATE A ST #ENTURY
CASE LOAD TO AN YEAR OLD COURTHOUSE )T IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHEN WE WILL RUN OUT OF SPACE n WE ALREADY HAVE 7E COLLECT A COURT FACILITY FEE ON EVERY CASE lLED IN 0ENDER #OUNTY FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN COURT FACILITIES )T WILL BE MY GOAL IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO CONVINCE THE COMMISSIONERS TO SEGREGATE A PORTION OF THOSE FEES FOR PROFESSIONAL PLANS TO BUILD A NEW COURTHOUSE OR A FUNCTIONAL ADDITION TO THE PRESENT COURTHOUSE
s/CCUPATION n !SSISTANT #LERK OF 3UPERIOR #OURT IN .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY WHICH JOINS 0ENDER AS THE TH *UDICIAL $ISTRICT ) WORK IN THE HEARING OFFICE FOR )NCOMPETENCY 0ROCEEDINGS AND ALL OTHER %STATE MATTERS s*OB %XPERIENCE n ) HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED AS A $EPUTY AND !SSISTANT #LERK OF 3UPERIOR #OURT IN .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY FOR THE PAST YEARS ) HAVE WORKED IN BOTH THE #RIMINAL $IVISION AND THE %STATES AND 3PECIAL 0ROCEEDINGS $IVISION 0RIOR TO THE #LERK S OFlCE ) WAS A BOOKKEEPER FOR YEARS s0OLITICAL /FFICES (ELD n NONE s#IVIC 0UBLIC 3ERVICE n 0AST 0RESIDENT OF "URGAW
$IXIE 9OUTH )N ) WAS AWARDED THE !PPRECIATION !WARD FROM "URGAW $IXIE 9OUTH FOR ALL OF MY HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE "ASEBALL AND 3OFTBALL PROGRAM FOR THE CHILDREN OF 0ENDER #OUNTY s2EASON FOR SEEKING THIS OFFICE n 4HE #LERK OF 3UPERIOR #OURT IS THE OFlCIAL RECORD KEEPER AND THE *UDGE OF 0ROBATE WITH VARIOUS OTHER DUTIES 4HE #LERK HAS A DUTY TO FOLLOW THE .ORTH #AROLINA 'ENERAL 3TATUES 4HE #LERK DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE LAWS THEY ONLY HAVE THE POWER TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF .ORTH #AROLINA 4HIS JOB SHOULD BE DONE WITH INTEGRITY AND A WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ALL THE CITIZENS OF 0ENDER #OUNTY WHETHER RICH OR POOR
) AM THE BEST PERSON FOR THIS JOB ) HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF 0ENDER #OUNTY ) WAS BORN AND RAISED ON A FARM IN 2OCKY 0OINT LEARNING EARLY IN MY LIFE THE IMPORTANCE OF A HARD DAY S WORK (AVING PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED HARDSHIP THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAS MADE ME GROW WITH THE COMPASSION TO HELP OTHERS ) WOULD LIKE TO HELP NOT ONLY THE CITIZENS OF 0ENDER #OUNTY BUT ALSO THE VISITORS THAT MIGHT NEED TO BE ASSISTED %VERYONE THAT ENTERS OUR HISTORICAL #OURTHOUSE DESERVES TO BE TREATED WITH COMPASSION AND WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT IN SOLVING THEIR PROBLEM 7HETHER THEY HAVE A TRAFlC
CITATION HAVE EXPERIENCED A DEATH IN THEIR FAMILY AND ARE NEEDING TO OPEN AN ESTATE BEEN CALLED TO JURY DUTY OR SIMPLY NEEDING A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK FOR EMPLOYMENT ) WANT THEM TO HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE 4HIS IS MY COUNTY AND ) WILL BE DEDICATED TO ANYONE NEEDING MY HELP ) WANT TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF 0ENDER #OUNTY IN THE SAME MANNER THAT ) SERVE THE CITIZENS OF .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY Three areas of concern 4OP THREE PROBLEMS IN THE #LERK S /FlCE ARE HAVING AN AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED LEADER CUSTOMER SERVICE EFlCIENCY FOR THE PUBLIC ) HAVE EXPERIENCED AND
