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Stokes
Headlines
• House race falling-out goes on over ad's claim
Oct. 30, 2004
Two history teachers running for N.C. House District 91 continued to question each other's integrity yesterday, a day after name-calling arose over a campaign ad and allegations that one of the candidates worked on the campaign while at school.
Featured Stories
N.C. House District 91
• Stokes candidates want new industry, fiscal responsibility
Oct. 22, 2004
Candidates for the Stokes County Board of Commissioners say that moving the county toward fiscal responsibility and attracting new industry are priorities, and some want to reinstate money cut two years ago to social services and the health department.
County Board of Education
• Teachers priority in Stokes schools race
Oct. 24, 2004
Candidates for the Stokes County Board of Education say that the biggest issues facing the rural system are attracting and retaining teachers and school-building needs.
Candidate Profiles
- N.C. House District 91
- County Board of Commissioners
- County Register of Deeds
- County Board of Education
- Judicial District 17-B
Holloway, Mitchell refer to jobs, taxes
COMPILED BY SHERRY YOUNGQUIST
Bryan Holloway, a Republican, and Robert Mitchell, a Democrat, are running for N.C. House District 91, a district made up of Stokes County and part of Rockingham County. The term is two years.
Bryan Holloway
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 91
Party: Republican
Home address: 1165 Sterling Pointe Drive, King
Date of birth: Oct. 16, 1977
Education: North Wilkes High School, 1995; B.S. in history and secondary education, Appalachian State University, 1999
Occupation: History teacher at West Stokes High School.
Family: Married
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I think that three things come to mind. No. 1. is being concerned for people of this area and this district. My heart is in the right place. I do have the concern for the people. I want to make sure the district maintains its heritage and remains a place where we want to raise children and retire.
Top priority if elected: When you look at priorities, as far as the issues go, definitely the area is starving for jobs. As legislators, we have to create an environment that is conducive to jobs. Also, education…. We have got to prepare these kids for the importance of going on and receiving more education. Both of those, jobs and education, are the two combined priorities of anyone seeking office. The third thing is definitely family values, strengthening our families.
Party: Republican
Home address: 1165 Sterling Pointe Drive, King
Date of birth: Oct. 16, 1977
Education: North Wilkes High School, 1995; B.S. in history and secondary education, Appalachian State University, 1999
Occupation: History teacher at West Stokes High School.
Family: Married
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I think that three things come to mind. No. 1. is being concerned for people of this area and this district. My heart is in the right place. I do have the concern for the people. I want to make sure the district maintains its heritage and remains a place where we want to raise children and retire.
Top priority if elected: When you look at priorities, as far as the issues go, definitely the area is starving for jobs. As legislators, we have to create an environment that is conducive to jobs. Also, education…. We have got to prepare these kids for the importance of going on and receiving more education. Both of those, jobs and education, are the two combined priorities of anyone seeking office. The third thing is definitely family values, strengthening our families.
Robert Mitchell
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 91
Party: Democrat
Home address: 2840 Collinstown Road, Westfield
Date of birth: Jan. 14, 1977
Education: North Stokes High School, 1995; B.A., UNC Asheville, 1999; M.A., N.C. State University, 2003; Vermont College
Occupation: History teacher at West Stokes High School and part-time tobacco farmer and cattle farmer.
Family: Married with one daughter
Political experience: In 2002, he ran for the N.C. House, District 91.
What makes you best qualified: I’m the only candidate from the district, raised in the district. I’m really the only candidate who has a list of civic and church experience. I’m an elder in my church and past president of the Francisco Ruritan Club. I think the fact that I’ve lived here my whole life is a qualification. I have a record of community service. I think I’m the only candidate who can represent the whole district fairly. Folks in the northern end of the county have often felt left out of the political process. Having worked in the south and having family who live in the northern part of the county, I can represent the entire county.
