ashe county commissioner candidates

As Commissioner, I will work to make Ashe County an even better place for everyone to live. Threats of harming another 3. WebVoter registration status (e.g., active, removed) and reason for status; voter demographics, party affiliation, and address; voter county, precinct, and district information (e.g., NC Senate and House, judicial); when applicable, county commissioner and additional local districts (e.g. I realize that I will not please everyone. I will be a voice for the hardworking, struggling and disenfranchised people while also working to protect our natural environment. The Ashe Post & Times asked the same eight questions to each candidate and their responses are included here. Many citizens are unemployed. We may need to increase resources to law enforcement. Lets help Ashe County High School and Wilkes Community College strengthen work-ready training where our residents can find full time jobs that let them come closer to paying the cost of living. It is also imperative that we maintain our very low tax rate so that citizens can keep their hard earned money for the rest of lifes necessities. That is a very good time for anyone interested to come and see exactly what is done to set up the yearly budget. Beth Sorrell: I will strive to listen to all perspectives and dissenting viewpoints and work with everyone to find common ground or a healthy compromise, when necessary. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Tax money should be spent wisely and should benefit the majority of our residents. Weve been working with the school board to secure funding which I hope will take a lot of the burden off Ashe County taxpayers. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. All our contact information is available on the county website. As a commissioner, I would seek out every avenue that could be found, to ensure this problem could be addressed. William Sands: My role will be to provide our people with needed services, while operating county government as economically as possible. The substandard or lack of affordable housing across the age and income spectrums. Nothing is free and everything should be earned. WebCANDIDATE LIST GROUPED BY CONTEST ALAMANCE BOARD OF ELECTIONS CRITERIA: Election: 11/08/2022, Show Contest w/o Candidate: N, County: ALL COUNTIES, Data Source: FULL COUNTY VIEW ALAMANCE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CARTER, STEVEN JEFFERY Steve Carter 12/06/20212779 S CHURCH ST SUITE 331 REP Russell Killen: My role, as any of the commissioners should be, is to serve the citizens of Ashe County as a whole and not for my benefit. I grew up in the Crumpler community of Ashe County. We attend Jefferson United Methodist Church. Russell Killen: First of all, we need to have some kind of study as to what impact 221 is going to have to the county. I put my name in for consideration and was appointed. John Allen is 68. I think I should respect all ideas and input on issues, do my research, and make decisions based on what is best for the majority of our people. We are tasked with making sure the countys tax dollars are spent wisely and the citizens are receiving the most return on every dollar spent. If it is NOT good for Ashe County, I will vote NO every time. The commissioners role is to see that the county runs smoothly and to help bring and keep industry and businesses in the county. I would just hope that the ones who dont agree would do so respectfully. Why do you think transparency and accountability are important for a local government to be successful? I know many contractors who subcontract these jobs from outside Ashe County. I also founded the Mighty Mite Basketball League where we stressed fundamentals and helped establish the Wee Wolves at Mountain View. sanitation, school). Courthouse after being indicted on federal wire My contact information is available on the county website and I am always open to receive a call, text or email from you! that is degrading to another person. I put in my transfer in October of that year and have been here ever since. Our county government should continue in making every effort to see this happen. Russell Killen: I would like to be one of Ashe Countys commissioners as to have a voice in what is happening within the county. We should continue to invest wisely in our local educational system, prioritizing programs that directly help our students learn and succeed in the classroom. These people love their work and will work hard to get homes and apartments built for our citizens to dwell in because they love their hometown, and they want to contribute to their community. Were working with Wilkes Community College to tailor training to suit a potential employer. Email: steve.carter@alamance-nc.com Phone: 336-214-7606. We have also expanded our industrial park in Beaver Creek. The industrial park is a step in the right direction, but we need to look at how we can use our resources to entice more business and revenue. Unemployment, underemployment, and a lack of technical jobs in the county. The county seat is Jefferson . Beth Sorrell: Again, we have to listen to the people which means we need to find better ways to engage the community in that decision-making. 8. In 2000, I moved to Ashe County and fell in love with the people and the place. We'd love to hear eyewitness We need to give incentives to our schools to train and certify our youth in a career field before graduating high school. Look at the amazing greenway systems in Wilkes and Watauga Counties. Our youth in the high schools need to have an opportunity to learn a trade just as we did when I was in school. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. 7. 2. I am a native of Ashe County and a 1985 graduate of Ashe Central High School. Our non-certified employees, custodians, bus drivers, office staff, and assistants have not had a raise since 2008. I am married to Glenda Miller Wagoner. 