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Beaufort race features seven
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NEWS-TIMES
LORI WYNN
BEAUFORT — It’s almost that time again for town residents to make their picks for the town board of commissioners and mayor, and a list of candidates have emerged for the running.
Two seats on the town board of commissioners, as well as the mayoral seat, are up for grabs in the 2009 municipal elections, and voters here have seven candidates to choose from for the three open positions.
Mayor Richard Stanley and Commissioner Charles McDonald are the only incumbents seeking re-election. Commissioner Math Chaplain announced his decision not to run again earlier this year.
Mayor Stanley will face political newcomer Jon Besch on Election Day, while Commissioner McDonald will face Ann Carter, Ed Book, Ralph Merrill and Travis Masters.
Candidates will have a chance to sound off on issues and questions of town residents during a League of Women Voters forum set for 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse.
Election Day is Nov. 3, but voters will be able to cast ballots during the one-stop early voting period from Oct. 15-31. One-stop voting can be done at the County Board of Election’s office in the Beaufort Square shopping center and at the Western Park Community Center at 275 Old Highway 58 in Cedar Point.
The News-Times requested biographical information from each of the candidates. The following is a synopsis of their statements.
Beaufort Mayor
Jon Besch
Address: 420 Pollock St., Beaufort, N.C. 28512.
Date of birth: June 2, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wis.
Family: Brother, Matthew Besch of Beaufort; and parents, Veronica and Charles Besch of Overland Park, Kan.
Education: Lexington Catholic High School, 1995; Carteret Community College, 2009-present.
Occupation: Co-owner of In Your Head Advertising; bartender at Backstreet Pub; and mate for Beaufort Inlet Watersports.
Political Experience: None.
Civic activities: Beaufort Music Festival Committee, 2007-present; member of the Friends of the Museum, 2008-present; member of the Chamber of Commerce, 2008-present; member of the Beaufort Business Association, 2008-present; and softball coach for Backstreet Brewers.
Qualifications: The leadership lessons I learned while in the U.S. Navy have taught me to be an effective and thoughtful leader. With honor, courage and commitment, I will lead Beaufort toward a greener and better future.
Positions and goals: If elected, I will be a more visible, accessible mayor. It is important that the mayor of Beaufort set an example for everyone, in being actively involved in the community and leading by example. I would like to see the town government become more transparent – by that I mean a Web cam in town meetings and weekly Internet-based newsletters.
I believe that the basketball and tennis courts are essential to our community. If they are to be displaced, I think they should be located at a more convenient location. Tearing down community goods for development should not be allowed.
Should the town fund the bicycle plan recently endorsed by the town planning board? Absolutely. Not only will the bicycle plan make Beaufort more attractive, it will also make it greener. I ride my bike to work, and try to ride it on my errands, as well. At times it is dangerous. The bicycle plan will encourage tourist and locals alike to ride their bikes. And that may help with the parking issues, not to mention the earth.
I moved here from Key West, Fla. I know firsthand the trials and tribulations of being a “working person.” Affordable housing is essential to any town. In Key West, providing affordable housing for the workforce was of the most importance. The tourism industry is responsible for 10.2 percent of world gross domestic product. Spending in the United States exceeds $72.3 billion in tourism-based industries. Beaufort needs to accommodate not only the tourist, but also the workforce. Affordable housing could be accomplished by increasing occupancy taxes at local bed and breakfasts and hotels.
Contact: e-mail, jonbesch@yahoo.com; or phone, 732-5887.
Beaufort Mayor
Richard L. Stanley
Address: 207 Turner St., Beaufort, N.C.
Date of birth: Jan. 21, 1946, in Jacksonville, N.C. Moved to Beaufort at age 3.
Family: I am married to Lucia L. Stanley and have adult daughters who reside in North Carolina, an adult stepson residing in Bangor, Maine, and two grandsons. My mother and two brothers are Beaufort natives and my mother will be 92 years old on her birthday Sept. 24.
Education: I am honored to have graduated from Beaufort High School in 1964 and was in one of the last classes before consolidation. I attended undergraduate and law school at Wake Forest University and received a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law in 1968 and a Juris Doctor Degree in 1970.
Occupation: I have been a practicing attorney since 1970 and have over 30 years of experience in municipal law, having served as county attorney and town attorney for Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and other governmental agencies.
Political Experience: I presently serve as mayor of Beaufort and I am running for re-election for an additional two-year term. In all probability this will be my last term if I am fortunate to be re-elected.
Qualifications: I am completing my first term as mayor of Beaufort but have served the public for over 30 years as an attorney extensively involved in municipal and governmental law. I served as Beaufort Town Attorney between 1978 and 1974 when urban renewal was being completed, and assisted with the leasing, sale and legal work involved with the placement of the Inlet Inn, town docks and other buildings and facilities developed as part of our beautiful waterfront. Protecting and enhancing our facilities and our natural resources is most important to me.
Civic activities: I have served as president and board member for several terms for the Beaufort Historical Association, several terms including a present term as a director of the Beaufort Historical Foundation, board member and two-term president of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, board member of the former County Tourism Board and presently serve as chair of the County Transportation Committee. I have also been appointed to the League of Municipalities Planning and Legislative Services Committee.