Top priority if elected: I will secure the funding that Stokes County deserves so that our overall tax burden remains low and so the commissioners won’t have to raise property taxes. I want to make sure that Stokes and Rockingham get their fair share from Raleigh. I would like to support policies that support farmers and landowners. I’m sort of a farm preservationist. We need to make sure that if a farmer wants to hold on to their land, there needs to be some type of program that says if you want to leave this green space here we want to reward you for it.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 2840 Collinstown Road, Westfield
Date of birth: Jan. 14, 1977
Education: North Stokes High School, 1995; B.A., UNC Asheville, 1999; M.A., N.C. State University, 2003; Vermont College
Occupation: History teacher at West Stokes High School and part-time tobacco farmer and cattle farmer.
Family: Married with one daughter
Political experience: In 2002, he ran for the N.C. House, District 91.
What makes you best qualified: I’m the only candidate from the district, raised in the district. I’m really the only candidate who has a list of civic and church experience. I’m an elder in my church and past president of the Francisco Ruritan Club. I think the fact that I’ve lived here my whole life is a qualification. I have a record of community service. I think I’m the only candidate who can represent the whole district fairly. Folks in the northern end of the county have often felt left out of the political process. Having worked in the south and having family who live in the northern part of the county, I can represent the entire county.
Top priority if elected: I will secure the funding that Stokes County deserves so that our overall tax burden remains low and so the commissioners won’t have to raise property taxes. I want to make sure that Stokes and Rockingham get their fair share from Raleigh. I would like to support policies that support farmers and landowners. I’m sort of a farm preservationist. We need to make sure that if a farmer wants to hold on to their land, there needs to be some type of program that says if you want to leave this green space here we want to reward you for it.
Five seats are open for Stokes County commissioners
COMPILED BY SHERRY YOUNGQUIST
Two of the five seats on the Stokes County Board of Commissioners are up for re-election. Republican incumbent Leon Inman faces Jimmy Walker, a Republican, and Democrats Reba Elliott and Keith Robertson. The two candidates with the most votes will win the seats. Terms are four years.
In the race for Stokes County Register of Deeds, Republican incumbent Kathy Young faces Mickey Rothrock, a Democrat. The term is four years.
James Booth is running for re-election as the Stokes Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. The race is nonpartisan.
Jimmy Walker
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 126 Jefferson Church Road, King, NC
Date of Birth: June 23, 1944
Education: Mineral Springs High School, 1962; N.C. State University. Degree in supervision, Forsyth Technical Community College, 1976
Occupation: Insurance agent in King,
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: He was elected to the King City Council in 1989 and re-elected in 1993. He was elected mayor of King in 1995 and re-elected in 1997. In 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for the former N.C. Senate District 12.
What makes you best qualified: I think it’s my experience, my willingness to listen to the people, my conservative values. I think my faith in God is important, and I have a history when I was in the office before of putting the needs of the people first.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to see that we are meeting our current needs adequately that were preparing well for the future so that our children and grandchildren will have an even better place to live. I want to see that we are able to have funds in reserves to meet emergencies and anything unexpected that might happen, and to see that people’s taxes are as reasonable as they can be at the same time.
Party: Republican
Home address: 126 Jefferson Church Road, King, NC
Date of Birth: June 23, 1944
Education: Mineral Springs High School, 1962; N.C. State University. Degree in supervision, Forsyth Technical Community College, 1976
Occupation: Insurance agent in King,
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: He was elected to the King City Council in 1989 and re-elected in 1993. He was elected mayor of King in 1995 and re-elected in 1997. In 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for the former N.C. Senate District 12.
What makes you best qualified: I think it’s my experience, my willingness to listen to the people, my conservative values. I think my faith in God is important, and I have a history when I was in the office before of putting the needs of the people first.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to see that we are meeting our current needs adequately that were preparing well for the future so that our children and grandchildren will have an even better place to live. I want to see that we are able to have funds in reserves to meet emergencies and anything unexpected that might happen, and to see that people’s taxes are as reasonable as they can be at the same time.
