Grange hosts forum for voters to meet candidates
By Melinda Harrell
Published in News on October 15, 2014 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MELINDA HARRELL
From left, Viola Figueroa, president of the African-American Caucus of the Wayne County Democratic Party, Valerie Conyers, secretary of the AAC of the Wayne County Democratic Party, and Barbara Barnes, wife of candidate for sheriff Glenn Barnes, discuss issues before the start of the Grantham Grange Candidate Forum Monday.
On Monday the Grantham Grange offered a three-minute platform for candidates to say what they would do if they were voted into office.
Candidates seeking seats on the board of education, board of commissioners, N.C. General Assembly as well as seats as judges on the court of appeals, sheriff and district attorney all spoke on the changes they would make or the progress they would continue should they be elected this time around.
Billy Crawford, president of the Grantham Grange, said the forum was created and continued to educate people on the candidates before they go to the polls.
"We want our community to have an informed vote. We want them to meet candidates and be an educated voter," Crawford said.
N.C. SENATE
Candidates Republican Sen. Louis Pate and his opposition, Democratic candidate Erik Anderson, spoke briefly about what they intended to accomplish should they be elected.
Sen. Pate said, "I have constantly fought in the General Assembly for better education for our children, and since I have been in the Senate my attention has been drawn to Medicaid."
Pate highlighted a $2 billion shortfall in Medicaid, that he says resulted in "teachers (not getting) the raises they deserve and more money didn't go to education."
"So I pledge to you, if I am reelected in November, we will continue to work on Medicaid and get it under control for the citizens of North Carolina," Pate concluded.
Erik Anderson's focus was geared to infrastructure and the state government offering more help financially to local municipalities and county government to help with law enforcement and education.
"My three big issues are roads, bridges and infrastructure. Those are things that the state needs to help out and pay for. Those are the big issues in our state now," Anderson said.
"We can't let all the funds stay in Raleigh and Mecklenburg County, it needs to come back east."
WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Candidates that were present running for county board of commissioners seats were Ed Cromartie and Joe Gurley.
Cromartie is currently serving as commissioner for District 2.
"My goal is to represent everyone. My goal is to encourage people to vote for me, but I I am also here to encourage everyone who lives here to talk to everyone in my district at church, in the grocery store - to encourage them to vote for the person that will always be looking out for the citizens.
"We aren't talking about parties, we are talking about citizens," Cromartie said.
He said if he was re-elected his focus would remain on the education of children in the county, as well as young adults, and assisting senior citizens.
Joe Gurley, running for a seat on the county commissioners for District 4, said his focus should he be reelected would be on maintaining an efficient government.
"It is very crucial that we have an effective and efficient county government. We must reduce waste and not overburden our taxpayers.
"If we maintain an efficient and effective government, we can provide more for our senior citizens. We also need to do what we can to provide a bright future for our youth," Gurley said.
Gurley said to provide a positive future for the youth of the county it was imperative to acquire more job opportunities and maintain them once those opportunities arrive.
WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF
Candidates for sheriff, Larry Pierce and Glenn Barnes, offered their views on how the office of sheriff should be managed and why they were the best choice.
Sheriff Larry Pierce said he was qualified to be sheriff because of his many years of law enforcement experience and his role in running a family business.
Pierce highlighted the new programs that the sheriff's department has launched under his leadership, like the Detention Prevention Program that has recently been launched to deter students from unlawful behavior, the trash pick up program and increase medical coverage at the jail.
"We did all this, and by rearranging internal controls, cut the budget by $300,000, which is a savings to you," Pierce said.
Pierce's opposition, Barnes, said he has spent extensive years in law enforcement and been involved in budgetary and hiring processes throughout his career, which would make him qualified to be sheriff.
He also highlighted a goal of expanding programs for the youth of the county.
"I do have some goals in mind that I would like to do. I want to expand the programs for the young people, to give them a structured environment. The traditional family doesn't exist anymore, and that needs to be replaced by people who care," Barnes said.
"The county has a lot to offer, and I have a lot to give to the county."
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Terry Lite, who is running against Matthew Delbridge for the district attorney seat, said she would be suited for the position because of her amenable relationships with other government officials and her traits of fairness and toughness.
"I'm here to ask for you for your vote, after I tell you about myself," Mrs. Lite said.
Mrs. Lite said she has been a prosecutor for the area for many years and knows the qualities a good District Attorney must have.
"The first thing that I want you to know is a district attorney must be tough, and I assure you that I am. I am a fair person. I listen to facts, I listen to people and respect people. I am also on the side of the people of this district. My number one priority is protecting you and your family," Mrs. Lite said.
Matthew Delbridge did not attend the forum.
WAYNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
John Grantham, incumbent on the board of education and his challenger Jennifer Strickland were also there to offer their platforms on education.
Grantham highlighted to continued construction of schools and his knowledge of the projects as a reason to reelect him to the Wayne County Board of Education.
"I have a lot of experience with these contracts. I am familiar with ongoing contracts right now and I am the only one on the board with knowledge of construction. I have been doing construction since 1980. I know what to expect. I know what is legitimate and what is fair," Grantham said.
He also highlighted the progress the school board and the commissioners have made with the capital projects, which include construction of the new Grantham school.
Mrs. Strickland, Grantham's challenger, said she is running for office to "stand in the gap between schools and Raleigh."
Mrs. Strickland said as a mother it was her job to protect her children and through protecting her children - if serving on the school board -- she will be able to protect the constituents' children.
"I have been a little concerned with the way the school board -- central office -- has been a supporting Common Core. There are a lot of concerns with Common Core that need to be addressed," Mrs. Strickland said.
She said Common Core has teachers focused more on assessing students than teaching them, and they do not have the time to spend to teach those students because of all the testing.
COURT OF APPEALS
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has 19 candidates for one seat. Sabra Faires was the only candidate to speak at the forum for this seat. Faires said a judge should be diligent, fair, without an ideological agenda, collegiate and of good temperament.
"I have those qualities and that would make a good judge," Ms. Faires said.
"I am unaffiliated. I do not believe that any party has all the right ideas. I believe that non-partisanship is a core value for a judge."
Billy Strickland, local attorney, was at the forum to represent John Tyson who is also a candidate for the seat. Strickland highlighted Tyson's work ethic during his presentation to the audience.
OTHER CANDIDATES
Other candidates that were present, but unopposed this election year were N.C. House of Representatives John Bell and Jimmy Dixon and Pam Minshew, candidate for clerk of court. Justice Bob Hunter had a representative there to speak for him as well. Judge Eric Levinson also had Billy Strickland represent him during the forum. He is running for N.C. Supreme Court as well.