HEARD BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SERVICES ABOUT THE 0ENDER #OUNTY #LERK S OFFICE 4HE 0ENDER #OUNTY #LERK HAS AN OBLIGATION TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND ) AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH A GREAT GROUP OF DEPUTY AND ASSISTANT CLERKS WHO ARE DOING A GREAT JOB -ANY OF WHOM ) HAVE WORKED WITH IN THE PAST ) AM THE CANDIDATE THAT CAN MAKE A POSITIVE AND ENJOYABLE WORK PLACE THAT SERVES THE #ITIZENS OF THIS #OUNTY WITH INTEGRITY AND PROFICIENTLY -OST IMPORTANTLY HAVING THE PRIMARY GOAL OF MAKING SURE OUR #ITIZENS HAVE A GOOD EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY INTERACT WITH US AT THE COURTHOUSE
THE INMATES IN MY CUSTODY 7E CURRENTLY HAVE DOZENS OF INMATES IN OTHER COUNTY JAILS AND ARE PAYING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR FOR THAT SERVICE 4HE #OUNTY #OMMISSION IS IN THE PROCESS OF lNDING A SITE WHERE WE CAN BUILD A NEW JAIL %VEN NOW ) HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH JAIL STAFF AND OTHERS ON PRELIMINARY PLANNING SO WE CAN BUILD A FACILITY THAT WILL BE FUNCTIONAL WELL INTO THE FUTURE 7E DON T WANT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE JUDGES WILL HAVE TO RELEASE PRISONERS THAT NORMALLY WOULD REMAIN IN JAIL UNTIL THEIR CASE HAS BEEN HEARD IN COURT 4HAT WILL BE UNACCEPTABLE AND ) WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH AS HARD AS ) CAN FOR A NEW JAIL 9OUR 3HERIFF S /FFICE CANNOT BE LIMITED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN KEEP IN JAIL 3INCE ) HAVE BEEN SHERIFF ) HAVE SEEN THE PREDOMINANT DRUG PROBLEM mUCTUATE FROM COCAINE TO THE MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS 7E ARE NOW MONITORING NEW METHODS PEOPLE USE TO MAKE CRYSTAL METH IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE THAT ARE MAKING THEIR WAY HERE
7E ALSO HAVE RECENTLY HAD AN INCREASE IN HEROIN ARRESTS 7HILE DRUGS ARE IN EVERY SINGLE AREA OF OUR NATION WE HAVE DONE OUR PART TO KEEP 0ENDER #OUNTY FROM BECOMING SATURATED BY STAYING UPDATED ON TRENDS CONTINUOUSLY TRAINING ON RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT METHODS FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUGS AND AGGRESSIVELY ENFORCING DRUG LAWS /NE OF MY MAJOR GOALS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO MAINTAIN A DRUG ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND KEEPS THOSE WHO SELL DRUGS IN JAIL 7E HAVE DONE THIS BY CONTINUING TO ARREST THE STREET LEVEL DEALERS BUT PUTTING THE EMPHASIS ON THEIR SUPPLIERS 3INCE ) VE BEEN 3HERIFF WE HAVE CHARGED A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR TRAFlCKING DRUGS 4HAT MEANS THEY WERE NOT SELLING USER AMOUNTS THEY WERE MOVING LARGE QUANTITIES -ANY AREAS THAT WERE NOTORIOUS FOR DRUG ACTIVITY HAVE BEEN CLOSED DOWN 7HEN WE SEE SIGNS THAT DEALERS ARE SETTING UP IN A PARTICULAR AREA IT BECOMES A PRIORITY TO BE VISIBLE BE THERE CONSTANTLY AND TO MAKE ARRESTS SO DEALERS DO NOT BECOME ESTABLISHED
Pender County Sheriff
Carson Smith ) WAS B O R N I N I N 7ILMINGTON .ORTH #AROLINA ) GREW UP AND HAVE LIVED IN 0ENDER #OUNTY MOST OF MY LIFE -Y PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS LIVED IN (AMPSTEAD AND GENERATIONS PRIOR TO THEM ALL LIVED IN COASTAL .ORTH #AROLINA ) ATTENDED 4OPSAIL 3CHOOLS AND WORKED SUMMERS IN THE FAMILY SEAFOOD BUSINESS !T THAT TIME ) ALSO BEGAN WORKING IN MANY DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF PUBLIC SERVICE INCLUDING 0ENDER %AST %-3 (AMPSTEAD 6OLUNTEER &IRE $EPARTMENT
