Pender County Commissioner Candidates
Editor’s Note: Pender County Commissioner candidates were invited to submit information regarding their candidacy. Each was asked for the following information:
1. Introduction: Who, where, what you have done..etc. Introduce yourself. Whatever and how much you wish to say.
2. Why you are running for office. Not so much issues here, but personal convictions about government, public service, etc. We will cover issues later. Why be a County Commissioner?
William Randy Burton
District 2 I grew up in a public service family where my Mother was a career Nurse and my Father was a career Professional Firefighter in Wilmington N.C.
My family has lived in Pender County (Rocky Point area) for over 150 years. Throughout my teenage years I became involved with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and Wilmington Fire Department’s Explorer Scout programs.
Upon aging out of the Explorer programs and entering my senior year in High School, I was a part of the Industrial Cooperative Training program where students could obtain a job and would be released early from the school day. I was hired as an Emergency Room Orderly with New Hanover Memorial Hospital in 1985. While working as an Orderly, I also was a certified Emergency Medical Technician and volunteered my time with Ogden- New Hanover Rescue Squad.
Soon after High School I accepted a full-time position with the newly formed New Hanover County Emergency Medical Services in 1987. By the age of 19, I was a credentialed as one of the youngest Advanced Medics in the state of N.C.
At the age of 21 my interest turned towards Law Enforcement and I took a position as a full-time Deputy Sheriff with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office. For the next year I worked as a patrol deputy until being promoted to Narcotics Detective in 1989. After many successful drug investigations in and around Pender and New Hanover Counties, Sheriff J McQueen Jr. of New Hanover County recruited me to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office where I worked for a short while before being moved to the S.A.F.E. Unit (Sheriff’s Alcohol Field Enforcement Unit). I spent about 3 years in the S.A.F.E. Unit and was promoted to a Detective position in the Narcotics Division.
In January of 1998 my career took a turn and I took a full-time position as a Wilmington Firefighter and transitioned my Law Enforcement career to a part time role as a Deputy Sheriff in Pender County. During the next 20 years, I worked my way up the ladder in the Wilmington Fire Department through the ranks of Relief Driver, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain and spent the final 6 years as a Battalion Chief serving in two different roles within the senior command staff of the Wilmington Fire Department. As a part of the senior staff, I assisted in budget development and played a key role in the administration, implementation and oversight of a 14 plus million-dollar budget. I assisted in development of the first Community Risk Reduction citywide program that became a national model for career fire departments and was one of three Public Information Officers that communicated regularly with media and the citizens of Wilmington.
I remained in that position for three years until being transferred to the Operations Division where I commanded a duty shift consisting of 66 personnel serving over 110,000 citizens in all hazard responses until my retirement from local government in February of 2018 with over 32 years of credible service to the citizens of Pender and New Hanover counties.
After my retirement from the Fire Service, I once again returned to full-time Law Enforcement service in February 2019 working as a Criminal Investigator with Novant/ NHRMC Company Police Department. As of May 2024, I am still enjoying the continuation my Law Enforcement career serving Novant Health’s properties in the coastal market.
I Hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science Administration from Columbia Southern University, Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and have attended many specialized schools in Law Enforcement, EMS and Fire Rescue credentialing and training throughout my career.
I have been blessed with the good health to have served for over the past 38+ years in EMS, Law Enforcement and the Fire Service.
I have spent my entire adult life in county and municipal government and fully understand the functions, planning for growth and budgeting processes that a Board/ Manager form of government operate under. I have developed many great working relationships with key leaders in our communities along with various community based organizations.
Being 57 years old, I have witnessed the growth and transformation of Pender County feel that I am qualified to represent our citizens in an important time such as this.
I reside in the Scotts Hill community where I have been married to my wife Sheila for the past 25 years this July 2024, we have three wonderful children and three grandchildren.
•I am running to continue my service to the community, I felt that I could either sit on the sideline and complain or get in to make a difference in our counties future. I have a unique and diverse career background in county and municipal government and connection to the employee perspective, in which most politicians lack. The County Commission sets the tone and vision for the future in support of the citizen’s we serve.
•Issues. First would be our roads and highways, I know this does not fall on the commissioners and is a state matter, however we can make a difference by lobbying our state representatives to keep our citizens needs on the front burner.
