J.D. Evans to run again
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on January 19, 2004 2:02 PM
County Commissioner J.D. Evans has announced that he will seek re-election in District 3.
"Serving as a county commissioner for the last four years has afforded me an opportunity to provide leadership to move the county to a higher level of achievement of desired goals," Evans said.
The county has made good progress on issues that Evans promoted during his 2000 campaign, he said. The board has worked together in a spirit of congeniality and cooperation, he added.
The county is planning for the future, setting realistic objectives for development and progress, he said.
Evans released a "visionary statement" for 2004.
He wrote, "It is my desire to create, develop and live in a Wayne County that's gentle, with people who are kind to each other and who are willing to sit beside each other to work out differences that hinder communication, cooperation and genuine care for each other."
Wayne County, he said, must provide the following:
*"Educational opportunities of excellence in all schools."
*"Assistance to citizens who might not be able to provide adequately for themselves" -- adequate funding for Social Services will be key.
*"Hope for citizens who live day-to-day in stressful and other situations" -- Eastpointe mental health agency needs support in helping these people, he said.
*Medical services through the Health Department to allow citizens to live long, productive lives.
*Law enforcement services to allow people to feel safe.
The county must do more to mobilize parents to support schools, he said. Funding needs to be increased at all levels of education, he added.
He is also concerned about support for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base; maintaining diversity of county boards and committees; improving the Gateway transit system; promoting economic growth and industrial recruitment; completion of the U.S. 117 Bypass; and promoting countywide sewer.
Evans, of Dudley, was appointed to the county board in mid-2000 to replace Jimmie Ford, who had become a state legislator. He was elected in November 2000 to a four-year term.
Evans spent his career as an educator in Wayne County, first as a science and math teacher at the former Carver High School in Mount Olive and later as assistant principal at Southern Wayne High School. He then became director of the Diagnostic Center for the school administration.
He has earned advanced degrees in education at East Carolina University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Elizabeth City State University.
Before his election as commissioner, Evans served as chairman of the Wayne County Planning Board. As a commissioner, he has served on the Social Services Board.
He and his wife, Shirley, have four children. They attend United Church of Christ at Dudley.