AND 3COTT S (ILL &IRE $EPARTMENT 7HILE ATTENDING 5.# 7 ) WORKED AS A DISPATCHER WITH THE 0ENDER #OUNTY 3HERIFF S /FlCE UNDER 3HERIFF 'EORGE 7RIGHT AND 3HERIFF -IKE (ARVELL )N ) BECAME A SWORN DEPUTY UNDER 3HERIFF (ARVELL AND COMPLETED MY "ASIC ,AW %NFORCEMENT 4RAINING CLASS AT #APE &EAR #OMMUNITY #OLLEGE WITH THE HIGHEST ACADEMIC AVERAGE AND HIGHEST lREARM QUALIlCATION SCORES ) WORKED IN THE PATROL DIVISION UNTIL WHEN ) WENT TO WORK AS A POLICE OFlCER IN 4OPSAIL "EACH UNDER #HIEF 2ICKEY 3MITH )N ) WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE .ORTH #AROLINA (IGHWAY 0ATROL AND ATTENDED THE TH "ASIC 3CHOOL ) FINISHED THE SIX MONTH SCHOOL THIRD IN ACADEMICS SECOND IN FIREARM QUALIFICATION AND FIRST IN DRIVING ) WAS ASSIGNED TO $URHAM #OUNTY AND WORKED THERE UNTIL ) RETURNED HOME TO 0ENDER #OUNTY TO A JOB ) HAD LONG WANTED AS %MERGENCY -ANAGEMENT #OORDINATOR )N ) RAN FOR 3HERIFF WAS ELECTED AND TOOK THE OATH OF OFlCE IN $ECEMBER OF THAT YEAR ) HAVE SERVED EVER
SINCE ) HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF 3COTT S (ILL "APTIST #HURCH FOR ALMOST YEARS AND AM A MEMBER OF THE .ATIONAL 3HERIFF S !SSOCIATION AND THE .ORTH #AROLINA 3HERIFF S !SSOCIATION WHERE ) HAVE BEEN ELECTED THIRD VICE PRESIDENT %ACH TIME ) HAVE TAKEN THE OATH OF OFlCE ) HAVE BEEN REMINDED OF HOW HUMBLING IT IS TO BE CHOSEN BY THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY TO SERVE AS SHERIFF ) AM PROUD OF WHERE WE HAVE COME OVER THE PAST TWELVE YEARS ) HAVE A WONDERFUL STAFF AND ) WANT TO CONTINUE LEADING THIS OFlCE INTO A FUTURE THAT ) BELIEVE IS BRIGHT FOR 0ENDER #OUNTY 7E HAVE ENFORCED THE LAWS IN A FAIR AND CONSISTENT MANNER AND SIGNIFICANTLY MODERNIZED THE OFlCE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS 7E CONTINUE TO HAVE THE LOWEST CRIME RATE IN THE REGION AND THAT IS SOMETHING IN WHICH EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTY CAN TAKE CREDIT ) WANT TO REMAIN THE 0ENDER #OUNTY 3HERIFF TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION OF A TRUSTED AND FAIR 3HERIFF S /FlCE 4HE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY MAKE SERVING A PLEASURE AND ) COULD NOT IMAGINE BEING SHERIFF IN ANY OTHER COUNTY IN THIS STATE
Three areas of concern ) BELIEVE THE TOP THREE PROBLEMS THIS COUNTY FACES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS ARE THE GROWTH WE ARE ABOUT TO SEE THE LACK OF JAIL SPACE FOR THE NUMBER OF INMATES WE HAVE AND THE EVER CHANGING DRUG PROBLEM 7E ARE ABOUT TO SEE GROWTH LIKE WE NEVER HAVE BEFORE 4HOUSANDS OF HOMES ARE ABOUT TO BE BUILT AS GROWTH MOVES THIS WAY FROM 7ILMINGTON 4HIS IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE BECAUSE STAYING AHEAD OF CRIME IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE A SAFE COMMUNITY 7ITH THIS INCREASE IN POPULATION WE WILL SEE CRIME INCREASE UNLESS PERSONNEL EQUIPMENT AND PROGRAMS ARE TRANSFORMED AS WE GROW TO PRESERVE THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY !S SHERIFF ) WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE AND LISTEN SO AS TO UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY ) WILL LEAD THE WAY BY CONTINUOUSLY EVALUATING DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS THE USE OF RESOURCES WE HAVE AND MAKE CHANGES WHEN NEEDED 7E CANNOT AFFORD TO BECOME STAGNANT 7E HAVE NO ROOM LEFT IN THE COUNTY JAIL TO HOUSE ALL
