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By Ena Sellers, Duplin Journal
The Primary election is March 5.
Candidates for Duplin County Commissioner were invited to participate in the Duplin Journal’s Q&A. Below are the candidates responses received as of press time.
Incumbent Elwood Garner (Rep) is being challenged by Cindy Sallis (Rep) in the County Commissioner District 01 race. Incumbent Wayne Branch (Dem) is running uncontested in the general election to keep the County Commissioner District 05 seat. Incumbent Jesse Dowe (Dem) is being challenged by Mary L. Williams-Boykin (Dem) in the County Commissioner District 04 race.
During the primary voters will choose which candidates should be their party of preference nominee, the winners will be on the general election ballot in November along with the candidates who are running unopposed. To become a party nominee, the candidate should get at least 30% of the votes, plus one.
If you have not registered to vote, the deadline to register is Feb. 9 by 5 p.m.
Q&A with Incumbent Elwood Garner
Why have you decided to run for re-election?
As a lifelong resident of Duplin County, a current business owner in the county and a former county employee, county government has always been and will remain an area near and dear to my heart. I also value the tax paying citizens of the county and I have and will continue to make the best decisions with them in mind.
What are the two biggest challenges facing the Duplin County Board of Commissioners? How would you approach those challenges?
The two biggest challenges to the Duplin County Board of Commissioners are:
a. Continuing to provide the current level of county services in the most efficient and effective ways possible.
b. Maintaining a level of taxation that tax paying citizens can afford.
The Board of Commissioners must work with the county administrative team to promote employee efficiency and operating cost saving measures to keep expenses as low as possible.
What do you see as the most pressing need for Capital projects in the county?
Recently, the board of commissioners have funded and approved the following capital projects:
Animal Care and Control Facility at a cost of $3.9 million
Public Transportation Facility at a cost of $4.2 million
Senior and Veteran Services Facility at a cost of $5 million
As most citizens have heard, the county is in the process of building a new detention center for the Duplin Sheriff’s Office. This facility could potentially be under contract during the month of February 2024.
All of the above projects have been funded to date with no tax increase.
Employee retention and recruiting have been a challenge in Duplin County, what solutions would you recommend if elected?
In 2021, the Board of Commissioners were informed by the former county manager and his management team there was a need to perform a county wide pay study for employees.
The Board of Commissioners voted to fund the pay study. The completed study was presented with three different options to address the employee compensation issues.
The commissioners voted to fully fund the proposed pay study effective July 1, 2022, at a cost of approximately $5 million in additional compensation across all county government.
However, this has not fixed the retention and recruitment issues across county government, as the commissioners were lead to believe. Commissioners are working with the current management team to view different options available to the commissioners.
How long have you lived in Duplin? Where is your hometown?
47 years. Kenansville.
Q&A with Cindy Sallis
Why have you decided to run for County Commissioner?
As a constitutional Republic, our elected officials are to selflessly serve the needs of their community as a whole and not special interests. Building and strengthening our county for all our families and the future of our children and grandchildren is my priority, increasing opportunities for our young adults and supporting our farm families so they can thrive.
What are the two biggest challenges facing the Duplin County Board of Commissioners? How would you approach those challenges?
The biggest challenge is possibly that the capacity of our county jail is far too small. Hopefully the county finds a way to move ahead with a 236 bed facility somehow. That said, interest rates are sky high so unfortunately since some of the cost likely may need to be financed, it would likely be most prudent to wait until those rates lower. Fortunately, many financial experts have predicted interest rates should start falling to some degree as soon as this summer. Interest rates and fluctuating building costs are essential considerations regarding timing.
The second biggest challenge is creating opportunities in Duplin for our young adults while preserving and protecting our character as an agricultural community so our farm families can thrive. As farmers cope with new regulations, a new marketing landscape, and so many expenses, I would love to see opportunities developed to enable and train young adults to support them even in less traditional ways. This can include as grant writers, handling their social media presence, and even flying drones. I would love to see James Sprunt offer specialized training for these things. Our county has vacant and available spaces, so brainstorming ways to bring in business that complements the character of our community, including adaptive reuse for older buildings, is important. So many community leaders came together and helped with the vision and bringing in the funding for the Duplin County Airpark. This should ultimately attract business and serve many Duplin farm families well.
