Candidates running for three county offices in the upcoming November election faced off during an Oct. 7 forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Lower Cape Fear and WECT, answering questions about future county growth and safety in schools and communities.
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners race
Strategies to accommodate growth were among topics discussed by the four county commissioner candidates.
Democrat Rob Zapple mentioned predictions of 50,000 new county residents expected in the next 10 years as motivation to focus on smart growth. He asked, “Where are those people going to live, work, play? Where are those people going to go to school?”
Republican Skip Watkins called the race one of the most important in decades as a key time to bring a balanced economy to the county. Democrat Patricia Spear questioned whether the American dream was still attainable.
Republican Dr. Derrick Hickey promised to focus on developing county assets, like beach infrastructure and public education, to foster prosperity for future generations.
All candidates cautiously supported use of incentives to lure businesses to the area, but only with stipulations to ensure the investment provided a return to the local economy.
Zapple called incentives an important tool in the county toolbox to create a vibrant economy. Spear said she supports incentives because businesses will ultimately contribute to the county tax base, create jobs, and generate money to be infused back into the local economy. Watkins suggested businesses meet benchmarks each year to ensure the incentives are good investments.
Hickey said he would prefer to eventually see corporate tax reform to eliminate the need for incentives.
Candidates also weighed in on two bond referendums slated for the Nov. 4 ballot: a $160 million bond to fund security, technology and building infrastructure improvements for all county schools and a $44 million transportation bond
All candidates pledged support for the school bond, adding it would cost the county more money in the long run to pay for needed improvements if deferred.
Spear and Zapple both voiced support for the transportation bond. Watkins and Hickey declined to say whether they support the transportation bond, but both cited pressing problems with traffic congestion as priorities.
The four candidates are battling for two open seats on the board.
New Hanover County Board of Education race
Six of the seven candidates vying for four open seats on the school board discussed positions on school safety and school choice, among other issues.
All candidates hesitated to confidently assert that acts of school violence could not occur in New Hanover County, but most agreed the school system is working within its limits to make schools safe. Democrat Chris Meek suggested causes of student stress be evaluated to prevent acts of violence. Democrat Tom Gale said he would like to see smaller classes and more involved counselors to prevent issues.
Republican candidate and current school board chairman Don Hayes noted the proposed school bond would improve safety and security at all county schools.
When questioned about the impact of charter schools on the local community, Meek and Gale both supported charter schools in theory as labs for testing new educational practices but questioned their actual success, especially at local charter schools generating profit from taxpayer dollars.
Hayes and Republican board member and candidate Janice Cavenaugh both championed school choice, citing board support for the unsuccessful 2011 effort to reopen D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy as a charter school.
Republican Bruce Shell supported charter schools as an alternate solution for some children, but said he understood concerns about money funneled away from public schools and into charter schools.
Democrat Emma Saunders cited different rules and requirements as the root of her opposition to charter schools.
Republican candidate and current board member Ed Higgins was unable to attend.
New Hanover County Sheriff race
Democratic incumbent Ed McMahon touted his experience in office since 2009, citing his ability to turn challenges into opportunities. His opponent, Republican Jason Vaughn, suggested the time is ripe for new leadership.
“We know what’s in place right now is not working. You see it on the front headlines of our news every day,” Vaughn said.
McMahon reported a decrease in crime during his tenure of 16.9 percent in the unincorporated areas, where he is constitutionally required to provide law enforcement, and also within city limits through cooperation with the Wilmington Police Department.
Vaughn called for cooperation between school resource officers, the gang task force and police departments in county beach towns to tackle gang violence. He said school resource officers understand some dynamics of local gangs from time in schools.
McMahon also pointed to schools as a venue to prevent gang activity through diversion programs and the presence of school resource officers. While the sheriff’s office does partner with city, state and federal organizations to handle existing problems, McMahon stressed the importance of prevention efforts.
“We can’t arrest this problem away,” he said.
Election Day is Nov. 4. Oct. 10 is the last day to register to vote.
email [email protected]