N.C. District Court Judge for District 5
Kent Harrell s%DUCATION !TTENDED THE 5NIVERSITY OF .ORTH #AROLINA AT #HARLOTTE FROM TO AND OBTAINED A "! IN (ISTORY ) THEN ATTENDED .ORTH #AROLINA #ENTRAL 5NIVERSITY 3CHOOL OF ,AW FROM TO WHERE ) GRADUATED CUM LAUDE s/CCUPATION ) HAVE BEEN IN SOLO PRACTICE IN "URGAW FROM TO THE PRESENT s*OB %XPERIENCE 0RIOR TO OPENING MY OWN PRACTICE ) WAS AN ASSOCIATE WITH "ROWNE &LEBOTTE 7ILSON AND (ORN IN $URHAM .ORTH #AROLINA s0OLITICAL OF FICES HELD .ONE s#IVIC PUBLIC SERVICE 2ECOGNIZED AS THE 0ENDER #OUNTY 6OLUNTEER #ITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR BY THE 0ENDER #OUNTY "OARD OF #OMMISSIONERS s0RESIDENT &IFTH *UDICIAL $ISTRICT "AR TO 3ERVED AS 6ICE 0RESIDENT
3ECRETARY AND 4REASURER AND AT LARGE MEMBER PRIOR TO SERVING AS 0RESIDENT s#HAIRMAN OF THE "OARD FOR !-)+IDS .ORTH #AROLINA WHICH PROVIDES &UNCTIONAL &AMILY 4HERAPY TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY COURT SYSTEM s"OARD MEMBER FOR THE 0E N D E R # O U N T Y *U VE N I L E #RIME 0REVENTION #OUNCIL s"URGAW 2OTARY #LUB MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR MAN TO PRESENT 2OTARY 9OUTH ,EADERSHIP #ONFERENCE CLUB CHAIRMAN TO PRESENT )NTERNATIONAL 3ERVICE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TO s"OY 3COUTS OF !MERICA #UBMASTER FOR #UB 3COUT 0ACK FROM TO 3ELECTED AS #UB 3COUT ,EADER OF THE 9EAR FOR THE .ORTHEAST #APE &EAR $ISTRICT 7OLF DEN LEADER FOR 0ACK IN 4ROOP #OMMITTEE -EMBER FOR "OY 3COUT 4ROOP FROM TO PRESENT MEMBER OF THE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE FOR THE #APE &EAR #OUNCIL )NVESTMENT IN #HARACTER CAMPAIGN "URGAW CHAIRMAN AND )NVESTMENT IN #HARACTER CAMPAIGN CHAIR FOR .ORTHEAST #APE &EAR $ISTRICT AND s#OACH FOR THE 0ENDER (IGH 3CHOOL -OCK 4RIAL TEAM IN AND TEAM WON THE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT AND ADVANCED TO THE 3TATE lNALS s#OACH AND REFEREE FOR 5P-
WARD "ASKETBALL LEAGUE TO s#OACH AND SPONSOR FOR "URGAW $IXIE 9OUTH T BALL AND BASEBALL PROGRAMS TO PRESENT s-EMBER OF THE 0ENDER #OUNTY (ISTORICAL 3OCIETY TO s3ERVED AS A DEACON CHOIR MEMBER ASSISTANT 3UNDAY 3CHOOL TEACHER 0ERSONNEL #OMMITTEE MEMBER AND .OMINATING #OMMITTEE MEMBER IN MY CHURCH s2EASON FOR SEEKING OFlCE ) BELIEVE THAT THE JUDGES WE ELECT SHOULD BE OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE AND SHOULD HAVE THE LIFE EXPERIENCE TO BRING A LEVEL OF DISCERNMENT THAT ONLY TIME CAN TEACH ) HAVE REPRESENTED THE CITIZENS OF 0ENDER #OUNTY FOR THE PAST EIGHTEEN YEARS lGHTING TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS AND ASSISTING THEM IN RESOLVING THEIR DIFFERENCES &OR THE PAST YEARS ) HAVE ADVOCATED FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN ON BEHALF OF THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM ) HAVE EXPERIENCE IN EVERY AREA OF THE LAW DEALT WITH IN $ISTRICT #OURT NOT JUST ONE /UTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM ) HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR YEARS TO -ANDY (ARRELL 7E HAVE TWO CHILDREN AGES AND WHO ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL IN 0ENDER #OUNTY 7E ARE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND HAVE POURED OUR LIVES INTO THIS COMMUNITY ) AM RUNNING
N.C. District Court Judge District 5 candidates are continued on page 13A.
