ashe county commissioner candidates

Except for a few areas, all county activities are a matter of public record. Continued development of Ashe County as a year-round tourist destination with the businesses and jobs tourism brings.The effects of ongoing climate change to our agricultural business in the County and planning for The New Normal if and when COVID-19 settles down a little. My goal is to make sure we the people are able to have a say in what goes on in Ashe County. WebSteven J. Carter. I would ask for a cost benefit analysis and I would seek community input and listen to perspectives from those who would be affected by the project before deciding whether to support it. Too much secrecy can lead to abuse of power and a lack of accountability. I always will make to time to discuss any concerns someone may have. that is degrading to another person. As a Commissioner I would bring up for a vote, incentives for businesses who move here and employ the good people of Ashe County. Beth Sorrell: This pandemic has put a spotlight on the wide range of struggles that too many people in Ashe County have been living with for too long. The real estate market is a tough nut to crack. Commissioner candidates share their thoughts on numerous topics ahead of 2022 election season. We have had some amazing folks that really care about our kids working in Ashe County and need to keep them working. Beth Sorrell: My personal vision is to grow the outdoor economy by partnering with other organizations and investing in more outdoor recreation like greenways, bike paths, public access points on the New River and a public swimming pool. I am proud to have been unanimously elected by my fellow commissioners as chairman for each of the last 4 years. In January, former Rensselaer County Elections Commissioner Jason Schofield pleaded guilty to unlawfully using the names and dates of birth of voters to fraudulently Every subject should offer them the knowledge that ensures they will be able to succeed after graduation. We won't share it with anyone else. accounts, the history behind an article. That is going to be funded through a line item in the state budget and not from Ashe County property taxes. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Elected Officials City of Adamsville City of Crump Town of Saltillo City of Savannah City of Milledgeville [email protected] MON, TUE, THUR, FRI - 8:00AM - 4:00PM WED- 8:00AM-12PM CLOSED 12:00PM - 1:00PM FOR LUNCH But we should continue to be very wise and careful with our spending. Uneven distribution of healthcare to County residents. The hourly wage and monthly income for a home in Ashe County these days is most unattainable by the average citizen in Ashe. There will be times that difficult decisions have to be made and there will be times that people will disagree on these decisions. If someone offered a project proposal to the board of commissioners, how would you evaluate whether the project was worth funding? That is definitely one of the most complex problems facing Ashe County and the nation as a whole. All commissioners can be contacted by emailing [email protected] Jerry D. Powers New electee Republican Farmer who A higher than average number of residents living below the poverty level. They should listen to the people and work hard to create a better place for everyone to make a living and reach their fullest potential. I think it is very important. In 1987, I returned to the U.S., was assigned to the Armys Intelligence and Security Command, was promoted to GS-15 (The Senior grade for government Civilian employees) and became the Director of the Armys Plans, Programs, and Low Intensity Conflict Divisions. I will also work to grow existing partnerships with the community college and local businesses to create more apprenticeship and training programs, focusing on local agriculture and innovative economic opportunities. Having survived 49 of those meetings makes me believe I wont have many problems to face. 1. 1. We'd love to hear eyewitness Second, if the proposal is feasible, how can we find the funds to implement the proposal? I think I should respect all ideas and input on issues, do my research, and make decisions based on what is best for the majority of our people. As your next commissioner I would like to look at every opportunity that becomes available. When any project is presented to the Board for consideration my first questions will be how will it improve Ashe County and what will the tax burden be both now and into the future. I feel this starts with the Commissioners and the School Board. We will have all the utilities in place to make the site shovel ready for potential businesses. Right now the waiting lists for our few childcare centers are years long. I intend to exploit that and fix that as a commissioner. Ashe County, right now, has 626 part-time jobs available. Whether it was intelligence operations in some far flung part of the world, analysis of the five core infrastructural areas of the Egyptian government for the U.S. Embassy: Cairo, or building the River Flood Forecasting System in Central America for NOAA. The Commissioners, the Board of Education, and all other agencies of Ashe need to work together for the good of all Ashe County students. Lets use our scenery, fishing, canoeing and hiking to create opportunities for smaller, community owned businesses. Use the 'Report' link on 3 of 11 4 of 11. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. I will try to understand all sides of the issue and learn as much as possible to make a decision that is best for the future of Ashe County. And those citizens need places to live and housing is a big issue here. William Sands: I believe that money coming into the county from tourism should be used in assisting small businesses and to make improvements and/or create the things that draw tourist and their money. The commissioners role is to see that the county runs smoothly and to help bring and keep industry and businesses in the county. In your view, what is the boards role as a whole?Jonathan Jordan: Ashe County commissioners are our elected board of directors for our county government. My name is Mike Eldreth and i am a lifelong resident of Ashe County and am married to Dianne Eldreth, who is a member of the Ashe County Board of Education. