Anderson wants to add balance
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on June 6, 2004 2:02 AM
Wayne County Commissioner Andy Anderson doesn't plan many changes following his near-certain re-election this fall.
"After 11-plus years as a commissioner, most people know how I think and vote and the values I stand for," Anderson said in his campaign statement.
He continued, "I believe that the greatest contribution that I offer to the commissioner board is a strong conservative voice to balance the board. While I am a conservative, I offer many ideas and actions to move our county forward and to improve jobs for our adults and children moving to take our place."
Anderson, a Republican, is unopposed in the county's District 1, which covers northern Wayne.
Anderson filed for re-election so that he can continue to advocate for improvements to the county's infrastructure. He has pushed for quality roads, particularly the completion of the new U.S. 117 and the construction of a U.S. 70 bypass. He has also worked to ensure water, sewer and natural gas access throughout the county.
He has been an advocate for the Goldsboro-Wayne Airport. "Our airport is one of the state's best and one of the very few that has enough aircraft and business to virtually pay its own way," he said.
He called the sheriff's office "second to none" and is proud that the landfill has enough land for 50 years, he said.
But "all is not roses," he said. "We have daunting challenges for our education system."
School buildings and the teacher workforce have not kept up with the growing student population, he said. "Band-Aids will not solve the problem now.
"We must all sit down together and look at realistic needs that will take us into the future, yet not seek shallow plans that will take us into the poor house."
He is also committed to job creation and to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, he said.
"I sincerely believe our economy is on the upswing and we need to move out to stay ahead of the pack. With the public's support, I vow to lead the effort towards that goal," he concluded.
Anderson, 68, was born and reared in Edgecombe County on a tobacco farm. He graduated with honors from Leggett High School and received a geological engineering degree from N.C. State University. After 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, he retired as a colonel, having served as a pilot, navigator, maintenance commander and nuclear weapons commander.
Anderson and his wife, Dawn, live on Airport Road near Pikeville. They have three sons.