Qualifications: I am a Beaufort native having lived in the town or Beaufort Township most of my life. I have put in many hours as mayor, listening to citizens, studying the issues and bringing facts and issues to the board, town personnel and agencies that need to be addressed. As mayor I have presided over meetings in a fair, orderly and respectful manner and provided leadership and supervision in planning and providing municipal services, facilities and finances, which are crucial needs of local government.
Positions and goals: Beaufort has many continuing issues, such as needed water system improvements, a new fire and police headquarters, overgrown town hall facilities, enhancement of our commercial areas and protection of our business climate and owners, recreational facilities, bike and walking paths, etc.
The board has just appointed a new manager with excellent credentials and background who will lead the town hopefully for many years.
We need to explore ways to acquire or use the downtown post office proposed for closure and continue to protect, enhance and boost our waterfront attractions and local business climate. All of this must be done with fairness to all citizens and based upon our ability to afford the financial costs. The burden this will place on our citizens and property owners who have suffered during the two-year recession must be at the forefront.
Contact: I may be contacted at my office at 728-7200, home at 728-4445, or cell telephone 241-2383. My office e-mail address is Rstanleylaw@earthlink.net and my home e-mail address is Rstanley1@ec.rr.com.
Beaufort Commissioner
Ann H. Carter
Address: 1113 Front St., Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: May 3, 1934, in Olympia, Wash.
Family: Widow of George Carter; four children; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Education: Graduate of DePaul Hospital School of Nursing with honors, registered nurse; Associate of Arts degree from Lenoir Community College with honors; and attended ECU.
Occupation: Owner and manager of GW Carter Tile Co. Inc. in Beaufort.
Political Experience: Previously served on the town board and board of adjustment and previous and current member of the planning board; and also former mayor.
Civic activities: Board member and volunteer with the Broad Street Clinic, member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Beaufort Ole Towne Rotary, BHA, Friends of the N.C. Maritime Museum and N.C. Coastal Federation.
Qualifications: I have extensive and broad experience in town government in both appointed and elected positions and am knowledgeable about the issues and problems facing the town. I also have been actively involved in local civic and environmental organizations and own and operate a local business. As a result I have considerable experience and background on which to draw to provide a solid and rational basis for decision-making.
Positions and goals: Growth is inevitable but must be carefully planned – both short term and long term – to maintain the sense of community so important to Beaufort citizens. I would like to see the town develop an extensive needs assessment and establish a priority system, updated annually, to address long- and short-term needs financially and realistically.
It is important that citizens be given an opportunity to have input through scheduled workshops specifically for that purpose. Also, I believe it is imperative to continue to improve and maintain our infrastructure to avoid a recurrence of the extreme costs that have resulted from too many years of minimal maintenance or improvement.
Beaufort has limited recreational facilities. The existing tennis and basketball courts have been enjoyed by citizens for years and definitely need to be retained. Relocation to town land behind the public works facility near Randolph Johnson Park is a realistic possibility. Location away from prevailing winds will make tennis courts more user-friendly.
As the town grows, the need for recreational facilities increases. Recreational needs have received a low priority in recent years due to critical infrastructure repair and replacement requirements. Improved and expanded recreational facilities should be included in the town’s overall current and future needs assessment and goals and funded accordingly.
The bicycle plan recently endorsed by the planning board (and board of commissioners) is designed so that various components can be funded as money grants are available. Citizens decided which items are of greater priority, and while some of the proposals are quite costly, many are less so and can be managed with relatively low cost.
The plan has considerable citizen interest in part due to the current recognition of the importance of physical activity and health. The bicycle plan is an important element in maintaining a “people-friendly” community.
As a chairperson of the town’s Workforce Housing Committee, I have a great interest in workforce housing. Beaufort, as a “resort” community has far too little housing available for the average working person, teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, etc. These are the people who make up the backbone of the community, give it stability, balance and continuity. We benefit from a healthy mix of citizens.
The town can promote workforce housing through ordinance – requiring developers of subdivisions to include a percentage of housing within a “reasonable price range.” It can also set conditions for specified workforce housing, including resale pricing, etc., where impact fees are reduced or eliminated and other fees and some zoning restrictions are modified. Other communities, including several in North Carolina, have done this successfully and there are many model ordinances available.
Political “will” is essential to success. I can help provide that political will.
Contact: Phone, home and business, 728-5501, cell 241-8750; work, GW Carter Tile Co. Inc. 1103 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort; or home.
Beaufort Commissioner
Charles McDonald
Address: 608 Cedar St./P.O. Box 845, Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: Feb. 14, 1948, in Beaufort.
Family: Married Glenda Godette on Jan. 11, 1970. We have two children, son Charles Jr. and daughter Pheon Roychella McDonald.
Education: Graduated from Queen Street High School, and graduate of Harris Barber College in Raleigh.
Occupation: Retired Beaufort police chief and barber.
Political Experience: Two terms as commissioner of the town of Beaufort.
Civic activities: member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, affiliated with Queen Street Baptist Church and member of Hero Masonic Lodge and the NAACP.
Qualifications: My love for Beaufort and love of the people.
Positions and goals: I will work with our new town manager and board to encourage keeping taxes low, providing the citizens with a high level of service in all areas of Beaufort and be an advocate to control spending in our town government.
Basketball and tennis courts should not be relocated using tax dollars of the citizens of Beaufort, nor should the tennis or basketball courts be relocated on school grounds or on any property that the board has no control of operating and scheduling.
Bicycle paths should be funded with grants, and with the town committing to only 25 percent, this is to include in-kind service by the town. What percentage of citizens will this bicycle path have an impact on?
