Question 1. New initiatives.

Embrace the challenge and begin a comprehensive plan to reduce the effects of Opioids and other drugs. Recently established Opioid Response Team Committee to look for new programs and funding options to find solutions to eliminate this increasing epidemic in our county.

Use recently created Capital Planning Model as a tool to assist in funding capital and large recurring expenses such as repairs, maintenance and information technology.

 

Question 2. Number 1 challenge facing the county? Is there a solution?

There are many challenges of delivery and necessary services to our residents. However, at this time, I feel the number one challenge is getting clean water to affected areas of Cumberland County. Over a year ago our commissioners became acutely aware of substances in the Cape Fear River and in the drinking water of communities downstream from Chemours Fayetteville works where GenX is produced. Until last year, waste, including GenX, was dumped directly into the river. While that has stopped, we have subsequently learned that tons of GenX has been emitted into the atmosphere every year and contaminated hundreds of private wells around the plant.

Solution.

Continue testing for contamination by DEQ and take appropriate action.

Swift action by regulatory agencies to get safe water to the residents of the Cape Fear River Basin whose water supplies have been contaminated.

Much stronger federal and state oversight of companies that produce and spill toxic chemicals.

Continue discussions/planning with PWC to discuss necessary steps for availability of water to affected areas. Designate PWC as primary water provider.

Continue informational meetings in affected areas for residents.

 

Question 3. Unmaintained roads in county neighborhoods and thoughts for solving problem?

Unmaintained county roads leave residents in limbo. Repairs are costly for residents on roads that are not state-maintained. The problem of such “orphaned roads” spans our state. Often residents along a street can’t or simply won’t take steps required for DOT to adopt the street/ road for road upkeep and bring it under state government’s umbrella. The longer residents wait, the worse it gets. It is sad that the NC State General Assembly considered a state wide plan and possible solution and DOT dropped the plans due to extreme costs. DOT responded that they had only limited dollars.

My thoughts.

Yet another example where the states “rule book” sets out a detailed series of steps before a public street or road can be added to the system. Example: where requirements stymies many neighborhoods and process begins who takes responsibility for street/road once petition approved by DOT? Too much red tape, time for General Assembly to take another look at this issue.

 

Question 4. About myself and why I choose to run for office?

Currently completing my 4^th year as a county commissioner and currently serving as chairman. It basically is all about community. I have spent my lifetime of 76 years in Cumberland County. Most of my adult life as a teacher, principal, school board member, Cumberland County Commissioner has been devoted to making Cumberland County a place where people are happy and proud to live. After 4 years of service more convinced than ever before that counties should play a larger role in state government. Counties continue to be increasingly responsible for new demands for services, and improved delivery. We must continue to seek additional ways to provide necessary levels of service, funding, accountability and sustainability. Much progress has be achieved but we face many new unprecedented challenges. I still believe that strength and legitimacy of county government is most evident when it is closest to our residents.

I believe my history of service to Cumberland County confirms my commitment to the residents of our great county. I welcome the opportunity to serve again and not only focus on our immediate challenges, such as clean water, but to create a future for Cumberland County where the extraordinary is waiting to be released.

Question 5. Would you accept Realtors PAC funds? Do you have open campaign account?

Yes will accept and yes have open campaign account.

 

Larry Leon Lancaster

Current Chairman of Cumberland County Commissioners

2602 Dartmouth Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28304

910-484-2774 home

lll@nc.rr.com

Democrat

At Large County Commissioner

18 years Cumberland County School Board member.

Community Involvement/See questionnaire

Community Endorsements/None at this time

Click below to view the questionnaire ↓

CharlesEvans

 

David Frump for Hoke County Commissioner

Why do you wish to serve in public office?

As a retired Navy Officer, congressional lobbyist, and business man I have had many opportunities to demonstrate leadership in many varying ways. I have always been successful in listening to ideas, building a consensus, making correct and acceptable decisions and executing plans in a manner that best suits the people and the project.

I see the current Hoke County Commissioners as detached from their constituency, unaware of the real needs of the county, unwilling to share the decision-making process with taxpayers (open government), promoting their own self interests over that of the county residents and unable to guide the county in use of latest technologies.

It is clear the majority of area realtors are dissatisfied with Hoke County’s ability to process deed transfers in a timely manner and matters such as orphan roads and abandoned dilapidated buildings which leave a poor picture in the eyes of families and potential businesses.

