Meet the candidates for Pender County Board of Commissioners, District 1

For the Pender County Board of Commissioners District 1 race, incumbent Brad George will face challenger Jim Harris.

In-person early voting begins Thursday, October 17 and ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 2. Postal ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29 and those ballots must be returned to the voter’s local council. from the elections office before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5.

Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Brad Georges

• Age: 56

• Occupation: Maintenance Coordinator

• Family: Married for 34 years; father of two sons and a daughter; a grandchild

• Education: Graduated from Topsail High School; US Navy A School; Cape Fear Community College, Machining Technology, Air Conditioning and Heating and Refrigeration Technology

• Political affiliation: Republican

Jim Harris

• Age: 71

• Occupation: Retired

• Family: Married; three adult children; six grandchildren

• Education: Master, Marketing and Economics

• Political affiliation: Democrat

What are the three biggest infrastructure needs in Pender County?

George: 1) East Pender’s road and highway system is severely undersized and lags several years behind the explosive growth between counties, and commuter traffic is heading north and south. 2) Utilities – Water and sewer services are lacking in many areas of Pender County. The absence of these services has limited growth in these areas and pushed higher density growth into already heavily populated areas. 3) Schools: Like public services, public schools are under pressure from explosive growth and, like public services, funding and resources must be directed to areas experiencing excessive growth.

Harris: Transportation, schools, parks and recreation

What should Pender County do to promote economic development?

George: Pender County has a great relationship with Wilmington Business Development. They have been instrumental in bringing industry to Pender County and will continue to do so as we explore the next location for an industrial park. As WBD works to recruit larger industries, I would also like to see Pender County develop an economic development department. I see this department working on recruiting and guiding small business owners in achieving their dreams, showcasing all that Pender has to offer. offers, helping them with the process from the start of the dream to the cutting of the ribbon.

Harris: Establish new commercial and retail parks in designated areas of the county, such as the one that exists in Penderlea, as well as commercial “zones” elsewhere, with a focus on transport needs. Provide tax incentives to existing and new small businesses, but make sure large corporations pay their fair share. By proactively investing in each of the infrastructure elements (#1 above), Pender can sustainably attract and support the growth of new businesses by developing a robust transportation network, expanding our highly educated workforce and creating attractive outdoor living spaces demanded by today’s families. and businesses.

How can the county manage growth?

George: Pender County is currently in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan, updating it along with the outdated Unified Development Ordinance will help chart the future of growth in Pender. Unfortunately for East Pender, these changes will come too late for most areas, but perhaps updating the ordinance and plan will help Central and West Pender avoid the destruction that has took place in East Pender.

Harris: In a word, proactively. Growth will not slow in the foreseeable future; we must anticipate its public impacts and optimize its opportunities. A smart growth approach will help reduce arbitrary commercial and residential land use designation, congestion and visual blight while improving public recreation facilities. The Council, with public input, should explore opportunities for decommissioning in sensitive coastal areas, proactively mitigate natural disasters to maximize worker productivity, hold new developments accountable, and advocate for more flexible solutions at the state level, if necessary, to correct the imbalance between the public and the public. private interests.

What is the biggest issue Pender County residents are currently facing?

George: Tax burden. Pender is ranked 76th out of 100 counties with a high tax rate, we need to continue to recruit business and industrial people to the county. Less than 10% of the county’s tax base is commercial or industrial, increasing this base reduces the burden on the residential taxpayer, but it also brings more opportunities such as shopping, dining and tourism, which in turn generate sales tax revenue.

Harris: The Commission arguably acted as if housing development at any time, anywhere and at any cost was sound policy and practice. Clear-cutting over large areas should be prohibited. Property taxes are rising sharply as developers strive to build ever larger and more expensive housing at maximum density, negatively impacting our fragile ecosystem, all while maximizing their profits. Affordable housing is virtually non-existent, impacting our police officers, teachers, small business owners, new homeowners, and seniors. Homeowners on a fixed income will ultimately be unable to pay their annual property taxes. We need to find a balance between “who benefits and who pays”.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

George: Lifetime Pender Resident: This gives me the story of how we got here, which will help reverse the current uncontrolled trend. Served 10.5 years as an elected official on the Pender County School Board: Gave me insight into the needs of Pender County. This allowed me to see from the county to the coast and understand the different challenges each region faces. Dedicated Public Servant: Whether serving in the Navy or leading a youth softball organization, or from Boy Scout leader to commissioner, my dedication is to the citizens of this great country, this state and this county.

Harris: I have spent my 40-year career listening, learning and meeting the business needs of large and multi-enterprise healthcare companies with practical information technology and professional services solutions. As an executive, I developed skills among my subordinates that produced significant economic and strategic results. I’m smart enough to know how much I still have to learn, but I’ve mastered the art and science of effective planning and then establishing metrics to monitor and measure operational success every day. I worked closely with other leaders to define strategic initiatives, capital budget priorities, human resource needs, and collaborative, two-way, evidence-based problem solving.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Candidates for Pender County Board of Commissioners, District 1