Second would be planning for smart school growth that we are behind the cure in now, there needs to be proactive discussions about our children’s future and needs.
Third would be the smart development of our county water system and following through on the county’s promise to get folks connected that invested in the system as long as 18 years ago. The second part of this answer would be smart development of capable water treatment systems to enable citizens to not have to rely septic systems.
Jim Harris BOC District 1
Greetings! I believe this election is among the most, if not the most consequential election in our lives. When we vote, we express our choice based upon the character and qualifications of each candidate. More importantly, we’re voting for a candidate’s solutions to those priority issues that most closely match our own, aligning our criteria for leadership with our future. Here’s my story:
I was born in Michigan, attended public high school, then worked my way through Michigan State University (assembling Ford vehicles in Wixom, MI, painting rental housing in Lansing, MI), graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance in 1975. My wife (who I met at MSU) and I have been happily married for 48 years. We have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. After we both retired in 2017, we bought our current home in Hampstead.
My career began with IBM in Dearborn, Michigan focused on High Tech Information Systems in the hospital and healthcare industry. Taking evening classes, I earned a Master’s degree (MBA) at Wayne State University in 1980. Almost 40 years later, I retired from Intel Corporation as International Marketing Manager.
Since settling in Pender County, I’ve supported nonpartisan political processes as a poll worker, Precinct Captain, and Precinct Judge for both primary and general elections. I’ve spent years on the Boards of multiple HOA’s representing hundreds of residents. I currently serve the Democratic Party as the 2nd Vice Chair in Pender County, and I proudly support the Democratic Women of Pender County, the ACLU, the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, Disabled American Veterans, the National Park Conservation Association, and Habitat for Humanity.
I enjoy reading, traveling, boating, fishing, and spending time with our children and grandchildren.
I am a Democrat, but early on was a registered Republican. I left the GOP about 30 years ago due to my increasing disappointment with GOP policies affecting healthcare, as well as social, racial and financial equality. In that era, GOP policy shifted to favor the largest corporations and the wealthiest in our society.
I believe that unrestrained capitalism is partly responsible for one of our country’s largest problems; that is, that the American middle class is disappearing. I am a firm believer in capitalism which includes labor union negotiations, progressive taxation that eases the relative burden on low and middle-income Americans, and “best value” fiscal policy that supports infrastructure, high quality education, smart growth, public safety, and
3. Three of the most important issues facing Pender County in 2024 and your ideas for solutions to the problems (emphasis on the solutions). This is your opinion on what Pender County residents are facing and how you would deal with the issues. I’m sure you can think of more than three, but let’s give a through look at three. A maximum of 2,000 words was placed on the response. No candidate exceeded the word count and the responses are presented unedited except for minor grammatical changes. The invitation was also extended to candidate Brent Springer, who declined to participate.
abundant parks and recreation facilities/spaces.
Why I’m Running for Office
It is said that “all politics is local.” By running for District 1 County Commissioner, I choose to actively commit to serving all county residents, including my friends, neighbors, and our broader community through this position of community leadership. Since I’m retired, I can give this effort my undivided attention.
I am impressed by Pender County’s people, its blessings and natural beauty. However, I’ve lived here long enough to identify specific shortcomings, limitations, and challenges. Currently, not all of Pender County’s voices are being heard, whether farmer, angler, firefighter, stay-at-home parent, or local businessperson. All voices can and must be heard to ensure adequate representation and accountability for results at the county level. Expressing our voices in a democratic system gives us and our families a greater chance of living a stable, healthy, safe and fulfilling life. This amounts to my primary goal – providing that voice for you, on your behalf, in the right measure and right manner.
I am running because I’m confident I can contribute to the effective and efficient running of Pender County as a member of the Board. Despite the growing animosity amongst parties and their constituents, I believe that reasonable people can agree to solve almost any problem. Leadership begins with proactive, transparent, and sustainable democratic (small “d”) principles and a strong belief that even small changes will lead to lasting improvements over time. The lack of effective leadership has consequences too – and can lead to lasting damage to our community and our mutual well-being over time.
My Qualifications
This position requires the hiring and management of county leadership staff. I’ve led teams of Sales Managers, Operations Managers, and Marketing Managers, reporting to executive office stakeholders. I was accountable for strategic programs, operational systems, and customer services that delivered associated revenue and profit targets. At Intel, I administered a world-wide budget of over $80M in coordination with dozens of senior in-country management teams.
