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Online partner of the
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November 3, 2004
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Ashe
Ashe County Links
Official County Website
• Ashe County Government website
N.C. House - District 93
• Ex-TV
exec is vying with 13-year veteran
Oct 26, 2004
Rep. Gene Wilson has represented the northwestern corner of North Carolina for years, but a relative newcomer
to the area says that Wilson hasn't used his time in the N.C. House of Representatives to the High Country's
advantage.
Candidate Profiles
Three seats open in Ashe commissioners race
Compiled by Monte Mitchell
Three of five seats on the Ashe County Board of Commissioners are being contested.
Democrat candidates are Gary Barber Jr., Jerry McMillan and John Marsh. Republican candidates are Judy
Porter Poe, incumbent chairman Larry Rhodes and Gerald Price.
The top two vote-getters will receive four-year terms. The third place person will receive a two-year term.
Incumbent Jack Krider is running unopposed for Ashe soil and water conservation district supervisor. The
race is nonpartisan.
Gary
T. Barber Jr. (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Ashe County commissioner
Party: Democrat
Home address: 286 Temple Baptist Church Rd., West Jefferson, NC 28694
Date of birth: Jan. 29, 1971
Education: Gupton Jones College, 1993
Occupation: Served the past 12 years as a funeral director in West Jefferson
Family: Did not provide
Political experience: Served as Ashe County Democratic Party chairman in the 1990s, have been active in local politics in Ashe County since 1992
What makes you best qualified: I have worked in management and been involved in the business community for more than 12 years. Being involved in management, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and investing for the future. Being a native of Ashe County, I understand the political climate, the people and the issues that effect our community.
Top priority if elected: I will make sure our commission board stays focused on economic development, and providing the necessary infrastructure needs to retain and generate new jobs. I will support local emergency and law-enforcement officials. I will ensure that we have the best educational opportunities for our children.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 286 Temple Baptist Church Rd., West Jefferson, NC 28694
Date of birth: Jan. 29, 1971
Education: Gupton Jones College, 1993
Occupation: Served the past 12 years as a funeral director in West Jefferson
Family: Did not provide
Political experience: Served as Ashe County Democratic Party chairman in the 1990s, have been active in local politics in Ashe County since 1992
What makes you best qualified: I have worked in management and been involved in the business community for more than 12 years. Being involved in management, I understand the importance of fiscal responsibility and investing for the future. Being a native of Ashe County, I understand the political climate, the people and the issues that effect our community.
Top priority if elected: I will make sure our commission board stays focused on economic development, and providing the necessary infrastructure needs to retain and generate new jobs. I will support local emergency and law-enforcement officials. I will ensure that we have the best educational opportunities for our children.
John
W. Marsh (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Ashe County commissioner
Party: Democrat
Home address: 277 Friendship Baptist Church Road, Jefferson
Date of birth: Sept. 18, 1939
Education: Jefferson High School; B.S. and M.A, Appalachian State University
Occupation: Retired biology teacher
Family: Married with one son
Political experience: Two-term former Ashe County commissioner, former chairman
What makes you best qualified: I feel that I am best qualified to be an Ashe County commissioner because of my knowledge and experience in county government, education and economic development. It has been my pleasure in the past to have been a part of the building of the county infrastructure, schools and industrial base.
Top priority if elected: Some of the priorities for Ashe County’s future are to continue and expand the economic development plans of the CEDS study, Angelou Economic Report and the Ashe County Economic Development Commission.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 277 Friendship Baptist Church Road, Jefferson
Date of birth: Sept. 18, 1939
Education: Jefferson High School; B.S. and M.A, Appalachian State University
Occupation: Retired biology teacher
Family: Married with one son
Political experience: Two-term former Ashe County commissioner, former chairman
What makes you best qualified: I feel that I am best qualified to be an Ashe County commissioner because of my knowledge and experience in county government, education and economic development. It has been my pleasure in the past to have been a part of the building of the county infrastructure, schools and industrial base.
Top priority if elected: Some of the priorities for Ashe County’s future are to continue and expand the economic development plans of the CEDS study, Angelou Economic Report and the Ashe County Economic Development Commission.
Jerry
C. McMillan (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Ashe County Commissioner
Party: Democrat
Home address: 302 Wilton Avenue, West Jefferson, NC
Date of birth: Sept. 29, 1946
Education: UNC Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University
Occupation: Retired air traffic controller
Family: Divorced with one daughter
Political experience: Chief precinct judge, West Jefferson
What makes you best qualified: I’m a year-round resident. I’m a native of Ashe County. I have nothing but the improvement of Ashe County in mind. Their concerns are my concerns. I have the benefit of Ashe County as my agenda.