Leon Inman
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Commissioner
Party: Republican
Home address: 5726 N.C. 66 South, King
Date of Birth: June 22, 1947
Education: East Surry High School, 1965; B.A., Guilford College, 1969; M.A., Appalachian State University, 1976; M.As., UNC Greensboro, 1994
Occupation: In 2003, he retired as assistant principal of King Elementary School. He had been with Stokes County Schools for 33 years. He has owned Country Adventure and Child Development day care center in King since 1989.
Family: Widower with two children
Political experience: In 2002, he was appointed to a seat on the Stokes County Board of Commissioners to fill an unexpired term. He is running for his first full term on the board.
What makes you best qualified: I have been a pretty much lifelong resident of Stokes County, I know and understand the needs and issues facing the people of Stokes County. I don’t have any hidden agendas. The only agenda I have is what’s best for all of the citizens of Stokes County.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to continue to move our county toward fiscal responsibility. I would like to see our county grow. I would like to see our county capitalize on the natural beauty and the tourism. We would certainly like to see new business and industry. That’s going to be very difficult without the infrastructure to support it. Tourism is certainly an aspect. Having been an educator, I have a passion for our schools for our young people and keeping taxes low and spending the county’s tax money wisely and conservatively is a big goal of mine.
Party: Republican
Home address: 5726 N.C. 66 South, King
Date of Birth: June 22, 1947
Education: East Surry High School, 1965; B.A., Guilford College, 1969; M.A., Appalachian State University, 1976; M.As., UNC Greensboro, 1994
Occupation: In 2003, he retired as assistant principal of King Elementary School. He had been with Stokes County Schools for 33 years. He has owned Country Adventure and Child Development day care center in King since 1989.
Family: Widower with two children
Political experience: In 2002, he was appointed to a seat on the Stokes County Board of Commissioners to fill an unexpired term. He is running for his first full term on the board.
What makes you best qualified: I have been a pretty much lifelong resident of Stokes County, I know and understand the needs and issues facing the people of Stokes County. I don’t have any hidden agendas. The only agenda I have is what’s best for all of the citizens of Stokes County.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to continue to move our county toward fiscal responsibility. I would like to see our county grow. I would like to see our county capitalize on the natural beauty and the tourism. We would certainly like to see new business and industry. That’s going to be very difficult without the infrastructure to support it. Tourism is certainly an aspect. Having been an educator, I have a passion for our schools for our young people and keeping taxes low and spending the county’s tax money wisely and conservatively is a big goal of mine.
Keith Robertson
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Commissioner
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1872 Power Dam Road, Walnut Cove, N.C.
Date of Birth: Dec. 10, 1955
Education: North Stokes High School, 1974
Occupation: He operates Hemlock Golf Course and Riverside Apartments.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: In 2000, he ran for Stokes County Board of Commissioners.
What makes you best qualified: When I feel like something is right I’m a fighter. I fight for what is right, and I fight all the way. I only change course if someone proves to me that I’m wrong. If they don’t prove that, I go for what I think is right. I’m a fighter.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to work on the county as a whole. I’d like to see tourism built up in the county. I’d like to see our tax department not be so overbearing. They’re sending out notices and hunting things that people haven’t paid in 10 years. The tax rate we got does what it takes to keep the county functional. I’d really like to decrease if I could. There’s just so many problems in this county. back together. All this was done in the last two years. It’s now shorter services and larger budgets.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1872 Power Dam Road, Walnut Cove, N.C.
Date of Birth: Dec. 10, 1955
Education: North Stokes High School, 1974
Occupation: He operates Hemlock Golf Course and Riverside Apartments.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: In 2000, he ran for Stokes County Board of Commissioners.