With the proper planning, affordable workforce housing can be a great project for the town of Beaufort. But we must put first things first, by helping to improve our local economy and stabilizing our work force.
Contact: 728-2968, 838-2316 or cmcdonald001@ec.rr.com.
Beaufort Commissioner
Ed Book
Address: 303 Fairview Drive and P.O. Box 303 Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: Oct. 1, 1938, in New York City. Have lived in Beaufort for 26 years.
Family: Wife, Sue Book; daughter, Kemmerlin Jenkinson; and son, Capt. Ed Book of the Gainesville, Fla., police department.
Education: Wagner Lutheran College, Monmouth University in West End, N.J.
Occupation: Retired but still in business as I have owned the Royal James Cafe for 26 years; also do private editing for manuscripts. From 1974 to 1979, I was editor of the Sun-Journal in New Bern. From 1979 until 1983, I was editor of the upstate Burlington Daily Times-News until I got fired. Then I came to Beaufort and bought the Royal James, which then was simply called Vic's Bar.
Political Experience: None in any elected posts; I did cover, as a reporter, two sessions of the N.C. General Assembly in early 1970s.
Civic activities: Volunteer and membership in the past for Beaufort Historic Site; worked with the Carteret County Arts Council in Beaufort with Mamre Wilson, others.
Qualifications: Why am I running? I decided to because I think I understand what the public wants to know.
I will never vote to go into executive session for any reason. If the majority does, I will tell the public what was discussed. It's all the public's business.
I will do my best to ensure we insist on our legislators keeping us informed of their actions. I want the public to know what those people in Raleigh are voting for.
I will never vote to raise any tax or any fee. Period.
I will follow the national trend and attempt to have a code of ethics adopted by the Beaufort town board. Under such, you may speak about what you know. But you must recuse yourself from voting on any issue whatsoever that involves any person, family member, business contact or "good ole boy" with whom you are connected.
My total campaign contributions so far are $400, from me. My daughter, Kemmerlin Jenkinson, is my treasurer; the campaign manager of "Book on Board" is Tabitha Jenkinson, who will be 12 come Halloween. But she is the only person I know who can set you up with speed dial.
Positions and goals: Goals include establishing improved water access in Beaufort, including seeing what can be done in the west end of Beaufort to make a children's swim area, roped off, at the sandy little beach in front of the Front Street seawall.
Also, find out what public land is currently owned for a tennis court, basketball court and a handball wall for the growing population of Baby Boomers and others. The town should also consider if there is an area skateboarders could use.
We should find out how the beautiful old Beaufort Elementary School, once the Beaufort High School, could be developed for the public. It could have swings and seesaws in the back where there would be ample parking. The structure itself has a fine auditorium. A senior citizens center could go inside, among other possibilities.
A bicycle path should be pursued. The own has an excellent Public Works Department. The south side of Front Street has the room. Ask the civic groups, the hotels and the churches to contribute. No new tax.
My essential political philosophy is what Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said: "The most important political office is that of the private citizen."
Beaufort Commissioner
Ralph Merrill
Address: 312 Craven Ave., Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: Aug. 1, 1956, in Beaufort.
Family: Wife, Wendy Merrill; and mother, Blanche Merrill.
Education: East Carteret High School, graduated 1974; N.C. State University, Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, 1978; Purdue University, Master of Science in electrical engineering, 1981; and East Carolina University, Master of Arts in mathematics, 1995.
Occupation: I am the Electrical Engineering Division supervisor in the Facilities Engineering Department, MCAS, Cherry Point. I’ve worked in this department for over 10 years and in other engineering positions at Cherry Point for 15 more years. In my 25 years at Cherry Point, I’ve been responsible for or participated in establishing many of the facilities and utilities in use there today.
I have been a registered professional engineer in North Carolina since 1991.
Political Experience: None.
Civic activities: Carteret County Board of Health from 1998 to 2007 – I served on the board in its engineering position. During this period the health department relocated from Beaufort to its new facilities in Morehead City and a new Environmental Health supervisor was hired; and Beaufort Board Of Adjustment from 2007 to date and from 2001 to 2004 – I am currently chairman of the board of adjustment.
Qualifications: I am a Beaufort native and lifelong resident and have over 50 years invested in this town and I plan to stay here. I feel a strong commitment to the town and community and I want it to be the best place to live that it can be. I will bring this commitment and my professional, civic and personal experiences to the town board.
My professional experience as an engineer is directly related to most of the town’s infrastructure such as the wastewater, water, transportation and other town facilities. I work with supporting, maintaining, modernizing and expanding similar facilities at Cherry Point on a daily basis. I will bring the benefit of all my experience in this area and apply it as a town commissioner.
As a board of health member, I participated in decisions in the management and guidance of our County Heath Department. This included the preparation of yearly budgets, participation in the hiring of critical staff members, acquisition of new facilities for the health department and dealing with environmental and other public health issues. These are all similar to the requirements of some of the duties of a town commissioner.
As a member and chairman of the town board of adjustment, I am knowledgeable of the town’s zoning ordinances and structure and responsibilities of the various town boards. I have faced the pubic as requests have come to the board of adjustment and felt the responsibility to treat everyone fairly and with respect while fulfilling the board’s responsibility to enforce the town’s ordinances and protect the public’s interests
I’ve known many of Beaufort’s residents my entire life. I will feel an obligation to them and all other residents to make decisions that are in their best interest.