FOR THIS POSITION TO PROVIDE THE PEOPLE OF 0ENDER #OUNTY WITH A KNOWLEDGEABLE EXPERIENCED FAIR MINDED JUDGE WHO KNOWS THIS COMMUNITY AND WILL ADVOCATE FOR THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY WITHIN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH Three areas of concern &OR 0ENDER #OUNTY CITIZENS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS ACCESS TO A JUDGE 4HERE IS NOT A JUDGE IN THIS DISTRICT WHO HAS A STANDING OFlCE AT THE 0ENDER #OUNTY COURTHOUSE !LL NINE
OF THE CURRENT JUDGES RESIDE IN .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY /N THOSE LATE AFTERNOONS WHEN COURT IS OVER THERE NEEDS TO BE A JUDGE AVAILABLE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROBATION OFlCERS TO CITIZENS SEEKING PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND TO LAWYERS WHO NEED ORDERS SIGNED ) WILL MAINTAIN AN OFlCE AT THIS COURTHOUSE AND WHEN ) AM lNISHED WITH COURT ) WILL BE IN MY OFlCE AT THE 0ENDER #OUNTY #OURTHOUSE UNTIL THE
CLOSE OF BUSINESS 4HE OTHER MAJOR PROBLEM APPLIES TO THE COURT SYSTEM STATEWIDE LACK OF ADEQUATE FUNDING 4HE COMPUTER SYSTEM RELIED ON TO MAINTAIN OUR CASE SYSTEMS IN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL COURT ARE MORE THAN YEARS OLD 4HEY ARE NOT SET UP TO ALLOW PUBLIC ACCESS AND THE COURT SYSTEM HAS NOT HAD FUNDS AVAILABLE TO UPDATE 4HAT PROBLEM CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY ADEQUATE FUNDING FROM THE LEGISLATURE
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Pender-Topsail Post & Voice, Thursday, October 16, 2014, Page 13A
N.C. District Court Judge District 5 3HE IS CURRENTLY THE PROS ECUTOR ASSIGNED TO ONE OF TWO CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTROOMS FOR .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY PROSECUTING ALL MISDEMEANORS CHARGED BY THE 7ILMINGTON 0 O L I C E $ E P A R T M E N T T H E 7RIGHTSVILLE "EACH 0OLICE $EPARTMENT THOSE ARISING IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING COM MUNITIES AND THE DOWNTOWN 7ILMINGTON BAR DISTRICT 3HE MANAGES AN AVERAGE OF CRIMINAL CASES PER DAY AND HAS TAKEN OVER CASES TO TRIAL IN THIS VERY DISTRICT ON BEHALF OF THE 3TATE OF .ORTH #AROLINA 3HE HAS PROSECUTED RE PEAT OFFENDERS ADVOCATED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND BEEN THE VOICE FOR VIC TIMS IN HOMICIDE CASES )N ADDITION ,INDSEY SERVED AS THE 0ENDER #OUNTY JUVENILE DELINQUENCY COURT PROSECU TOR FOR THREE YEARS AND THE .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY $RUG 4REATMENT #OURT PROSECUTOR FOR TWO YEARS 0RIOR TO SERV ING AS AN !SSISTANT $ISTRICT !TTOR NEY ,INDSEY WORKED IN INSURANCE TRAVELING FROM COAST TO MOUNTAINS WORKING WITH OVER INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS 3HE ALSO SERVED AS A 'UARD IAN AD ,ITEM AS AN ADVO CATE AND VOICE FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY COURTS MEETING
Lindsey McKee Luther s-ARRIED %VAN ,UTHER $ETECTIVE WITH .EW (ANOVER #OUNTY 3HERIFF S /FlCE CUR RENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE 5NITED 3TATES -ARSHAL 3ERVICE 4ASK &ORCE s/CCUPATION !SSISTANT $ISTRICT !TTORNEY TH 0ROS ECUTORIAL $ISTRICT %DUCATION 5NIVERSITY OF .ORTH #AROLINA AT #HAPEL (ILL "ACHELOR OF !RTS $OU BLE -AJORS 0SYCHOLOGY AND 3OCIOLOGY .ORTH #AROLINA #ENTRAL 5NIVERSITY *URIS $OCTOR s%XPERIENCE ,INDSEY IS A CAREER PROSECUTOR WHO HAS DE VOTED HER LEGAL CAREER SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THE TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT 3HE HAS PROSECUTED CASES RANGING FROM MINOR TRAFlC VIOLATIONS TO MURDER