What makes you best qualified: When I feel like something is right I’m a fighter. I fight for what is right, and I fight all the way. I only change course if someone proves to me that I’m wrong. If they don’t prove that, I go for what I think is right. I’m a fighter.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to work on the county as a whole. I’d like to see tourism built up in the county. I’d like to see our tax department not be so overbearing. They’re sending out notices and hunting things that people haven’t paid in 10 years. The tax rate we got does what it takes to keep the county functional. I’d really like to decrease if I could. There’s just so many problems in this county. back together. All this was done in the last two years. It’s now shorter services and larger budgets.
Reba Elliott
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Commissioners
Party: Democrat
Home address: 704 Southern Road, King, N.C.
Date of Birth: Aug. 17, 1938
Education: Boonville High School, 1956; UNC Greensboro
Occupation: She retired in 2002 from Cancer Services Incorporated after 14 years.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: She was a Stokes County commissioners from 1982 to 1986 and from 1992 to 1996.
What makes you best qualified: I think my experience in working with two different boards makes me best qualified and my experience working with the community and my experience with the job I had in working with people.
Top priority if elected: I would like to see us do is try to get our financial house back in order. The last few years, we’ve had to refinance several projects. We need to build up our fund balance. I would like to see us have a more open and honest government. I would like to see us to do some short and long term planning for capital outlay planning for schools and any other building need and during that time build back our fund balance.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 704 Southern Road, King, N.C.
Date of Birth: Aug. 17, 1938
Education: Boonville High School, 1956; UNC Greensboro
Occupation: She retired in 2002 from Cancer Services Incorporated after 14 years.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: She was a Stokes County commissioners from 1982 to 1986 and from 1992 to 1996.
What makes you best qualified: I think my experience in working with two different boards makes me best qualified and my experience working with the community and my experience with the job I had in working with people.
Top priority if elected: I would like to see us do is try to get our financial house back in order. The last few years, we’ve had to refinance several projects. We need to build up our fund balance. I would like to see us have a more open and honest government. I would like to see us to do some short and long term planning for capital outlay planning for schools and any other building need and during that time build back our fund balance.
County Register of Deeds
Kathy Young
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Register of Deeds
Party: Republican
Home address: 1114 Nina Woods Road, Danbury, NC
Date of Birth: Sept. 21, 1955
Education: Patrick County High School, 1975 She has taken classes at Forsyth Technical Community College and at the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill that led to her certification with the N.C. Association of Register of Deeds.
Occupation: She is the Stokes County Register of Deeds.
Family: She has been married 30 years to Randy. They have one daughter, Jill Young Rininger,
Political experience: She was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. She is running for a third term.
What makes you best qualified: I have 16 years experience in the office with eight of those years as a register of deeds. I’m certified by the N.C. Association of Register of Deeds that entails a lot of educational experience pertaining to the register of deeds office. I didn’t get it in all one year. It takes several years to get certified. All of the jobs that I have had have been with the county. I have worked in the department of social services as an income maintenance worker. I have worked in the county manager’s office as an administrative assistant.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to continue to update the technology in the office. Over the last eight years, I’ve managed to convert old records. We still have about 195 hardback books that I would like to see digital and put them on our website. I just would like to continue with the technology and get vital records on the computer system as well. I want to continue to give good service. I’m very proud of my staff. I’ve very proud of my office. I can’t do it without my staff.
Party: Republican
Home address: 1114 Nina Woods Road, Danbury, NC
Date of Birth: Sept. 21, 1955
Education: Patrick County High School, 1975 She has taken classes at Forsyth Technical Community College and at the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill that led to her certification with the N.C. Association of Register of Deeds.
Occupation: She is the Stokes County Register of Deeds.
Family: She has been married 30 years to Randy. They have one daughter, Jill Young Rininger,
Political experience: She was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. She is running for a third term.