I’m a strategic, critical thinker and collaborative problem solver. My attention to relevant details to plan for and complete each initiative are personal strengths which complement my education. My ability to use specific communication and active listening skills are part of my DNA. I’ve worked closely with other executives to define strategic initiatives, capital budgeting priorities, human resource requirements, and deliver evidence-based results. I also have the heart to serve every resident in Pender County. Not everyone will agree with my values and individual opinions, and I respect everyone’s right to their own opinion. However, I don’t respect opinions that are racist, sexist, fact-free, or foment violence in any form. I believe in taking the initiative in economic development, full disclosure, thorough staff work, and collaboration. I will lobby the NC State legislative branch to support improved (equal) employment opportunities,
Brad George BOC District 1
Lifelong Pender County resident,1987 graduate of Topsail High School, husband of 34 years, father of 3 and granddaddy on 1, Honorably discharge Navy Veteran. I have severed on several local non-profits over the last 40 years, from volunteering starting at age 16 as fighter with Hampstead Volunteer fire department, and Sloop Point Fire Department, EMT with Pender East EMS, numerous PTAs’, youth sports organizations, and Pender Parks. I was also elected to the Pender County board of Education in 2012, and faithfully served the citizens of Pender County until my appointment to the Pender Board of Commissioner in February of 2023.
1. Rapid development is out pacing our infrastructure, overcrowded schools, water quality issues, traffic concerns, on the east side of Pender, this cause issues county wide, with the focus having to be on those areas under stress some of the remaining area appear to be neglected. Such as lack of utilities in areas of central and western Pender, lack of capital improvements in the some of the older schools.
As you commissioner I will continue to push to have the Policies and Ordinance that provide direction for growth and development updated to reflect the current needs of the county, growth is good and necessary, but it must be done in a controlled method to avoid the current situations we are currently facing.
2. In 2023, 58.6 percent of Pender County working residents work outside to Pender County, and 79.7 percent of
women’s rights, quality education, and affordable housing within Pender County.
Three Important Issues and Potential Solutions
My Democratic Candidate colleagues (Demetrice Keith and Dan Kinney) and I have jointly developed a 10-point Platform that offers our view and our specific commitment to solve the most pressing challenges in Pender County. Please visit my website for more information, at http:// www.Harris4PenderCC.com.
The following items are included in our Platform, but this deeper description reflects my points of view.
Growth
In the past, the Pender County Board has arguably functioned as though housing development anytime, anywhere, and at any cost is a sound policy and practice. Clear-cutting large tracts should be banned, and I will propose prohibiting this practice. Property taxes are climbing steeply while developers are keen to build ever larger, more expensive homes at maximum density, which negatively affects our fragile ecosystem while maximizing their profits. Affordable housing is virtually non-existent, impacting our police, teach -
those are solo commuters. Most of those commuting outside of Pender also send their money outside of Pender increasing those other county sales tax revenue. Less than 5 percent of the county taxes come from commercial. A strong tax base typically ranges around 35 percent commercial and 65 percent residential. The lack of this tax base places the burden on the residential taxpayers. These stats highlight the need for a stronger focus on Economic Growth and Development.
As your Commissioner I will work to help make Pender the choice those looking to a start the America dream of owning a small business to those international companies looking for a quality workforce. One of the main concerns I hear from those looking to open a small business in Pender is they don’t know where to start, who to call, and what is needed to make that dream a reality. As commissioner I would like to see an Economic Development director that could work with those wishing to start small business from scratch, up to those international companies looking for at the best County in the state to expand.
3. Pender County has grown tremendously over the past 15 years, and reinvestment into the county infrastructure didn’t keep pace, the county is now working hard to catchup, with the new law enforcement center, Health and Human services facility, new library, additional parks and additions, and the ever-increasing need for school capital improvements and additions. As commissioner I will continue to lobby our state representatives for any help, they can provide through appropriations to assist with construction and improvements funding, I will encourage and support staff as they seek grant funding for things such as parks and recreation, public utilities, and school construction. I will remain conscious of the fact that funding these much-needed projects is to have minimal impact on the residential tax paying citizens.