WITH CHILDREN FOSTER PARENTS TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE $EPARTMENT OF 3O CIAL 3ERVICES TO ADEQUATELY REPRESENT CHILDREN S NEEDS AND INTERESTS )N ,INDSEY WAS SE LECTED AS OF .ORTH #ARO LINA PROSECUTORS TO BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR FOR THE #ONFERENCE OF $ISTRICT !TTORNEYS 3INCE THEN SHE HAS TRAVELED ACROSS THE STATE TEACHING JUDGES LAW ENFORCEMENT OF FICERS MAGISTRATES AND PROSECU TORS %VERY YEAR SHE IS THE ONLY PROSECUTOR IN THE STATE TO TEACH NEW PROSECUTORS ON THE ISSUE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN THE COURT SYSTEM ,INDSEY IS ALSO AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PSYCHOL OGY TEACHING DOCTORATE AND MASTERS LEVEL COURSES IN THESE DISCIPLINES ,INDSEY AND HER HUSBAND %VAN ARE MEMBERS OF &IRST 0RESBYTERIAN #HURCH WHERE SHE SERVES A DEACON CHAIR OF THE 'ROWTH AND )NVOLVEMENT #OMMITTEE 3UNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER AND USHER ,INDSEY SERVES ON THE "OARD OF $IREC TORS FOR THE 0HOENIX %MPLOY MENT -INISTRY ASSISTING THE UNEMPLOYED IN LEARNING JOB SKILLS TO INDEPENDENTLY SECURE AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT 3HE ALSO SERVES ON THE "OARD OF $IRECTORS FOR THE !LTERNATIVE $ISPUTE 2ESOLU
TION #ENTER AN ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO RESOLVE CONmICT IN CRIMINAL FAMILY AND CIVIL MATTERS WITHOUT COURTROOM LITIGATION 3HE IS ACTIVE IN THE TEEN COURT PROGRAMS OF .EW (ANOVER AND 0ENDER #OUN TIES PRESIDING AS JUDGE AND STUDENT MENTOR !S A RESULT OF THIS SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE COM MUNITY ,INDSEY S CANDIDACY HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE &RATERNAL /RDER OF 0OLICE ,ODGE s2EASON FOR SEEKING OFlCE ) HAVE PROSECUTED A VAST AR RAY OF CASES AND MANAGED A DISTRICT COURT DOCKET FOR MORE THAN SIX YEARS ) POS SESS THE ORGANIZATIONAL AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS NECESSARY TO RESOLVE CASES THOROUGHLY YET EFlCIENTLY AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE JUDICIAL PROCESS !S A JUDGE ) WILL ADDRESS EACH OF MY CASES WITH COM PASSION AND CONCERN WITH AN ACUTE AWARENESS OF WHAT CASES MEAN TO THE VICTIMS OF CRIME TO THE DEFENDANTS CHARGED AND TO THE ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN FAMILY COURT PROCEEDINGS %VERY PERSON ENTERING THE COURTROOM WILL KNOW THAT THEY WERE TREATED WITH COURTESY RESPECT AND CONSIDERATION 4HE $ISTRICT #OURT BENCH NEEDS THE KIND OF EXPERIENCE THAT ) UNIQUELY BRING TO THE
TABLE ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS AND POSSESSES THE MULTI TASK ING SKILLS IT TAKES TO MANAGE CROWDED DOCKET WHO KNOWS HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS AND CHILDREN IN NEED WHO IS ABLE TO CARRY OUT THEIR RESPON SIBILITIES WITH FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY WHO IS DEDICATED TO THEIR COMMUNITY AND WHO IS COMMITTED TO SERVICE ) AM PRE PARED EXPERI ENCED QUALIFIED AND READY TO BRING MY BACKGROUND AND SKILL SET TO RUN AN EFlCIENT AND RESPECTFUL COURTROOM Three areas of concern s%FlCIENCY !S A PROSECU TOR ) SEE lRSTHAND THE CHAL LENGES THAT ARE PRESENTED WHEN THE COURTROOM DOCKETS HOLD MORE CASES THAN CAN BE HEARD IN A DAY !LL PLAYERS IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM MUST WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM EFlCIENCY BUT THE JUDGE PLAYS A KEY ROLE !CKNOWLEDGING AND BEING ATTENTIVE TO THE ISSUES WHILE UNDERSTANDING THE NEED TO MOVE CASES AT A STEADY PACE WITHOUT SACRIlCING QUALITY IS CRITICAL 4HIS IS SOMETHING ) DO EVERYDAY AS A PROSECUTOR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO IN MY ROLE AS JUDGE s4IME 4HE COMPLAINT ) HEAR MOST OFTEN IS THAT IN DIVIDUALS SIMPLY DO NOT FEEL THEY WERE HEARD IN A COURT ROOM !S A JUDGE IT IS IMPOR
TANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT FOR THE INDIVIDUALS APPEARING IN COURT THE CASE AT HAND IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE 4HEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THE JUDGE LISTENED TO WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY CONSIDERED ALL PIECES OF THE CASE AND MADE A DECISION THAT WAS BASED ON COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAND ING OF THE ISSUE ,ISTENING AND UNDERSTANDING A CASE FULLY IS SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE AND THAT ) WILL DO IN EVERY SINGLE CASE THAT COMES BEFORE ME s9OUTH 4HE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY LIES IN THE HANDS OF OUR YOUTH &AR TOO OFTEN ) SEE YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING THE DOORS OF THE COURTHOUSE UNAC COMPANIED WITHOUT A FRIEND A PARENT OR A MENTOR AT THEIR SIDE !S JUDGES WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THESE