What makes you best qualified: I have 16 years experience in the office with eight of those years as a register of deeds. I’m certified by the N.C. Association of Register of Deeds that entails a lot of educational experience pertaining to the register of deeds office. I didn’t get it in all one year. It takes several years to get certified. All of the jobs that I have had have been with the county. I have worked in the department of social services as an income maintenance worker. I have worked in the county manager’s office as an administrative assistant.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to continue to update the technology in the office. Over the last eight years, I’ve managed to convert old records. We still have about 195 hardback books that I would like to see digital and put them on our website. I just would like to continue with the technology and get vital records on the computer system as well. I want to continue to give good service. I’m very proud of my staff. I’ve very proud of my office. I can’t do it without my staff.
Mickey Rothrock
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Register of Deeds
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1100 Brookridge Drive, Walnut Cove, NC
Date of Birth: Sept. 12, 1949
Education: South Stokes High School, 1967
Occupation: Own of Mickey’s Grocery in Walnut Cove
Family: Married with two sons and three grandchildren
Political experience: In 2000, she ran for Stokes County Register of Deeds.
What makes you best qualified: I have 10 years legal experience. I have 18 years of business experience so I know that customer service is very important. I can prove that with my business experience. I manage my budget at my business, and it is twice the budget at the register deeds office. I’m very involved in my community. I think that’s very important too.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is customer service. I think you serve all the citizens of the county, and you have to treat every citizen equally. I would like to extend the office recording hours to 5 p.m. Right now, 4:45 p.m. is the cut off time. I would also look at opening at 8 a.m. Most surrounding counties are open for recording 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stokes is 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1100 Brookridge Drive, Walnut Cove, NC
Date of Birth: Sept. 12, 1949
Education: South Stokes High School, 1967
Occupation: Own of Mickey’s Grocery in Walnut Cove
Family: Married with two sons and three grandchildren
Political experience: In 2000, she ran for Stokes County Register of Deeds.
What makes you best qualified: I have 10 years legal experience. I have 18 years of business experience so I know that customer service is very important. I can prove that with my business experience. I manage my budget at my business, and it is twice the budget at the register deeds office. I’m very involved in my community. I think that’s very important too.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is customer service. I think you serve all the citizens of the county, and you have to treat every citizen equally. I would like to extend the office recording hours to 5 p.m. Right now, 4:45 p.m. is the cut off time. I would also look at opening at 8 a.m. Most surrounding counties are open for recording 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stokes is 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
10 candidates vie for 3 Stokes seats
COMPILED BY SHERRY YOUNGQUIST
Three of the five seats on the Stokes County Board of Education are up for re-election. Incumbents Sonya Cox, Yvonne Rutledge and Ernest Lankford face Theresa Edwards, Joanna Nickell, Sharon O’Connor, Wink Radford, Steve Shelton, Matthew Tilley and James Turpin. The three candidates with the most votes will win the seats. Terms are four years.
James Booth is seeking re-election for Stokes County Soil and Water District Supervisor. He is unopposed in the nonpartisan race. The term is four years.
Sonya Cox
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 5645 N.C. 66 South, King, NC
Date of Birth: Feb. 5, 1965
Education: Freedom Christian School, 1983, Winston-Salem Barber School, 1984
Occupation: She manages a salon with her mother called King’s Cabin Salon and Day Spa. She is also a barber.
Family: Married with four children
Political experience: She was appointed to the Stokes County Board of Education in 2003 and is running for her first full term.
What makes you best qualified: I’m a mother of four children in school, spanning from college to elementary school. My husband is the art teacher in the school system at West Stokes High School. I have been a volunteer in the schools for 13 years at numerous levels. I was on the bond referendum steering committee when we passed the last school bonds. I know what it takes to get a community behind a bond referendum. That’s a big issue that we’re looking at right now. I just feel like I’m experienced in that capacity.
Top priority if elected: My priority is how can we attract and retrain quality teachers and administrators? Our system cannot afford to pay the supplement that the surrounding counties pay. We don’t have the money to be as competitive as I would like it to be. I would like to see the supplement raised. We also need to find other means and creative ways of attracting quality teachers.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 5645 N.C. 66 South, King, NC
Date of Birth: Feb. 5, 1965
Education: Freedom Christian School, 1983, Winston-Salem Barber School, 1984
Occupation: She manages a salon with her mother called King’s Cabin Salon and Day Spa. She is also a barber.