I want to be a commissioner so that I can help eradicate the deficiencies that hold Hoke County back from realizing its full potential as a progressive county where citizens are proud to live. I can do this.

What are the top three challenges facing your county and how do you propose to address them through your office?

Education is the single most important challenge we have in Hoke County. The poor school system drives families from residing in the county where discipline and unsatisfactory learning render poor performing students for all but the most dedicated and family directed children. The schools are overcrowded and the turnover rate of teachers is beyond imagination. The facilities are aging and little effort is made by county government to improve the situation by long term planning. Their idea is to make the schools bigger. Bigger is usually not better in education. We need to consider smaller schools where hands on education creates students who are more prepared to join the work force. In addition, we need to bring back trade related education. Not all students prefer to be college bound. There is a great need for people who know how to do things. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, HVAC experts are not going out of style. These professions are in dire need of new skilled workers. Often those in these jobs earn far more than those with a four year college degree. Robotics workers and information systems people are in high demand. We need to educate our young to fill specific needs once they have mastered the basics in education.

Meaningful jobs that pay well enough to support a family are essential to the growth and progress of Hoke county. Bringing in industry and big businesses can provide needed jobs that will beget more meaningful businesses and jobs. We should approach providing these jobs with pools of technically educated workers coupled with incentive programs provided by the county, i.e. tax and land incentives. Enhancing an already good program with the community college will help us zero in on programs that provide workers ready to take on the challenges of 21^st century manufacturing. This will go along way in cleaning up drug and crime problems in the community.

Cleaning up the county of unsightly derelict buildings is an important step in progress in Hoke county. The county has no ordinance or no desire to force the clean- up of eyesores throughout the county that paints Hoke as a third world country. Abandoned or burned out buildings litter the county with disincentives for industry or home builders to settle in Hoke. When the county planner is asked to assist in removal, he replies nothing can be done. Something can be done and should be done. What business wants to build next to a burned-out building? What homeowner wants to live near a falling down home which has been abandoned for years? Solutions to the problems are simple but the current commissioners do not even recognize the problem let alone take action.

What are your thoughts on solving the Orphaned Roads problem?

Orphaned Roads are results of poor county government oversight and planning. I have been approached by many home owners who suffer from this problem. They were naive when they bought their home not thinking about road maintenance but noticing the lower cost of the home. Many were first time or low-income buyers and unsuspecting. Government exists to protect these people. The first step in solving the problem is to not allow any more roads like this, say one home or so to a driveway with stipulations in the deed who maintains the drive. Those who sell land, the “backwater developers”, should be stopped and specific permit requirements established to prohibit orphaned roads. It is testimony to the failed policies and poor vision of past commissioners that these roads exist. We must establish standards that protect the potential home owner. To correct past deficiencies, we must petition our state legislators to develop a program by which current orphaned roads can be taken into the state-wide road system with current owners sharing in some way the financial transition requirements. My past lobbying experience will help this effort.

What new Ideas or incentives can you suggest to attract business into the area?

As I mentioned earlier, a sound educational program tailored to the needs of industry is vitally important to attract business. We should identify business talent requirements and cooperate with the community college system to see that these needs are fulfilled.

Also, I will ensure as a commissioner that recruitment for the county development director is advertised broadly to ensure the best person is found to fit the job. In Hoke county that job was not advertised before being recently awarded to the son of a sitting county commissioner.

A county representative at national level job fairs would reveal what jobs are in demand and we can tailor our training to that demand. Tax and land incentives are always popular while recruiting job providing companies. We should not forget that 80% of job growth in counties is a result of expanding existing companies. We need to help those companies expand by listening and acting on their needs.

What steps would you take to improve your county’s property valuation process in the years ahead? Why do you think these steps are necessary?

Accurate property valuations are extremely important to both the home owners and the county. Home owners/buyers deserve fairness, whether they already own their home or are selecting one. County officials rely on accurate valuations to formulate and project budgets. Currently Hoke valuations seem quite arbitrary as evidenced by the number of successful appeals to property tax valuations. While I am not an expert on how to overhaul the system, I am smart enough to call in those who are familiar with the proper way to value property for tax purposes. My suspicion is that the county commissioners’ common practice of hiring by patronage is responsible for poor performance in property valuations.

 

Hoke County will be reevaluating property values in the near term as required by law and I’m sure the county budgeting section will be shocked. Past overvaluations will be evident and county revenues will be hard hit potentially throwing the county into a financial bind.

Clink Link for Questionnaire below ↓

AngScan