YOUNG PEOPLE EITHER IN A CRIMINAL SETTING IF CHARGED WITH A CRIME OR IN A FAMILY COURT SETTING BY DETER MINING CUSTODY AND SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT IN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT )T IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME THAT IN ALL CASES INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE ) MAKE A DECISION THAT TRULY IS IN IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD ONE THAT CAN PREVENT FUTURE CRIMINAL CONDUCT CAN PROVIDE STABILITY IN THE HOME AND CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IM PACT IN THEIR LIFE
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Spring/Su
mmer 20 14
POSVoicTe The Pender-Topsail
Pender County groups are enjoying spring as warm weather has arrived. Cape Fear Elemetary held its Spring festival last week.
&
Volume 43, No. 32
County high school teams are heading into the last week of their regular seasons. Some are in playoffs this week. Read about it in sports on B1.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
2014 Wednesday, May 7,
for the Peopl The Media of Record
50 Cents
e of Pender County
Fest Hometown fun at Spring
BOC designates land ry for Hampstead libra property High Section of Old Topsail library will be used for new
Ta
ty 2014 Pender Coun
al, Sign-ups continue in Centrcts Moores Creek water distri
Business Card Directory
ont Street 201-A W. Frem P.O. Box 955 28425 Burgaw, NC H RIĂ€F fax 910.259.9112 FHOO SRVWJUDSKLFV RP #SRVW YRLFH F
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nty slowly in Pender Cou Job situation imprloves d for new jobs says training is neede Employment officia
By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher reEmployme nt figures Departleased by the N.C. e show ment of Commerc unemployPender County’s
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in the bubble the winning bubble Fest in Sadie Parrish blows Saturday at Spring gum blowing contest holds the tape to record ParBurgaw. Noah HarrellCharles Owens (left) launches rish’s winning effort. the annual cow chip tossing in the winning toss a new Spring Fest record with a contest. Owens set See more photos of the event 27-foot winning toss. . Facebook on on page B6 and
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By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
Staff photos by Andy
peojust to make sure Utilities meeting or Pender County have any questions sign-ups ple don’t Mack said. “We are continue to accept system in concerns,� positive indicafor the new water Creek getting very people.� the Central and Moores tions from a lot of Central water districts. Customers in the Michael disUtilities director Moores Creek water up process and service for up sign Mack says the sign than he tricts can is moving along better for $120. that. It first expected. “We lose money on hundred to put “We have several us more than that of people costs But that is what in hand and a lot probably in a meter. disare interested, but offered the other the check we have are will wait to write By signing up, they 60 days,� tricts. water for another 30 to committing to taking availMack said. when it becomes and if y find Mack says the preliminar said Mack. “If we been sub- able,� serve report to USDA has later that we can’t out phase they will receive mitted and he expects to begin the property, one of the project a refund.� cuswater with about 1,300
to Local Your Guidethroughout Businesses County. Pender
JACKSO
invites you to join us for the official
