Candidates square off for Pikeville board seats
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on November 5, 2007 1:45 PM
Six candidates vying for three available seats on Pikeville's town commission all agree the town needs more industry for a more productive tax base.
Candidate Todd S. Anderson said "there's no really hot-button issues for me here in Pikeville," but figures serving on the board is his civic duty.
"Clearly, I'm concerned as anybody would be in any small town -- you've got to bring businesses in, and if I were elected that's something that I would hope to explore," Anderson said.
Candidate Albert Greene said he "doesn't really have a platform, but he'd just like to see" progress on electrical upgrade and sewer projects he's worked on in his last two terms on the board.
"I think Pikeville will always be ... a bedroom community," Greene said. "We will have more homes and we may have some small businesses. I don't see Pikeville having a major industry."
Candidate Vance Greeson said he's looking to return to the board to add some oversight to public service demand charges, having served at least three terms in the past.
"The cost of living is pretty high in Pikeville, and even though we have upgraded the sewer system and the water system, it seems like we are right at capacity when we finish."
Candidate Dennis K. Lewis did not make his phone number available on election materials filed with the Wayne County Board of Elections.
Talmage "Thigie" Thigpen could not be reached for comment on Friday or Sunday.
Incumbent candidate Bruce Thomas did not return messages Friday or Sunday night for comment.