3. Usually referred to by the military as an After Action report, we would then compare it to the presumptions the commissioners made as they planned this years County Budget.There appears to be a lot of uncertainty as we go forward and there is some speculation that COVID-19 may be with us for a long time. Four years ago I was proud to raise my hand in support of the Wilkes Community College expansion project. Otherwise, I have failed those who may have elected me to the office of Commissioner. 1. I obtained a BS degree in Business Management from the University of Alabama and retired as Manager of Energy Control with Duke Power Company. The primary duty of County Commissioners is approving a budget that spends your tax dollars wisely with a focus on helping our citizens fulfill their basic needs of affordable housing, food, and healthcare, in addition to education and recreation. Occasionally the county can take on projects funded by the state, if the county can commit to funding those programs in the future when state (and possibly federal) funds will inevitably dry up. We need an outreach program that can assist these families, NOT give them a free pass. That is going to be funded through a line item in the state budget and not from Ashe County property taxes. Of course, everyone thinks their project is the best one. First, I would consider what potential this project would have to benefit the county. We cant satisfy ourselves with just reacting to things. We must change this for our people to thrive in this housing market. How would you address the lack of affordable housing in Ashe County that both current and potential Ashe County residents are dealing with? Not everyone can go to college and not everyone can qualify or make it in the Military. I finished my career here and retired in 2014. The school system has a new pay scale that would help this, but it has to be funded by the county. I have been fortunate to manage to grow my business through all this and also hire more people to work. The need for good-paying jobs is also a priority. County Commissioner John Schoonmaker is 69. We have to balance the growth with good land-use policies that will protect the beautiful natural resources we love, including the fragile mountaintop environments and the New River. I spent three years in East Africa and saw the importance of good public health and community-based solutions. More people always involves needing all of the above. Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough, left, and Republican Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield, right, speak to poll workers in 2020. Growth comes from creating a career and knowing that one can provide for their family and grow with the company. 2. With climate change here now, we need to do a county or regional agricultural assessment to better prepare our farmers to continue our largest income producer for the county. Downtown Bellefonte pedestrian My name is Terry D. Wagoner and I would like to represent you as county commissioner. We have had some amazing folks that really care about our kids working in Ashe County and need to keep them working. I believe in being fiscally conservative, accountability, integrity and being forthright to the taxpayer. In the 2021 calendar year, there were almost 29,000 calls for service including fire, EMS and law enforcement. Tax incentives would be another step. Not only do these assets contribute to the quality of life in the county, they lead to healthier people and reduced chronic health problems. I want very much to meet the needs of our people. The Ashe Post & Times fielded eight questions to each of the commissioner candidates via email, whose responses are as follows: Jonathan Jordan: My name is Jonathan Jordan. 8. During my career, I was often tasked with defining community problems and their root cause. GE, AEV, United Chemi-con and Leviton are the heavy hitters as far as employment goes here in Ashe. I am a graduate of the Leadership for a Democratic Society Course at the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Va. Through my work with Ashe County Habitat for Humanity, Ive witnessed the urgent and enormous need for decent, affordable housing in Ashe County. 2. I am a member of the Ashe County Farmers Market and have served on the Board of Directors. I served eight years in Raleigh representing our area in the State House, where I was a strong advocate for all our citizens. Housing has become a major problem here in Ashe County. Transparency and accountability are necessary for building trust and for creating a safe environment for everyone to express their opinions and exercise their rights. We have dedicated, experienced employees and also volunteers who provide over 1,000 hours in serving our county each day. 2. There was an error processing your request. I came to Ashe County in 1994 when I was a member of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. While there, we built up several good-sized rainy day funds that have been critical in this pandemic. When any project is presented to the Board for consideration my first questions will be how will it improve Ashe County and what will the tax burden be both now and into the future. After high school I attended Wilkes Community College and Appalachian State University graduating with a degree in Public Relations. So far, our county if doing well financially federal and state money have assisted us in dealing with COVID-19 and our county tax revenue has increased at a faster rate than previous years. Made in the USA means we need good paying manufacturing jobs here is Ashe County. We are in the process of building a new middle school and expanding Wilkes Community College. I have been a licensed insurance agent since 1980 and enjoyed working with people and getting to know them and serving them. We could possibly look at helping build some more apartment buildings to alleviate some of the hardship so many people are having. Supporting the school system with current and future capital projects will always be challenging when allocating tax dollars for such long-term investments. Former Sheriff J. J. Jones is 63. 