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. I have a Master of Science Degree in International Relations from Troy State University, European Campus, Kaiserslautern, Germany, August 1982. We need more companies like GE and United Chemi-Con to locate here in our area. Jonathan Jordan: I am asking for your support to become an Ashe County Commissioner because I want to continue to help and give back to our community in any way I can. The children are the future of the county and not just the responsibility of the school system. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. I live in the Glendale Springs area of Ashe County. We will maintain a local government that is effective, efficient, responsible and accountable. Our job is to work with the town boards to ensure the infrastructure is in place to attract future construction and growth. 4. 2. 4. I am currently advocating for and will vote in support of adding a fourth ambulance to serve Ashe County. Weve secured grants to prepare the new business park on Ray Taylor Road. We may need to increase resources to law enforcement. Russell Killen: We here in the county have homelessness and also need more affordable housing, along with making sure that all citizens have access to food. With climate change here now, we need to do a county or regional agricultural assessment to better prepare our farmers to continue our largest income producer for the county. I know of one bus driver that works at Walmart after he delivers the students to school. Jim Cain: I would love to see Ashe County become a tourist destination of choice and not just the place to come buy a Christmas tree each year. 7. If it is good for the people of Ashe County, it is good for me. Tax money should be spent wisely and should benefit the majority of our residents. or to help those who are truly deserving. The monies that are coming from the federal government to assist in this ongoing problem has a leak somewhere between the Federal, State and Local government. Bring in good paying jobs and put people to work to be able to afford and build a home of their own and the housing problem can be solved. I appreciate his leadership. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Our citizens and communities certainly deserve better than that. We can learn from neighboring counties about innovative ways to grow our outdoor economy without sacrificing our quality of life. The Ashe Post & Times asked the same eight questions to each candidate and their responses are included here. Mike Eldreth(R) 1.3. Jim Cain: Unemployment, underemployment and the lack of enough technical businesses and technical jobs in the county. I enjoyed the country life growing up in Ashe County and after my service, I returned home in 2015. 7. We are required to keep a certain savings level by state law, which my experience in Raleigh demonstrated to be a wise policy choice. WebFor Candidates For Candidates Running for Office Filing for Candidacy Terms of Office Candidate Challenges Withdrawal of Candidacy Petitions Results & Data Results & Data Election Results Voting Maps/Redistricting Candidate Lists Voter Turnout Absentee & Provisional Data Voter Registration Data Voter History Data Polling Place Data Campaign I am a Mazter Mason and a member of a variety of veteran organizations to include the Military Officers of America and Vietnam Veterans of America. General election for Ashe County Board of Commissioners (3 seats) Beth Sorrell, Mike Eldreth, Todd A. McNeill, and Chuck Olive ran in the general election for Ashe 3. sanitation, school). Any and all decisions should be public knowledge to show that we are working for everyone to be glad they live here in beautiful Ashe County. In having the economic growth, there would be more employment opportunities for careers. Growth comes from creating a career and knowing that one can provide for their family and grow with the company. 1. While everything increases in price through inflation Housing prices and availability needs some additional study and help. The planning execution and follow up were always the same, ensuring valid expenditures to reliable vendors, proper receipting and total visibility. Because of leaning more toward tourism in recent decades, we have failed the industry that existed before. We as a board cant control market forces but if we can help have the infrastructure in place to make building for a developer more enticing. We won't share it with anyone else. Once a project is approved, I will need to see the whole plan, blueprints, and monies expected up front before any money is approved. William Sands: I keep a level head, handle dissenting views and manage/resolve conflict very well. I know that the budget meetings that take place in June are open to the public. Realizing some of our problems are shared to a varying degree by the other rural areas of the U.S., not being able to eradicate all or a significant portion of these problems in 20 years or more seems indicative of the need to try some different approaches. I would hope to strengthen our relationship with state government and continue to obtain our fair share of state tax revenues. This will certainly be something I will push for if elected as Commissioner for Ashe County. racist or sexually-oriented language. We need to give incentives to builders in the local population to build homes that the average person can afford. I grew up in the Crumpler community of Ashe County. The things that are being implemented now such as the US 221 construction were begun years ago. In 1991, after graduation from The Federal Executive Institute, I was appointed to the senior executive Service (The top 2000 government civilians, all reporting to political appointees, normally Department heads). that is degrading to another person. Items such as the budget, meeting agendas and salaries are all available to any citizen that wants to see them. Allocation of tax dollars toward any project demands thorough review and due diligence. As an elected official, it is important to remember that almost all frustration and complaints are coming from a place of genuine concern for our community, and as your commissioner it is my job to LISTEN and take action. While traveling back and forth from our capital, I earned a strong conservative record for my support of the ideals articulated in the U.S. Constitution: limited and transparent government, individual rights, personal responsibility and a healthy culture. As commissioner, I will look at successful programs in other rural counties with similar demographics and learn how to adapt those ideas to serve our county. 