ers, small business owners, first-time homeowners and the elderly. Homeowners receiving a fixed income will ultimately be unable to pay their annual property taxes. I propose that Pender County increases the senior income level threshold for property tax relief to 150 percent of its current level, and tie future increases to inflation. Pender County is currently attracting more than our fair share of new residents. Managing growth in this environment must occur proactively, and we must balance the equation of “who benefits versus who pays”. Growth will not abate soon; we need to anticipate its public impact and optimize its opportunities. A smart growth approach will help reduce seemingly arbitrary designations of business and residential land use, traffic congestion, and visual blight as well as enhance public recreation facilities. Potential solutions include efforts, with public input, to explore down-zone opportunities in sensitive coastal wetland areas, proactively mitigate natural disaster impacts (which is proven to be cost-effective) to minimize worker downtime and hold new developments accountable. The Board must also
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BOC
Demetrice Keith BOC Distric 4
Demetrice Keith is a former Pender County Commissioner for District 4 during 2015-16. Presently, she is a candidate for the same in 2024. Demetrice is a life-long resident of Pender County. She received her early education in Pender and later was a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where she received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. Later, she received a master’s degree in education administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Demetrice is the proud mother of three adult children, Jonathan, Keith Christian, and Dejanee, all of whom are college graduates. She says the icing on the cake of her family is her granddaughter, Nora Layne.
Demetrice is semi-retired with over thirty years of experience with the State of North Carolina – Community Corrections, Division of Prisons and Public Schools. Presently she is working as a Direct Support Professional at ACI- Dun -
Harris
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advocate for more flexible solutions with the NC State legislature to correct the (Planning and Zoning) limitations and the imbalance between public and private interests.
Education
Rather than keeping North Carolina’s abysmal position in the bottom quartile of school funding performance and teacher salaries, we must receive state-level, constitutionally guaranteed delivery of equal funding for all students. Until then, our only choice is to provide countywide supplemental funding to achieve the best levels of facilities, equipment, programs, teacher resources, and parental resources. We can provide a 21st century education that is second to none. Investing in
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Demetrice loves her community. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, and Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Burgaw, North Carlina.
Demetrice states that she is running for office to be a Commissioner because Pender County needs much improvement as it relates to educating our children, creating better jobs for the community that will not hurt our environment and to provide affordable housing for our citizens. We must improve in these areas to ensure that Pender County will be a better place to live.
Three of the most important issues that the residents of Pender County are facing in 2024 are the need for infrastructure to attract businesses that will create economic growth, telecommunication, and transportation. We need more infrastructure to support new businesses, jobs, our schools, and recreational areas. We need this to enhance the quality of life for our residents. There is a big need to complete the telecommunication project that has begun; there are so many people who don’t have access to the internet. The children need it to do on-line learning when school is not in session. Some people have jobs that are remote, and they do not have good connections so that they can work. Lastly, more public transportation options are needed. If you don’t drive or have someone to take you to your appointments, then you will be faced with some serious problems.
our students’ futures is a bedrock conservative value, not an option.
Our choice for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction is a crucial one this November. I fully support Maurice (Mo) Green for this Council of State office. Mo is a lawyer, leader, a past Superintendent, and a champion for public school excellence for all students.
Imbedded in the NC State Constitution is the right of every child to receive a quality education. This is a defined benefit which applies to all children in Pender County.
Recent and ongoing NC legislative actions include a) denying that inequality exists; b) promoting universal access to private education vouchers regardless of income, and c) avoiding state-wide bond issuance to supplement indi-
Ken Smith BOC District 4
1. I am married with three children and have been a Southern Baptist pastor for over twenty-seven years. I hold both a bachelor’s degree from Campbell University and a master’s degree from the Campbell University Divinity School. I previously served as Mayor of Atkinson and as Chairman of the Pender County Board of Education, serving two terms on the board. In 2019, I was honored to receive the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service for my work during hurricane Florence. I teach middle school career and technical education courses with Pender County Schools.
2. I am running for county commissioner because I believe in community service and the importance of responsive leadership. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to serving others, both in ministry and through local government roles. I want to continue making a positive impact by ensuring that the needs and
vidual county efforts to build new, and/or refurbish existing schools. The last NC State public school construction bond was in 1996. These responses form a (shrinking) defined contribution approach which promotes private profits while condemning our students to an educational “race to the bottom”. The problem with defined contribution funding has dramatic long-term consequences - private schools can arbitrarily raise prices, reduce expenses, and segregate students based on income and color while avoiding certification and compliance standards and reporting.
