Jack Best files for county commissioner seat
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on January 22, 2004 2:03 PM
Walnut Creek Councilman Jack Best plans to try for higher office -- Wayne County commissioner.
A Democrat, Best said this morning that he will run in District 6, the seat now held by Commissioner Ken Gerrard. Gerrard, also a Democrat, has said he won't run again, and no other candidates have announced yet in the district.
"As a lifelong resident of Wayne County, my desire to run for county commissioner comes from a sense of pride in my community," he said.
If elected, he would try to make decisions that would benefit the entire county, rather than merely his district, he added.
Best retired as president of Best Distributing Co. after working in the family business for 39 years. Being a businessman gave him the experience and ability to make tough decisions, he said.
He now is a partner in Best Commercial Development, but that will not prevent him from devoting the time required of county commissioners, he said.
"I would like to see the county be fiscally sound and progressive. I have the time and the desire to be of service," he said.
Both Gerrard and Goldsboro City Councilman Chuck Allen have encouraged Best to file for the county board, Best said. Allen is planning his own run for the commissioners' at-large seat, now held by Atlas Price.
Best is now in his third year on the Walnut Creek Village Council. He has not run for any other office.
He is married to Ellen Derby Best. They have three children: Mary Hope Crocker, a teacher at Rosewood Elementary School; Munroe Best of Goldsboro, marketing manager for Best Distributing Co.; and Eleanor Scott Best, a student at Wake Forest University.
He is a member of First Presbyterian Church.