4. By Nathan Ham I have been proud to support our industrial park and community college expansion projects so that our workforce is well positioned to attract new and growing businesses. Were working with Wilkes Community College to tailor training to suit a potential employer. Our nation deserves better than this and it starts at the local level. 4. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Be Truthful. I have been fortunate to manage to grow my business through all this and also hire more people to work. We need an updated recreational facility that would include an Olympic-size pool and a new soccer facility and would encourage recreational activities that are life long. And finally, thank you to the Ashe County Post and Times for allowing me this opportunity to let my voice be heard on the things that matter to me and my family. Look at requirements for lot size for building, what restrictions are on the manufactured homes, multi-family (duplex) homes, and apartment buildings. After graduation, I enlisted in and served 27 years in the United States Marine Corps from 10/28/1985 until my retirement on 10/31/2012. Good local government works best with engagement and input from citizens. Jerry Powers: All monies used in government have only recently been some taxpayers money, some donated to a good cause and most taken without the blessing of the contributor. Taxpayer funding in local communities is also personal for me since it is my money too that is being expended. Choose wisely! Its become a normal part of my life and Im ready to put that practice to use as a county commissioner. We'd love to hear eyewitness During that time I spent two more years in Vietnam (1973-1975), two more years in Bangkok, Thailand, a year in German language school and then 10 consecutive years in Germany. 8. Jim Cain: For the 20 years that I have lived full-time in the county I have seen the same group of problems which never seem to disappear or be solved. As many of the residents of Ashe know, I have assisted through my auctions free of charge to help many people in need because of health and or accident situations in which I have done with pride and no regrets. In my past, serving as a Untied States Marine for 27 years, I have always been held to account by my peers. How would you encourage employment and economic development in Ashe County? Businesses are hurting due to being closed or operating on a part-time basis. Having a well-trained workforce is the first, and most important, step towards attracting new industry to our county. Error! These people love their work and will work hard to get homes and apartments built for our citizens to dwell in because they love their hometown, and they want to contribute to their community. May 2:Restaurant owner Randy Burleson is 57. Error! Accordingly, I would always be a willing team member, following the lead of other commissioners as long as progress of our actions and efforts are helping improve the life of Ashe County residents. These are just some of the issues Id like to address. 8. As of 2021 the median household income was $43,962 and per capita income was $25,282. We are a tourist destination and we need to help make the citizens of Ashe proud of the place in which we live. What are the goals of the project and the objectives to obtain those goals? In the past we have allocated and paid taxpayer monies for projects that never seen the first pencil struck to paper or the first shovel in the ground. I may have helped you, or friends or family, in a sticky court situation. Transparency and accountability are necessary for building trust and for creating a safe environment for everyone to express their opinions and exercise their rights. Because we lack the curriculum or the ability to teach, train, and certify students in our high school for work after schooling, we have failed that generation and generations to come. I encourage all citizens to attend and participate in meetings. Although I love traveling and living among other cultures, Ive always been drawn back to my roots in the Appalachian Mountains. Jerry Powers: Allowing those who have ideas and personal funding to enhance our county, while assuring that citizens are not adversely affected by such activity. William Sands: I was part of the Board of Commissioners that planned the 2020-21 budget. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. I am a member of Bald Mountain Baptist Church. 6. I think we need to concentrate our efforts to address housing in the city limits of our three municipalities. I will strive to understand where the criticism is coming from and use it constructively in my work serving the people of Ashe County. The Ashe Post & Times asked each Ashe County Commissioner candidate to provide a short bio along with responses to a series of questions for publication. person will not be tolerated. During my career, I was often tasked with defining community problems and their root cause. We could possibly look at helping build some more apartment buildings to alleviate some of the hardship so many people are having. My office is located in Jefferson, just around the corner from the courthouse. Some of the best carpenters, mechanics, welders and plumbers to name a few careers, came from my peers in our school system from my days in the Ashe County School System. I may have helped you or your family draw up your wills or business contracts. Ive discovered that the most important part of the job is being an advocate for the people of our county. 7. You have permission to edit this article. 2. Failure to change puts us farther behind. Then, it would be good to find out from all that present this project, what the long-range effect might have on the county as a whole. Secondly, we must have no child in our school system that goes without food other than what they receive in the school setting. I would also uses high technology to improve business processes and other areas where I have quite a bit of experience and could contribute.

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