Positions and goals: Goal No. 1 is to make Beaufort a better, more attractive and pleasant place to live. I am acquainted with many working class people moving to our county and Beaufort is at the bottom of the list of where they consider living.
Traffic delays associated with the drawbridge scare them away and then most of the housing options in town are out of their financial reach. They can’t afford the Front Street or downtown areas and other areas in town are not as attractive as other areas in the county. Our water/sewer bills and town taxes make it expensive to live here compared to other county locations.
It is critical that the new bridge be constructed. This has many benefits to town and county residents. Drawbridge opening delays will be eliminated, highway traffic through town will be eliminated resulting in a safer and more pedestrian friendly environment, and room will be defined for future residential and commercial development. This will make the town a more attractive place to live and will be equally important as the new developments already approved by the town attempt to attract new residents.
Tax rates can be controlled by wisely planning for town projects. If our water system has adequate capacity now and is meeting state requirements then water projects should wait until they are needed. Relocating our town hall, if needed, to the old post office building on Front Street doesn’t make sense when there is much less expensive property available elsewhere in town and the old post office is in a very attractive location for commercial development.
Recreation facilities, such as new basketball and tennis courts to replace the ones being removed from the Front Street boat ramp area, should be centrally located so they can be accessed by bicyclists and pedestrians. Freedom Park is a nice facility and has basketball courts, but it is really accessible only by automobile. A visible facility that can be safely accessed by our youth by walking or bicycle is needed.
The secondary roads in Beaufort already provide the basis for safe and extensive bike and running paths. But certain areas such as Freedom Park, the elementary and middle schools, the Food Lion shopping center area and West Beaufort Road are not safely accessible by bicycles or pedestrians. New bike and pedestrian paths should be prioritized to reach these locations and tie into the existing secondary roads. Until the new bridge and bypass are built, we will still be faced with the Highway 70 and Highway 101 traffic obstacles, which divide the town. At some point, the bike and pedestrian paths must cross these highways and there are no pedestrian crosswalks to allow this. Placing crosswalks at the four traffic signals on the three miles of Highway 70 through town will help but doesn’t solve this problem, since one-half mile or more between crosswalks is unreasonable.
Although most can’t make a year-round living on tourism, tourism is still important and we need to maintain it because directly or indirectly it benefits everyone. Every effort should be made by the town to influence the National Park Service to not consolidate the private ferry services to Cape Lookout National Seashore. Not only will this negatively affect downtown Beaufort by drawing away Cape Lookout seashore visitors, it will also affect the Harkers Island and Down East communities.
The interests of residents and tourists alike are met by increasing public water access and maintaining the waterfront vistas of our town. This, along with our historic background, relaxed lifestyle and friendly character, is what made our town “Delightfully Different.”
Contact: Home, 728-2674; work, 466-4725; cell, 723-8628; and e-mail, merrillrc@embarqmail.com.
Beaufort Commissioner
Travis Masters
Address: 103 Pirates Landing Drive.
Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1978, in Wilmington.
Family: Single.
Education: 1996 graduate East Carteret High School; 1999 graduate Carteret Community College Associate Degree; and 2001 graduate North Carolina Wesleyan College with Bachelor of Arts in history.
Occupation: Property appraiser with Pearson Appraisal Services Inc. since 2002.
Political Experience: None.
Civic activities: Earned Eagle Scout rank with Beaufort Boy Scout Troop 201 in 1996; served as volunteer firefighter with Beaufort Fire Department from 1996-1999 and 2008- present; North Carolina Eagle Scout coordinator for the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, 2008-present; member of N.C. Volunteers Camp No. 5 Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and currently serving as camp treasurer.
Qualifications: Due to my experience with my job, I have had to deal with a number of government agencies and am able to address the general public’s concerns. I was raised in Beaufort. My family can trace their roots in Beaufort all the way back to the 1790s. I care about the future of Beaufort.
My goals if elected are to serve the citizens of Beaufort to the best of my abilities. I will be available to answer their questions. I will also listen to their opinions about the issues that affect Beaufort. I will take a pro-active approach in order to meet the future needs of Beaufort. I believe it is the job of a commissioner to be a public servant.
Positions and goals: I believe we should explore all our options on the basketball and tennis courts. We should try to find a location for them that is affordable and convenient for all our citizens to enjoy.
I like the idea of a bicycle path. I believe with the budget cuts that the town board had to make that we need to help find alternative funding for this project. We can help obtain state or federal grant money. We can also encourage private investment and donations.
Beaufort needs affordable housing. I would propose passing a housing ordinance that would require developers to set aside a certain percentage of their development for the construction of quality housing that working people can afford to buy.
We should look at the issues and make sure our actions are in the long-term best interest of Beaufort. Ask, “How is this going to benefit us five, 10 or 20 years from now?” If elected to the town board, I believe I can help better prepare for our future. I know Beaufort is a great place, and I want to help make it even better.
Contact: Phone, 723-2669; or e-mail travis_masters@hotmail.com
BEAUFORT — It’s almost that time again for town residents to make their picks for the town board of commissioners and mayor, and a list of candidates have emerged for the running.
Two seats on the town board of commissioners, as well as the mayoral seat, are up for grabs in the 2009 municipal elections, and voters here have seven candidates to choose from for the three open positions.