of dollars,� in the millions By Andy Pettigrew Taylor said. are curPost & Voice Publisher Although there in the county of- rently no funds Pender County library a new library buildlibrary budget for ficials and Hampstead piece ing, setting aside the property a library supporters supporters now have a new will give to of land to envision opportuni ty to begin the comCounty for a new buildlibrary building. d the raise funds missioner s designate Old ing. the of the new northwest portion In 2008, design on property facility Topsail High School Hampstea d library but stopped for the new library. a ball was underway issues and The land, currently school due to funding old fathe the to locating field adjacent tely problems with school building, is approxima cility on the proposed four acres. meeting, property. proDuring Monday’s The library building ds Taylor recommen library director Mike of the gram currently t facility and representa tives Li- a 23,000 square-foo 115 parkof Friends of the Hampstead a minimum the board with serve the growbrary group asked for ing spaces to County to set aside the property ing eastern Pender n for the next 30 the new library. at a lot populatio “We have looked it all costs years. of property, but
FRkeEOnE!e!
THE PENDER COUNTY
g
Regular seasons endin
2015. the beginning of working 120 at with “We have been “We are working virtually ment rate remained the community college them in preparation for their February with unchange d from some training avail- hiring process to begin in late The rate to get they to March this year. to job seekers so July,� Pittman said. from 7.6 to able and get June or with increased slightly can close that gap “We anticipate working for the jobs that are 7.7 percent. them in their hiring.� showed a qualified cerPittman said. However the rate The career readiness last available,� over nt school high large improveme The lack of a is also becoming fallbarrier to tification in obtainyear’s March numbers,2013. diploma is a huge an important tool in ing from 9.3 percent a job, Pittman says. ing a job. employ- finding tests “We have a lot of are also basic skills “It’s a series of three staff. Right There job. their a to for adding need ers that individua ls to get that people college is to verify that in the past now we are busy trying the “The community along – such have skills high a programs employers staffed some may have assumed Pitt- adding production we have,� coast,� said Rosemary t as the certified school graduate would – which is some“But when man of the local employmen and technician said Pittman. office. “The new Walmart that is very important they get to the employer, they starting thing said Pittskills, such the summer season staff- to R.C. Creations,� don’t have those This is has several employers are man. as basic math skills. We says her office is are looking ing for the summer. Pittman employers for people Creations, what really looking hard working with R.C. for.� s to work on the beach.� are the new seafood processor Pittman says individual ns n in Pender Pittman says there than a under constructio R.C. Cre- need to get the certificatio Park. be in a posimore jobs available they need now to still is a Commerce year ago, but there is expected to hire that are ations work gap between the jobs 80 people to begin page 2A to Continued on skills of the about available and the in September, expanding job seekers.
Commissioners consideri
Re-Dedication of the Old Topsail Consolidated School as the new Hampstead Annex with tour to follow
ng local bill
feel we need to have ts in cause we we ing for fire departmenLittle time for public hearing and . to get a bill rushed eastern Pender County the de- don’t want to still make more is known about through. We need the proposed bill. have the opportucommis- tails of ses- changes and Pender County hearing. If we Following the closed session n nity for public us sioners met in closed discussion, commissio that it would put sion do a don’t discuss David Williams said Monday night to to vote on something is consider- chairman on drafting a having local bill the board from now and we weeks state “we are working two the to decided e trying ing for submission local bill, but we have don’t feel comfortabl Pettigrew the next long legislature. Staff photo by Andy deals to wait until , be- to rush it through.â€? to a The bill reportedly of the legislature Sunday afternoon of fund- session strawberr y picking with the tax structure d. the ďŹ ner points of Hampstea in explains 17 Morris Hwy. on Nonie Strawberr y farm By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
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