6. Everything the government does needs to be public knowledge unless for sensitive reasons, otherwise it would seem that an official or those officials have something to hide. We need to start planning now to accommodate this demand. Election Day takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3. Seven Republican candidates will face off in the upcoming May primary while one Democratic candidate will appear on the ballot for the November election. There was an error processing your request. What would you say your role would be as a member of the Ashe County Board of Commissioners? B. Phil Howell(R)New Riv I think drawing new industry to Ashe County is going to be difficult at best without some major incentives; its hard for us to compete with transportation and population advantages below the mountain. I encourage anyone with a question to reach out to me through email or by phone. Don't Threaten. Ive always sought opinions on decisions and Im not afraid to ask when I may not understand something or have all the available information. 2. Government is for the people and by the people and everyone deserves to know what their elected officials are up to and how they are spending our tax dollars. Don't Threaten. If it contains any language other than that, I am certainly not on board with it. During my 37-year career in the fire service, I was fortunate to have served in the capacity of fire chief in two municipalities and in my hometown volunteer fire department. Jerry Powers: All monies used in government have only recently been some taxpayers money, some donated to a good cause and most taken without the blessing of the contributor. This has put an unexpected strain on our public services. (See Attachment). WebWes Greene For Ashe County Commissioner Let's Work Together For Ashe County Republican Candidate For County Commissioner I believe in the people of Ashe County and protecting what we have while looking to improve where we need improvement. I can take constructive criticism but will not accept disrespect or hatefulness. 6. We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I believe that candidates are elected by the people, for the people and to conduct the peoples business at the will of the people. I am currently advocating for and will vote in support of adding a fourth ambulance to serve Ashe County. I had a coworker from Wilkes County that had gotten promoted and sent to the eastern part of the state that told me about Ashe County. 7. Better health care for significant portions of county residents and providing help for individuals with drug and alcohol dependencies. But we should continue to be very wise and careful with our spending. 4. Beth Sorrell: This pandemic has put a spotlight on the wide range of struggles that too many people in Ashe County have been living with for too long. Realizing some of our problems are shared to a varying degree by the other rural areas of the U.S., not being able to eradicate all or a significant portion of these problems in 20 years or more seems indicative of the need to try some different approaches. As of 2021 the median household income was $43,962 and per capita income was $25,282. 2. Jerry D. Powers: I was born in Ashe County, lived as a child in the Lansing/Helton area, graduated Northwest Ashe High School and have lived here more than 97 percent of my life. We should also continue to invest in our local healthcare, as I believe one critical service and need our rural area has is to keep a local healthcare provider. The other five Republican challengers are Mike Eldreth, Wes Greene, Mark Massey, Paula Perry and Terry Wagoner. I think there are things we can do to incentivize property owners to provide long-term rather than short rentals and come up with ways to rehab and use abandoned houses. If elected by the Ashe County voters, I plan to continue my record of Promises Made, Promises Kept, in local government as I did in the State House. Let our high schools train and qualify our students/future employees in the school setting so that when they graduate, they can go to work here in our hometown rather than having to leave family and loved ones to find work somewhere else. WebIm Beth Sorrell and Im running for Ashe County Commissioner. Secondly, we must have no child in our school system that goes without food other than what they receive in the school setting. Some of my community involvement is that I am a member and Past Master of Ashe Lodge #594, 32 Degree Scottish Rite Mason in which I am a lifetime member, a member of The Oasis Temple and Past President of the Ashe Shrine Club and a member of Jefferson Lodge No 38 of the Odd Fellows. I would check to see what programs might be available to help the potential builders, owners of buildings that can be converted into apartment rentals, and what the funding requires. Businesses are hurting due to being closed or operating on a part-time basis. I would ask for a cost benefit analysis and I would seek community input and listen to perspectives from those who would be affected by the project before deciding whether to support it. 3. As with this challenge, a tried-and-true method of defining this problem starts with collaborating with community stakeholders to identify the issues that contribute to the lack of affordable housing, arriving at conclusions which define a path to correct the problem, and then initiating a plan of action. What is your philosophy regarding making decisions for the county using taxpayer money?Jonathan Jordan: Its not my money; it belongs to the hard-working citizens who paid it in taxes. I understand the great trust the public puts in me as a commissioner to do the most good for as many people as possible. I have served in the role of commissioner since January 2018. Another huge attribute is fiber optic service to our county. My name is Mike Eldreth and i am a lifelong resident of Ashe County and am married to Dianne Eldreth, who is a member of the Ashe County Board of Education. Cost, longevity, having local companies complete the work for the project, length of the project, location of the project and the benefit to the local community will always be the forefront in my mind. Its our job as commissioners to make sure we have a seat at the table when the legislature is deciding on the budget. Ballotpedia provides I also believe with criticism comes the opportunity to improve upon myself. 