Mayor Richard Stanley and Commissioner Charles McDonald are the only incumbents seeking re-election. Commissioner Math Chaplain announced his decision not to run again earlier this year.
Mayor Stanley will face political newcomer Jon Besch on Election Day, while Commissioner McDonald will face Ann Carter, Ed Book, Ralph Merrill and Travis Masters.
Candidates will have a chance to sound off on issues and questions of town residents during a League of Women Voters forum set for 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse.
Election Day is Nov. 3, but voters will be able to cast ballots during the one-stop early voting period from Oct. 15-31. One-stop voting can be done at the County Board of Election’s office in the Beaufort Square shopping center and at the Western Park Community Center at 275 Old Highway 58 in Cedar Point.
The News-Times requested biographical information from each of the candidates. The following is a synopsis of their statements.
Beaufort Mayor
Jon Besch
Address: 420 Pollock St., Beaufort, N.C. 28512.
Date of birth: June 2, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wis.
Family: Brother, Matthew Besch of Beaufort; and parents, Veronica and Charles Besch of Overland Park, Kan.
Education: Lexington Catholic High School, 1995; Carteret Community College, 2009-present.
Occupation: Co-owner of In Your Head Advertising; bartender at Backstreet Pub; and mate for Beaufort Inlet Watersports.
Political Experience: None.
Civic activities: Beaufort Music Festival Committee, 2007-present; member of the Friends of the Museum, 2008-present; member of the Chamber of Commerce, 2008-present; member of the Beaufort Business Association, 2008-present; and softball coach for Backstreet Brewers.
Qualifications: The leadership lessons I learned while in the U.S. Navy have taught me to be an effective and thoughtful leader. With honor, courage and commitment, I will lead Beaufort toward a greener and better future.
Positions and goals: If elected, I will be a more visible, accessible mayor. It is important that the mayor of Beaufort set an example for everyone, in being actively involved in the community and leading by example. I would like to see the town government become more transparent – by that I mean a Web cam in town meetings and weekly Internet-based newsletters.
I believe that the basketball and tennis courts are essential to our community. If they are to be displaced, I think they should be located at a more convenient location. Tearing down community goods for development should not be allowed.
Should the town fund the bicycle plan recently endorsed by the town planning board? Absolutely. Not only will the bicycle plan make Beaufort more attractive, it will also make it greener. I ride my bike to work, and try to ride it on my errands, as well. At times it is dangerous. The bicycle plan will encourage tourist and locals alike to ride their bikes. And that may help with the parking issues, not to mention the earth.
I moved here from Key West, Fla. I know firsthand the trials and tribulations of being a “working person.” Affordable housing is essential to any town. In Key West, providing affordable housing for the workforce was of the most importance. The tourism industry is responsible for 10.2 percent of world gross domestic product. Spending in the United States exceeds $72.3 billion in tourism-based industries. Beaufort needs to accommodate not only the tourist, but also the workforce. Affordable housing could be accomplished by increasing occupancy taxes at local bed and breakfasts and hotels.
Contact: e-mail, jonbesch@yahoo.com; or phone, 732-5887.
Beaufort Mayor
Richard L. Stanley
Address: 207 Turner St., Beaufort, N.C.
Date of birth: Jan. 21, 1946, in Jacksonville, N.C. Moved to Beaufort at age 3.
Family: I am married to Lucia L. Stanley and have adult daughters who reside in North Carolina, an adult stepson residing in Bangor, Maine, and two grandsons. My mother and two brothers are Beaufort natives and my mother will be 92 years old on her birthday Sept. 24.
Education: I am honored to have graduated from Beaufort High School in 1964 and was in one of the last classes before consolidation. I attended undergraduate and law school at Wake Forest University and received a Bachelor of Arts in pre-law in 1968 and a Juris Doctor Degree in 1970.
Occupation: I have been a practicing attorney since 1970 and have over 30 years of experience in municipal law, having served as county attorney and town attorney for Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, Emerald Isle and other governmental agencies.
Political Experience: I presently serve as mayor of Beaufort and I am running for re-election for an additional two-year term. In all probability this will be my last term if I am fortunate to be re-elected.
Qualifications: I am completing my first term as mayor of Beaufort but have served the public for over 30 years as an attorney extensively involved in municipal and governmental law. I served as Beaufort Town Attorney between 1978 and 1974 when urban renewal was being completed, and assisted with the leasing, sale and legal work involved with the placement of the Inlet Inn, town docks and other buildings and facilities developed as part of our beautiful waterfront. Protecting and enhancing our facilities and our natural resources is most important to me.
Civic activities: I have served as president and board member for several terms for the Beaufort Historical Association, several terms including a present term as a director of the Beaufort Historical Foundation, board member and two-term president of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, board member of the former County Tourism Board and presently serve as chair of the County Transportation Committee. I have also been appointed to the League of Municipalities Planning and Legislative Services Committee.
Qualifications: I am a Beaufort native having lived in the town or Beaufort Township most of my life. I have put in many hours as mayor, listening to citizens, studying the issues and bringing facts and issues to the board, town personnel and agencies that need to be addressed. As mayor I have presided over meetings in a fair, orderly and respectful manner and provided leadership and supervision in planning and providing municipal services, facilities and finances, which are crucial needs of local government.
Positions and goals: Beaufort has many continuing issues, such as needed water system improvements, a new fire and police headquarters, overgrown town hall facilities, enhancement of our commercial areas and protection of our business climate and owners, recreational facilities, bike and walking paths, etc.
