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Campaign
2002 is off and running and the Watauga County Democratic Party is
wasting no time hanging around the starting gate.
In a press conference timed to coincide with the start of the filing period, Democratic candidates for local and statewide office addressed a gathering of party faithful, family and media and presented their plans and promises for a vision of tomorrow’s Watauga County.
Behind a podium holding a banner reading “Promising Tomorrow. Delivering Today,” each candidate addressed a clearly optimistic and appreciative audience. Jerry Williamson, secretary of the county party, introduced the hopefuls. Dave Robertson, candidate for county commission spoke first, followed by incumbent commissioners Pat Wilkie and Sue Sweeting.
“The complex challenges we face call for a unified county and aggressive leadership to develop innovative, common sense solutions that will provide affordable housing, better jobs, continue and enhance our proud tradition of quality public education, improve our recreation facilities and parks throughout the county, and support our teachers, coaches, firefighters, rescue squad personnel and other public servants with better local salary supplements, equipment and facilities,” Robertson said.
Sweeting used her time to highlight accomplishments and programs she has been involved with during her time in office. She cited the yearly audit on private ambulance service; the initiation of community board meetings and the initiation of a series of commission retreats for future planning.
“I will continue to work for all the citizens of Watauga County to protect them from hazards that may affect their health or welfare. I am currently working to defend ourselves from the dangers of polluting industries,” Sweeting said, referring to her work on the Interim Zoning Ordinance Study Committee.
Wilkie said, “That’s what I remember every time I sit down at a Board of Commissioners’ meeting: that I am there to do right by the ordinary people of Watauga County. The working families that pack school lunches and shuffle kids from soccer practice to music lessons; the Christmas tree grower who has to wait several years for a return on his investment; the business person trying to get a new idea off the ground; the retired person needing county transportation and enjoying the socializing at the senior center.
“Two years ago, I ran for this office acknowledging that we can’t count on Raleigh or Washington to take care of us. We have to take care of ourselves.”
All three county commission candidates expressed support for the work of the zoning study committee and looked forward to a zoning plan for the county. The three candidates for county commission, running for three seats, took the podium as a group. The two democratic candidates for Watauga County sheriff, in recognition of the primary contest that will eliminate one of them, spoke separately.
Hal Isaacs spoke briefly of his commitment to God, his family, his friends and the citizens of the county. He mentioned 10 years of law enforcement experience and the qualities that he hopes to bring to the office, “honesty, integrity and values.” Jerry Vaughn said that he hopes “to provide effective leadership for all citizens of Watauga County” in the office of sheriff.
Even with the current budget crisis Vaughn said, “I don’t want to cut services. We will tighten our belts.”
Vaughn pointed to his work as both a police officer and 17 years as a private investigator and said that working for criminal defense counsel had given him a unique insight into both sides of the criminal justice system.
Glenn Hodges, incumbent Watauga County clerk of court, is seeking his fourth term in office. He said that case filings in the county had gone from 8,000 to 15,000 during his term and his office had added only two employees. “I hope to continue the same level of efficiency and integrity,” he said.
Dan Hense, an Appalachian State University maintenance mechanic, announced his candidacy for the N.C. State House from district 94 representing Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties.
“I still believe that the issues are not Democratic or Republican issues,” Hense said. “They are issues that need attention. Republicans and Democrats both drive on the roads, their children attend the schools.
‘They sometimes fish and swim in our waterways. They drink the water, breathe the same air. ‘These are the same issues we hear about every election. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally take care of these issues and move on to other issues?
‘We need a representative in Raleigh who will target these issues so they are not reoccurring year after year.” Within the first 24 hours that the Watauga County Board of Elections was open to accept filing for the 2002 elections race a number of candidates submitted their packets and put their names on the line. Filing began at noon on Monday and is currently scheduled to end at noon on March 1.
According to Jane Hodges, Watauga County elections board supervisor, the early birds were: (Incumbents running for re-election are indicated by (I).) • N.C. State House, District 94 (Watauga, Alleghany and Ashe counties): Democrat Dan Hense and Republican (I) Gene Wilson. • Watauga County Board of Education: (I) Lowell K. Younce • Watauga County Board of Commissioners: District 1: Democrat Dave Robertson and Republicans Keith Honeycutt and (I) Jack D. Lawrence District 4: Democrat (I) Sue Sweeting and Republicans David Blust and Robert (Bob) H. Ward District 5: Democrat (I) Patricia T. Wilkie and Republican Lester Allen Trivette • Watauga County sheriff: Democrats Hal Isaacs and Jerry W. Vaughn and Republicans Ray Halle, Jim Smith and Mark William Shook • Watauga County Clerk of Court: Democrat (I) D. Glenn Hodges
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