Top priority if elected: I want to preserve Ashe County as it was, but also build for the future.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 302 Wilton Avenue, West Jefferson, NC
Date of birth: Sept. 29, 1946
Education: UNC Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University
Occupation: Retired air traffic controller
Family: Divorced with one daughter
Political experience: Chief precinct judge, West Jefferson
What makes you best qualified: I’m a year-round resident. I’m a native of Ashe County. I have nothing but the improvement of Ashe County in mind. Their concerns are my concerns. I have the benefit of Ashe County as my agenda.
Top priority if elected: I want to preserve Ashe County as it was, but also build for the future.
Judy
Porter Poe (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Ashe County commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 277 Mulatto Mountain Road, West Jefferson
Date of birth: Did not provide. She is 56
Education: Appalachian State University
Occupation: Owner of a tax service
Family: Married with two sons and three grandchildren
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have 34 years experience in accounting, auditing, budget and income-tax preparations. I feel my strong accounting background and strong work ethic will be a benefit to the county. As a native of Ashe County, I know the people and understand their concerns.
Top priority if elected: I support more classrooms for county schools, and I will attract industry that will offer good paying jobs with health and retirement benefits. I support more law-enforcement officers to patrol and fight the increasing number of meth labs. I will support better roads and enforcement of the junkyard ordinance.
Party: Republican
Home address: 277 Mulatto Mountain Road, West Jefferson
Date of birth: Did not provide. She is 56
Education: Appalachian State University
Occupation: Owner of a tax service
Family: Married with two sons and three grandchildren
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have 34 years experience in accounting, auditing, budget and income-tax preparations. I feel my strong accounting background and strong work ethic will be a benefit to the county. As a native of Ashe County, I know the people and understand their concerns.
Top priority if elected: I support more classrooms for county schools, and I will attract industry that will offer good paying jobs with health and retirement benefits. I support more law-enforcement officers to patrol and fight the increasing number of meth labs. I will support better roads and enforcement of the junkyard ordinance.
William
Gerald Price (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Ashe County commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: Did not provide
Date of birth: Aug. 5, 1952
Education: UNC Wilmington
Occupation: Insurance agent; Superior Court mediator
Family: Three children
Political experience: Former commissioner for the town of Warsaw
What makes you best qualified: As a former town commissioner, I have experience working with the N.C. Department of Transportation regarding issues for rest areas built between Interstate 40 East and West. I worked creating new jobs by way of satellite annexation. I was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, and am active in church, school and community events.
Top priority if elected: My top priority will be to represent the citizens of Ashe County in a fair, honest and accountable manner. I will work to create new jobs and promote tourism and the agricultural industry. I want to prevent future tax increases.
Party: Republican
Home address: Did not provide
Date of birth: Aug. 5, 1952
Education: UNC Wilmington
Occupation: Insurance agent; Superior Court mediator
Family: Three children
Political experience: Former commissioner for the town of Warsaw
What makes you best qualified: As a former town commissioner, I have experience working with the N.C. Department of Transportation regarding issues for rest areas built between Interstate 40 East and West. I worked creating new jobs by way of satellite annexation. I was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years, and am active in church, school and community events.
Top priority if elected: My top priority will be to represent the citizens of Ashe County in a fair, honest and accountable manner. I will work to create new jobs and promote tourism and the agricultural industry. I want to prevent future tax increases.
Larry
D. Rhodes (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Ashe County commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 250 C Oakwood Road, West Jefferson
Date of birth: Dec. 22, 1942
Education: B.S., Mars Hill College
Occupation: Retired from Sara Lee Corp. after 35 years; former plant manager
Family: Married
Political experience: Ashe County Commissioner since 1998
What makes you best qualified: During my service, there were no property-tax increases. The county provided yearly wage increases and benefits to all county personnel with no layoffs; debt-free new courthouse and farm building; completed school building projects; increased parks and recreation; established an industrial park; increased pay/equipment to law enforcement; and increased the county’s fund balance.
Top priority if elected: I will serve all of Ashe County and continue educational emphasis. I will increase support for equipment, law enforcement and protect economic growth — jobs/population. I will protect our valuable land for farming (trees, agriculture and cattle). I will promote better and safer roads and protect environmental concerns.