The board has just appointed a new manager with excellent credentials and background who will lead the town hopefully for many years.
We need to explore ways to acquire or use the downtown post office proposed for closure and continue to protect, enhance and boost our waterfront attractions and local business climate. All of this must be done with fairness to all citizens and based upon our ability to afford the financial costs. The burden this will place on our citizens and property owners who have suffered during the two-year recession must be at the forefront.
Contact: I may be contacted at my office at 728-7200, home at 728-4445, or cell telephone 241-2383. My office e-mail address is Rstanleylaw@earthlink.net and my home e-mail address is Rstanley1@ec.rr.com.
Beaufort Commissioner
Ann H. Carter
Address: 1113 Front St., Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: May 3, 1934, in Olympia, Wash.
Family: Widow of George Carter; four children; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Education: Graduate of DePaul Hospital School of Nursing with honors, registered nurse; Associate of Arts degree from Lenoir Community College with honors; and attended ECU.
Occupation: Owner and manager of GW Carter Tile Co. Inc. in Beaufort.
Political Experience: Previously served on the town board and board of adjustment and previous and current member of the planning board; and also former mayor.
Civic activities: Board member and volunteer with the Broad Street Clinic, member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Beaufort Ole Towne Rotary, BHA, Friends of the N.C. Maritime Museum and N.C. Coastal Federation.
Qualifications: I have extensive and broad experience in town government in both appointed and elected positions and am knowledgeable about the issues and problems facing the town. I also have been actively involved in local civic and environmental organizations and own and operate a local business. As a result I have considerable experience and background on which to draw to provide a solid and rational basis for decision-making.
Positions and goals: Growth is inevitable but must be carefully planned – both short term and long term – to maintain the sense of community so important to Beaufort citizens. I would like to see the town develop an extensive needs assessment and establish a priority system, updated annually, to address long- and short-term needs financially and realistically.
It is important that citizens be given an opportunity to have input through scheduled workshops specifically for that purpose. Also, I believe it is imperative to continue to improve and maintain our infrastructure to avoid a recurrence of the extreme costs that have resulted from too many years of minimal maintenance or improvement.
Beaufort has limited recreational facilities. The existing tennis and basketball courts have been enjoyed by citizens for years and definitely need to be retained. Relocation to town land behind the public works facility near Randolph Johnson Park is a realistic possibility. Location away from prevailing winds will make tennis courts more user-friendly.
As the town grows, the need for recreational facilities increases. Recreational needs have received a low priority in recent years due to critical infrastructure repair and replacement requirements. Improved and expanded recreational facilities should be included in the town’s overall current and future needs assessment and goals and funded accordingly.
The bicycle plan recently endorsed by the planning board (and board of commissioners) is designed so that various components can be funded as money grants are available. Citizens decided which items are of greater priority, and while some of the proposals are quite costly, many are less so and can be managed with relatively low cost.
The plan has considerable citizen interest in part due to the current recognition of the importance of physical activity and health. The bicycle plan is an important element in maintaining a “people-friendly” community.
As a chairperson of the town’s Workforce Housing Committee, I have a great interest in workforce housing. Beaufort, as a “resort” community has far too little housing available for the average working person, teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, etc. These are the people who make up the backbone of the community, give it stability, balance and continuity. We benefit from a healthy mix of citizens.
The town can promote workforce housing through ordinance – requiring developers of subdivisions to include a percentage of housing within a “reasonable price range.” It can also set conditions for specified workforce housing, including resale pricing, etc., where impact fees are reduced or eliminated and other fees and some zoning restrictions are modified. Other communities, including several in North Carolina, have done this successfully and there are many model ordinances available.
Political “will” is essential to success. I can help provide that political will.
Contact: Phone, home and business, 728-5501, cell 241-8750; work, GW Carter Tile Co. Inc. 1103 Lennoxville Road, Beaufort; or home.
Beaufort Commissioner
Charles McDonald
Address: 608 Cedar St./P.O. Box 845, Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: Feb. 14, 1948, in Beaufort.
Family: Married Glenda Godette on Jan. 11, 1970. We have two children, son Charles Jr. and daughter Pheon Roychella McDonald.
Education: Graduated from Queen Street High School, and graduate of Harris Barber College in Raleigh.
Occupation: Retired Beaufort police chief and barber.
Political Experience: Two terms as commissioner of the town of Beaufort.
Civic activities: member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, affiliated with Queen Street Baptist Church and member of Hero Masonic Lodge and the NAACP.
Qualifications: My love for Beaufort and love of the people.
Positions and goals: I will work with our new town manager and board to encourage keeping taxes low, providing the citizens with a high level of service in all areas of Beaufort and be an advocate to control spending in our town government.
Basketball and tennis courts should not be relocated using tax dollars of the citizens of Beaufort, nor should the tennis or basketball courts be relocated on school grounds or on any property that the board has no control of operating and scheduling.
Bicycle paths should be funded with grants, and with the town committing to only 25 percent, this is to include in-kind service by the town. What percentage of citizens will this bicycle path have an impact on?
With the proper planning, affordable workforce housing can be a great project for the town of Beaufort. But we must put first things first, by helping to improve our local economy and stabilizing our work force.
Contact: 728-2968, 838-2316 or cmcdonald001@ec.rr.com.