Infrastructure
Pender County faces challenges in developing and delivering smart growth results. These challenges require that we look far ahead into the future. In addition to schools, as outlined above, we must proactively define a more robust and higher capacity transpor-
voices of our community are heard and addressed.
3. One of the key challenges facing Pender County residents is the impact of rapid growth on our schools, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. As the county commissioners review our land use plan, it is essential to apply common-sense principles when considering new housing developments. Approving every project without fully assessing the potential negative impacts harms the county in the long run. I encourage a collaborative relationship between the Board of Education, the Planning Board, and the County Commissioners to address these concerns and plan for sustainable growth.
Another challenge we face is addressing crime within our county. As a strong supporter of our sheriff’s department, I recognize their dedication to working diligently with the resources available. However, we must invest further in ensuring the safety of all our citizens, whether they reside in Hampstead or Currie, to ensure comprehensive protection across the county.
A third priority for our county is to reduce unnecessary red tape for residents accessing county services. We should focus on simplifying and digitizing processes wherever possible. By streamlining bureaucracy, we can enhance efficiency and make it easier for citizens to obtain the services they need in a timely manner.
tation network in conjunction with NCDOT. We must also prioritize parks and recreation requirements. That said, action does not necessarily mean increasing taxes – we must explore new means and methods to develop fresh solutions to old problems. If so, Pender can attract and sustainably support new business growth while developing a 21st century transportation network, expand our highly educated workforce, and create the attractive outdoor living spaces demanded by today’s families and businesses.
I’ll close by saying that I’m smart enough to know how much more I have to learn, but I’ve mastered the art and science of how to plan for the future creatively, effectively and collaboratively. But that’s half of a solution – I also believe the Board must also check and measure progress using measurements for functional and operational status based on resident feedback.
Dan Kinney BOC District 2
•Introduction: I am retired after 40 years of public service as a supervisor in state and county government and have been a board member of community organizations, neighborhood groups and youth sports associations as well as a volunteer for animal protection and welfare. I am a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, married, with two adult children and two recued juvenile huskies, residing in Lower Topsail Township (Hampstead) and have been a 20- year resident of Pender County.
1. Why are you running for office? Most local and state officials are part-time with full-time interests other than our own. My interests are Pender County taxpayers, their families and the small businesses that are the backbone of our community. My experience has been listening to and learning from them - the most important stakeholders in a community. As a retired citizen, I have the time to address the issues and concerns of not only the Second District, but also the constituents of the entire county.
3. Three of the most important issues facing Pender County in 2024 and your ideas for solutions to the problems. There are more than three but let us look at 3 major issues: Uncontrolled overdevelopment in Eastern Pender County and its impact on traffic, schools and crime; Underdevelopment and
lack of investment in Western Pender County; Drugs and drug crime, particularly involving fentanyl.
•Eastern infrastructure is stressed, with residential and commercial development impacting roads, traffic, and the school population. However, roads and traffic are state and federal issues. But they do require extensive input from the County Commissioners and Planners. What can county government do, within the confines of state law, to moderate aggressive growth? If state laws need to change to address this, it is incumbent upon our commissioners to lobby the legislature for them. We must also ask why Highway 17 in Pender County can be a virtual parking lot while traffic flows freely along its counterpart in Brunswick County? What did Brunswick do right? What did Pender do wrong?
•In the West, we must continue to enhance and promote our 330-acre Pender Commercial Park which has welcomed both national and international businesses. There should be more recreational opportunities in the West. Why is Willard waiting half a decade for a ballfield while there is a half dozen in Hampstead?
Small businesses benefit the entire County. We can enhance business development by embracing Kamala Harris’s proposal to increase the tax deduction for small business start-ups ten-fold, from $5,000 to $50,000.
•Drugs and drug crimes, particularly involving Fentanyl, are plaguing our county. We need a drug treatment court as proposed by DA Rebecca Donaldson to address initial drug offenses primarily as mental health and addiction issues before punishing those caught up in the drug pandemic as hardened criminals. The county should also provide ready access and transportation to drug treatment programs for those trying to recover and rebuild their lives.