Party: Republican
Home address: 250 C Oakwood Road, West Jefferson
Date of birth: Dec. 22, 1942
Education: B.S., Mars Hill College
Occupation: Retired from Sara Lee Corp. after 35 years; former plant manager
Family: Married
Political experience: Ashe County Commissioner since 1998
What makes you best qualified: During my service, there were no property-tax increases. The county provided yearly wage increases and benefits to all county personnel with no layoffs; debt-free new courthouse and farm building; completed school building projects; increased parks and recreation; established an industrial park; increased pay/equipment to law enforcement; and increased the county’s fund balance.
Top priority if elected: I will serve all of Ashe County and continue educational emphasis. I will increase support for equipment, law enforcement and protect economic growth — jobs/population. I will protect our valuable land for farming (trees, agriculture and cattle). I will promote better and safer roads and protect environmental concerns.
Three candidates up for District 93 seat
Compiled by Laura Giovanelli
Incumbent Gene Wilson, a Republican from Boone who has represented Western North Carolina for the past
14 years, will be challenged by Democrat Cullie Tarleton and Libertarian Brandon Derr for N.C. House,
District 93.
The district covers Watauga and Ashe counties. A retiree from Charlotte, Tarleton has never run for public
office but says that Wilson hasn’t been a loud enough voice for Western North Carolina. Wilson says that
voters should count on his experience.
Derr did not respond to the Winston-Salem Journal’s request for information. The district covers Watauga
and Ashe counties.
Cullie
Tarleton (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 93
Party: Democrat
Home address: P O Box 1269, 1786 Main St., Blowing Rock
Date of birth: Jan. 15, 1939
Education: Marshville High School; Young Executive’s Institute, University of North Carolina Business School
Occupation: Retired broadcasting executive
Family: Married, with three children and six grandchildren.
What makes you best qualified: I will be a strong, active and engaging voice in Raleigh for our district. Our district doesn’t currently get a fair hearing in Raleigh. I’m not a politician, but a retired businessman and a fiscal conservative. I will fight for and stand with you, not the special interest in Raleigh.
Top priority if elected: My top priority will be jobs and economic development. I will work closely with the governor and his economic team to bring new well-paying jobs to our district. I will also work to improve funding for Appalachian State University, schools, teachers, retired state employees and affordable health care for our citizens.
Party: Democrat
Home address: P O Box 1269, 1786 Main St., Blowing Rock
Date of birth: Jan. 15, 1939
Education: Marshville High School; Young Executive’s Institute, University of North Carolina Business School
Occupation: Retired broadcasting executive
Family: Married, with three children and six grandchildren.
What makes you best qualified: I will be a strong, active and engaging voice in Raleigh for our district. Our district doesn’t currently get a fair hearing in Raleigh. I’m not a politician, but a retired businessman and a fiscal conservative. I will fight for and stand with you, not the special interest in Raleigh.
Top priority if elected: My top priority will be jobs and economic development. I will work closely with the governor and his economic team to bring new well-paying jobs to our district. I will also work to improve funding for Appalachian State University, schools, teachers, retired state employees and affordable health care for our citizens.
Gene
Wilson (Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 93
Party: Republican
Home address: 881 Queen Street, Boone
Date of birth: May 5, 1929
Education: Cove Creek High School
Occupation: Semiretired — restaurant owner, Dan’l Boone Inn; farmer
Family: Married with three children and five grandchildren.
Political experience: four terms as a Watauga County Commissioner; 13 years in the N.C. House.
What makes you best qualified: I have a lifetime of experience in the district. I have raised a family, farmed, owned and operated several small businesses, created jobs and served in local government. I best understand the challenges this district faces. I have always seen my job as serving the interest of the people, rather than playing politics.
Top priority if elected: I will continue to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Ashe and Watauga counties. I will continue to fight for better education, a lower tax base to attract businesses, and pro-family legislation.
Party: Republican
Home address: 881 Queen Street, Boone
Date of birth: May 5, 1929
Education: Cove Creek High School
Occupation: Semiretired — restaurant owner, Dan’l Boone Inn; farmer
Family: Married with three children and five grandchildren.
Political experience: four terms as a Watauga County Commissioner; 13 years in the N.C. House.
What makes you best qualified: I have a lifetime of experience in the district. I have raised a family, farmed, owned and operated several small businesses, created jobs and served in local government. I best understand the challenges this district faces. I have always seen my job as serving the interest of the people, rather than playing politics.
Top priority if elected: I will continue to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Ashe and Watauga counties. I will continue to fight for better education, a lower tax base to attract businesses, and pro-family legislation.