Beaufort Commissioner
Ed Book
Address: 303 Fairview Drive and P.O. Box 303 Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: Oct. 1, 1938, in New York City. Have lived in Beaufort for 26 years.
Family: Wife, Sue Book; daughter, Kemmerlin Jenkinson; and son, Capt. Ed Book of the Gainesville, Fla., police department.
Education: Wagner Lutheran College, Monmouth University in West End, N.J.
Occupation: Retired but still in business as I have owned the Royal James Cafe for 26 years; also do private editing for manuscripts. From 1974 to 1979, I was editor of the Sun-Journal in New Bern. From 1979 until 1983, I was editor of the upstate Burlington Daily Times-News until I got fired. Then I came to Beaufort and bought the Royal James, which then was simply called Vic's Bar.
Political Experience: None in any elected posts; I did cover, as a reporter, two sessions of the N.C. General Assembly in early 1970s.
Civic activities: Volunteer and membership in the past for Beaufort Historic Site; worked with the Carteret County Arts Council in Beaufort with Mamre Wilson, others.
Qualifications: Why am I running? I decided to because I think I understand what the public wants to know.
I will never vote to go into executive session for any reason. If the majority does, I will tell the public what was discussed. It's all the public's business.
I will do my best to ensure we insist on our legislators keeping us informed of their actions. I want the public to know what those people in Raleigh are voting for.
I will never vote to raise any tax or any fee. Period.
I will follow the national trend and attempt to have a code of ethics adopted by the Beaufort town board. Under such, you may speak about what you know. But you must recuse yourself from voting on any issue whatsoever that involves any person, family member, business contact or "good ole boy" with whom you are connected.
My total campaign contributions so far are $400, from me. My daughter, Kemmerlin Jenkinson, is my treasurer; the campaign manager of "Book on Board" is Tabitha Jenkinson, who will be 12 come Halloween. But she is the only person I know who can set you up with speed dial.
Positions and goals: Goals include establishing improved water access in Beaufort, including seeing what can be done in the west end of Beaufort to make a children's swim area, roped off, at the sandy little beach in front of the Front Street seawall.
Also, find out what public land is currently owned for a tennis court, basketball court and a handball wall for the growing population of Baby Boomers and others. The town should also consider if there is an area skateboarders could use.
We should find out how the beautiful old Beaufort Elementary School, once the Beaufort High School, could be developed for the public. It could have swings and seesaws in the back where there would be ample parking. The structure itself has a fine auditorium. A senior citizens center could go inside, among other possibilities.
A bicycle path should be pursued. The own has an excellent Public Works Department. The south side of Front Street has the room. Ask the civic groups, the hotels and the churches to contribute. No new tax.
My essential political philosophy is what Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said: "The most important political office is that of the private citizen."
Beaufort Commissioner
Ralph Merrill
Address: 312 Craven Ave., Beaufort, N.C. 28516.
Date of birth: Aug. 1, 1956, in Beaufort.
Family: Wife, Wendy Merrill; and mother, Blanche Merrill.
Education: East Carteret High School, graduated 1974; N.C. State University, Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering, 1978; Purdue University, Master of Science in electrical engineering, 1981; and East Carolina University, Master of Arts in mathematics, 1995.
Occupation: I am the Electrical Engineering Division supervisor in the Facilities Engineering Department, MCAS, Cherry Point. I’ve worked in this department for over 10 years and in other engineering positions at Cherry Point for 15 more years. In my 25 years at Cherry Point, I’ve been responsible for or participated in establishing many of the facilities and utilities in use there today.
I have been a registered professional engineer in North Carolina since 1991.
Political Experience: None.
Civic activities: Carteret County Board of Health from 1998 to 2007 – I served on the board in its engineering position. During this period the health department relocated from Beaufort to its new facilities in Morehead City and a new Environmental Health supervisor was hired; and Beaufort Board Of Adjustment from 2007 to date and from 2001 to 2004 – I am currently chairman of the board of adjustment.
Qualifications: I am a Beaufort native and lifelong resident and have over 50 years invested in this town and I plan to stay here. I feel a strong commitment to the town and community and I want it to be the best place to live that it can be. I will bring this commitment and my professional, civic and personal experiences to the town board.
My professional experience as an engineer is directly related to most of the town’s infrastructure such as the wastewater, water, transportation and other town facilities. I work with supporting, maintaining, modernizing and expanding similar facilities at Cherry Point on a daily basis. I will bring the benefit of all my experience in this area and apply it as a town commissioner.
As a board of health member, I participated in decisions in the management and guidance of our County Heath Department. This included the preparation of yearly budgets, participation in the hiring of critical staff members, acquisition of new facilities for the health department and dealing with environmental and other public health issues. These are all similar to the requirements of some of the duties of a town commissioner.
As a member and chairman of the town board of adjustment, I am knowledgeable of the town’s zoning ordinances and structure and responsibilities of the various town boards. I have faced the pubic as requests have come to the board of adjustment and felt the responsibility to treat everyone fairly and with respect while fulfilling the board’s responsibility to enforce the town’s ordinances and protect the public’s interests
I’ve known many of Beaufort’s residents my entire life. I will feel an obligation to them and all other residents to make decisions that are in their best interest.
Positions and goals: Goal No. 1 is to make Beaufort a better, more attractive and pleasant place to live. I am acquainted with many working class people moving to our county and Beaufort is at the bottom of the list of where they consider living.