What do you see as the most pressing need for Capital projects in the county?
One bridge needs to be replaced and one repaired on the US 117 and work should begin this year. Our county jail is inadequately small. The Department of Health is also outgrowing their space. Chinquapin Elementary School does not yet have an auxiliary gym and this is essential for the children. We are blessed that so many came together with a vision and have found the funding for several industrial parks that will surely bring more opportunities/employment to our community. The Duplin County AirPark will certainly be a game changer logistically for our local farmers.
Employee retention and recruiting have been a challenge in Duplin County, what solutions would you recommend if elected?
Our county employees are facing rising costs just like the rest of us yet they do not have cost of living increases. Incentives need to be looked at hard. The true value of the full county employee package needs to be well explained and understood. It is excellent that county employees have health care available in the way they do and also retirement pensions. These are benefits that are becoming scarce with other employers. Work environment, leadership development, and promotion opportunities or lack thereof can also play into retention.
How long have you lived in Duplin? Where is your hometown?
With a Master’s degree in Education, Mental Health Counseling, working as a controller, administrator, accountant, curriculum and grant writer, and paralegal work are all in my background. Additionally, serving the homeless, founding a non-profit focused on stopping intergenerational incarceration, preparing adults for the GED when English is their second language, bringing disaster relief to Southeastern North Carolina after major hurricanes, acting as parliamentarian, supporting Republican candidates and elected officials with shared conservative values mainly as a writer and researcher, and leadership positions within the Republican party are ways I have volunteered. My career interests, passion for service, and being a military spouse have brought me to places I once only dreamed of.
However, after my travels, that permanent sweet sense of home finally came with my move to Southeastern North Carolina about fifteen years ago. Everything that has led me here to Duplin County brings me gratitude because there is no place quite as special as our little homestead in Pleasant Grove.
Q&A with Incumbent Wayne Branch
Why have you decided to run for re-election?
After much prayer and meditation and after consulting with constituents in my district as well as other Duplin County citizens, I have decided to run for re-election to the Duplin County Board of County Commissioners. I ran for office to help make a difference in the lives of everyone living in Duplin County. I genuinely care about people and believe that citizens need someone who is committed to speaking intelligently about issues and willing to work diligently and collaboratively with others to find answers to resolve issues. I believe I have been effective in serving the people in my district as well as others throughout Duplin County. I have grown in the areas of courage, desire, knowledge and understanding. I believe these characteristics will aid me to be a more effective commissioner in a second term. I will remain committed to doing what is right for everyone, without reservation, every day.
What are the two biggest challenges facing the Duplin County Board of Commissioners? How would you approach those challenges?
Two concerning challenges facing the Duplin County Board of Commissioners is Recruitment and Retention of County Employees & Water and Sewer Capacity for County.
Regarding Recruitment and Retention, we need to consider having conversations with department leadership to solicit input from them as to what they consider to be barriers or obstacles to retention and recruitment and what can be done to eliminate the obstacles. Surveys and/or employee panel groups can be utilized to achieve results.
Regarding Water and Sewer, we need to start talks to determine what the actual and tangible needs are so a determination can be made regarding associated costs to provide the service. Subsequently, with input from the citizens, we can define and settle on how to meet the costs and provide the necessary services.
What do you see as the most pressing need for Capital projects in the county?
I must first say thanks to Senator Brent Jackson and Representative Jimmy Dixon for the support allocated to Duplin County in the 2023/2024 state budget for capital needs. As a result of their support, Duplin County received substantial funding to help us proceed with fulfilling capital needs in the county. One of those needs is a new detention center. Duplin County has needed a detention center for many years, and we are now closer to being able to meet that capital need.
How long have you lived in Duplin? Where is your hometown?
My name is Wayne E. Branch and I have lived in Duplin County for 25+ years. I am originally from Franklin County, North Carolina.