1. We have three children, one grandchild, and eight ninths of another grandchild on the way. The wait is long because of the lack of skilled labor in these areas. Citizens will come to us with a concern or need and we as commissioners should be here to address those needs and concerns. Russell Killen: I am 59 years old and have been married to Diane Roland Killen for 35 years and we have two daughters and two grandkids. 1. I will work with the school board in any way that I can to help stop the challenges that the administration and teachers are facing that are not beneficial to the students. I have a Master of Science Degree in International Relations from Troy State University, European Campus, Kaiserslautern, Germany, August 1982. I may have helped you, or friends or family, in a sticky court situation. I just hope that at the end of my term I can proudly say I served the citizens of Ashe County to the best of my ability and go to sleep at night knowing I did my best. County government needs to get the basic job done for its local citizens with the most efficient use of resources provided by its citizens. Have you tried to hire a plumber or electrician lately? Im driven to find solutions and solve problems so that everyone can have a better quality of life here. Economic development includes any initiatives that improve infrastructure, enhance our education system, better our public safety, improve parks, and foster ways that incentivize and attract new businesses and jobs. Any and all decisions should be public knowledge to show that we are working for everyone to be glad they live here in beautiful Ashe County. Something like an apprenticeship program that accumulates documented hours of training and work toward a journeyman status or thereabouts. I feel this starts with the Commissioners and the School Board. If elected, what actions will you take or would like to see being taken to help the county rebound from the effects of the pandemic?Jonathan Jordan: The Ashe County Board of Commissioners should always take a conservative, cautious approach to budgeting. I am and have been the president of the Ashe County Youth Soccer league for the past 31 years. We must continue to be progressive while providing services to our citizens without increasing taxes. I am running for Commissioner because I think it is my civic duty to give back to the community that has been so good to me. There should be no hidden agendas in any government body. We want to protect our community, and keep us safe, while at the same time welcoming the economic prosperity that will come with increased visitation and folks moving here. WebCommissioners Meet Your Commissioners Our Commissioners are Chairman Todd McNeill, Vice Chair William Sands, Mike Eldreth, Jerry Powers, and Chuck Olive. ASHE COUNTY Six candidates are running for three open seats on the Ashe County Board of Commissioners one incumbent and five challengers. I intend to exploit that and fix that as a commissioner. I want to work with our school board to insure a strong budget, but also help make sure we spend money on the right things. We need to continue to develop all the potential of Ashe Early College. I am very grateful for this. Deaett R. Roten(D)Ashe County Sheriff 1.1. I know of one bus driver that works at Walmart after he delivers the students to school. There are several county programs that deserve all the help we can afford to give to them. I am a combat veteran of the Iraq War, serving three combat tours and achieving the highest rank for the enlisted force of Marines as a Sergeant Major/E9. William Sands: I have been commissioner for 10 years and served two years as Chairman. I was appointed to the BROC Board (Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission) when I was an Ashe County Commissioner (2016-2020). If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. If someone offered a project proposal to the board of commissioners, how would you evaluate whether the project was worth funding? Criticism comes with the job and I understood that when I started. We will actively seek to establish partnerships between government, private sector, nonprofit organizations and the faith community to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to ensure our county is resilient and able to address and solve the problems of various communities in our county. That is an absolute waste of taxpayer dollars as well as misappropriations of public funds with no one being held to account. Recording meetings is one way that the residents who cannot attend meetings can keep up with discussions, issues, and decisions. Russell Killen: We as commissioners should look at using taxpayers money as if it was our own and make common sense decisions based on what the needs of the county and its offices are. Next, what would be involved to see this project to completion? Along with that comes differences of opinion. A good job is a main reason for success for everyone. We live on the Boggs Rd. Although I love traveling and living among other cultures, Ive always been drawn back to my roots in the Appalachian Mountains. We should all be in this together. I currently serve on the board of the Ashe County Home Builders Association. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. I dont believe we will see normal as we knew it before. It happened when I was a student here and it can happen now. Success! It is not the school systems job. I previously served on the boards of directors of the Ashe County Free Medical Clinic, the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce, and the Ashe County Pregnancy Care Center. Russell Killen: We here in the county have homelessness and also need more affordable housing, along with making sure that all citizens have access to food.

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