Traffic delays associated with the drawbridge scare them away and then most of the housing options in town are out of their financial reach. They can’t afford the Front Street or downtown areas and other areas in town are not as attractive as other areas in the county. Our water/sewer bills and town taxes make it expensive to live here compared to other county locations.
It is critical that the new bridge be constructed. This has many benefits to town and county residents. Drawbridge opening delays will be eliminated, highway traffic through town will be eliminated resulting in a safer and more pedestrian friendly environment, and room will be defined for future residential and commercial development. This will make the town a more attractive place to live and will be equally important as the new developments already approved by the town attempt to attract new residents.
Tax rates can be controlled by wisely planning for town projects. If our water system has adequate capacity now and is meeting state requirements then water projects should wait until they are needed. Relocating our town hall, if needed, to the old post office building on Front Street doesn’t make sense when there is much less expensive property available elsewhere in town and the old post office is in a very attractive location for commercial development.
Recreation facilities, such as new basketball and tennis courts to replace the ones being removed from the Front Street boat ramp area, should be centrally located so they can be accessed by bicyclists and pedestrians. Freedom Park is a nice facility and has basketball courts, but it is really accessible only by automobile. A visible facility that can be safely accessed by our youth by walking or bicycle is needed.
The secondary roads in Beaufort already provide the basis for safe and extensive bike and running paths. But certain areas such as Freedom Park, the elementary and middle schools, the Food Lion shopping center area and West Beaufort Road are not safely accessible by bicycles or pedestrians. New bike and pedestrian paths should be prioritized to reach these locations and tie into the existing secondary roads. Until the new bridge and bypass are built, we will still be faced with the Highway 70 and Highway 101 traffic obstacles, which divide the town. At some point, the bike and pedestrian paths must cross these highways and there are no pedestrian crosswalks to allow this. Placing crosswalks at the four traffic signals on the three miles of Highway 70 through town will help but doesn’t solve this problem, since one-half mile or more between crosswalks is unreasonable.
Although most can’t make a year-round living on tourism, tourism is still important and we need to maintain it because directly or indirectly it benefits everyone. Every effort should be made by the town to influence the National Park Service to not consolidate the private ferry services to Cape Lookout National Seashore. Not only will this negatively affect downtown Beaufort by drawing away Cape Lookout seashore visitors, it will also affect the Harkers Island and Down East communities.
The interests of residents and tourists alike are met by increasing public water access and maintaining the waterfront vistas of our town. This, along with our historic background, relaxed lifestyle and friendly character, is what made our town “Delightfully Different.”
Contact: Home, 728-2674; work, 466-4725; cell, 723-8628; and e-mail, merrillrc@embarqmail.com.
Beaufort Commissioner
Travis Masters
Address: 103 Pirates Landing Drive.
Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1978, in Wilmington.
Family: Single.
Education: 1996 graduate East Carteret High School; 1999 graduate Carteret Community College Associate Degree; and 2001 graduate North Carolina Wesleyan College with Bachelor of Arts in history.
Occupation: Property appraiser with Pearson Appraisal Services Inc. since 2002.
Political Experience: None.
Civic activities: Earned Eagle Scout rank with Beaufort Boy Scout Troop 201 in 1996; served as volunteer firefighter with Beaufort Fire Department from 1996-1999 and 2008- present; North Carolina Eagle Scout coordinator for the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, 2008-present; member of N.C. Volunteers Camp No. 5 Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War and currently serving as camp treasurer.
Qualifications: Due to my experience with my job, I have had to deal with a number of government agencies and am able to address the general public’s concerns. I was raised in Beaufort. My family can trace their roots in Beaufort all the way back to the 1790s. I care about the future of Beaufort.
My goals if elected are to serve the citizens of Beaufort to the best of my abilities. I will be available to answer their questions. I will also listen to their opinions about the issues that affect Beaufort. I will take a pro-active approach in order to meet the future needs of Beaufort. I believe it is the job of a commissioner to be a public servant.
Positions and goals: I believe we should explore all our options on the basketball and tennis courts. We should try to find a location for them that is affordable and convenient for all our citizens to enjoy.
I like the idea of a bicycle path. I believe with the budget cuts that the town board had to make that we need to help find alternative funding for this project. We can help obtain state or federal grant money. We can also encourage private investment and donations.
Beaufort needs affordable housing. I would propose passing a housing ordinance that would require developers to set aside a certain percentage of their development for the construction of quality housing that working people can afford to buy.
We should look at the issues and make sure our actions are in the long-term best interest of Beaufort. Ask, “How is this going to benefit us five, 10 or 20 years from now?” If elected to the town board, I believe I can help better prepare for our future. I know Beaufort is a great place, and I want to help make it even better.
Contact: Phone, 723-2669; or e-mail travis_masters@hotmail.com
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| Four candidates seek sanitary district seats |
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AB Voter wrote on Oct 8, 2009 4:30 PM:
" Yes I agree, don't be as apathetic as AB voters. We have 2 more years of the Watery 6. The same old same old has done NOTHING for the past 2 years except enjoy the "social " aspects of being on a city council. We still have a barrens circle, no solutions for stormwater , a grossly overpaid city manager and a smoke and mirrors approach to tax and spend. Harry Archers Freudian slip " Self above Service " tells it like it is. Many folks in local politics have some selfserving interest in mind, not service to the community. "
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Mary Louise Jones wrote on Oct 7, 2009 12:48 PM: