Duplin District 3 commission race
By Turner Walston
Published in News on April 11, 2006 1:48 PM
There is a crowd in the race for the District 3 commission race in Duplin County.
Incumbent Arliss Albertson will face Rebecca Judge in the Democratic primary, while Republicans Titus Swinson and Harold Raynor will campaign for that party's nomination.
The winners of each race will take on each other in the fall.
"It's just time for a different line of thinking," Mrs. Judge said. She said she recognizes the importance of the position. "I realize it's an awesome task," she said. "It's one thing from the outside looking in, and being on the inside."
Mrs. Judge said she would like to see commisioners get more input from constituents. "It's a two-way street," she said. "I think that the commissioners need to prioritize their spending better. Department heads need to cut the fat and be more accountable to the people."
Swinson too said he would represent the wishes of Duplin citizens.
"Our tax dollars are not being spent properly," he said. "I want to be a voice of the people. I want the people's ideas of how they want to spend their tax dollars."
A graduate of Chinquapin School, Swinson retired in 1997 as an auto mechanic.
"I support a sales tax instead of keep raising the property tax. There's people here that don't pay any taxes whatsoever."
"I want the taxpayers to give me their ideas, how they want this stuff done, so I can represent them in Kenansville and Duplin County."
Swinson said he understands the dilemmas facing commissioners.
"I'd like to see more industry brought in here, but to get industry here, you've got to give companies a break on taxes and give them workers."
Raynor said he wants to be a part of change in the county.
"It seems as though the tax rate and the spending is getting out of hand," he said. "I feel like I could step forward and maybe help change it."
A native of Duplin County, Raynor retired from the Navy in 1967 after 20 years, and returned to Duplin County, where he worked as a maintenance supervisor for Quinn Company before retiring in 1993.
Raynor said commissioners said look at all sides of an issue.
"What I'm going to try to do is look at all of it from a positive. Not a negative, but a positive side."
Raynor said he is confident in the county's future.
"I'd like it to be a place that when people visit, regardless of where they go to, Kenansville, River Landing, Rose Hill Winery. When they make a trip to visit, I'd like them to have a desire to return."
Albertson had not returned phone calls by press time.
Early voting begins Thursday, with primary elections ending May 2.