Family: Married with four children
Political experience: She was appointed to the Stokes County Board of Education in 2003 and is running for her first full term.
What makes you best qualified: I’m a mother of four children in school, spanning from college to elementary school. My husband is the art teacher in the school system at West Stokes High School. I have been a volunteer in the schools for 13 years at numerous levels. I was on the bond referendum steering committee when we passed the last school bonds. I know what it takes to get a community behind a bond referendum. That’s a big issue that we’re looking at right now. I just feel like I’m experienced in that capacity.
Top priority if elected: My priority is how can we attract and retrain quality teachers and administrators? Our system cannot afford to pay the supplement that the surrounding counties pay. We don’t have the money to be as competitive as I would like it to be. I would like to see the supplement raised. We also need to find other means and creative ways of attracting quality teachers.
Theresa G. Edwards
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1226 Hill Road, King, NC 27021
Date of Birth: March 26, 1951
Education: Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, N.Y.; B.S. University of Miami.
Occupation: Certified professional healthcare risk manager for Palmer & Cay Inc. in King.
Family: Married to Don C. Edwards; three sons, Michael, 23, Nick, 16, and Mackenzie, 12.
Political experience: None
What makes you best: I believe what makes me best qualified is my past involvement and experience with the schools here in King and the business knowledge and proactive strategy that I will bring to the school board, proactive being the key word.
Top priority if elected: It’s a long answer. It is really to improve the quality of education that our students are receiving in Stokes County. It is not equal to what is being offered in surrounding counties. I have issues with the guidance services that are available to our children in some of the schools. I don’t think we are properly preparing our children, especially at the high school level. I believe we need to increase taxes to support education.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1226 Hill Road, King, NC 27021
Date of Birth: March 26, 1951
Education: Sewanhaka High School, Floral Park, N.Y.; B.S. University of Miami.
Occupation: Certified professional healthcare risk manager for Palmer & Cay Inc. in King.
Family: Married to Don C. Edwards; three sons, Michael, 23, Nick, 16, and Mackenzie, 12.
Political experience: None
What makes you best: I believe what makes me best qualified is my past involvement and experience with the schools here in King and the business knowledge and proactive strategy that I will bring to the school board, proactive being the key word.
Top priority if elected: It’s a long answer. It is really to improve the quality of education that our students are receiving in Stokes County. It is not equal to what is being offered in surrounding counties. I have issues with the guidance services that are available to our children in some of the schools. I don’t think we are properly preparing our children, especially at the high school level. I believe we need to increase taxes to support education.
Ernest Lankford
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 2766 N.C. 8 Highway North, Danbury, NC
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1942
Education: Lawsonville High School, 1961 Rockingham Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College.
Occupation: He is retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and now works as a part-time officer of Stokes County Veterans Services.
Family: Married with two children from a previous marriage.
Political experience: He was first elected in 1986 and has served four terms. He is running for a fifth term.
What makes you best qualified: I have experience working with children. I became interested in the Stokes County Board of Education doing work as a little league baseball and basketball coach, and I was PTA president when my own son was in school. I had an interest and wanted to make sure that our children in Stokes County had every opportunity to receive a quality education. I have always been interested in making decisions in what was the best interest of the children. I feel like that is my record, and I’ve always done that.
Top priority if elected: Number one is a safe school environment. The next one would be the curriculum and that we need to motivate and allow children to excel in education. We need to provide the needed classroom space for our total system, make sure we retain and attract top educators for our system and then make sure that we have an open communication for the community and the schools.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 2766 N.C. 8 Highway North, Danbury, NC
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1942
Education: Lawsonville High School, 1961 Rockingham Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College.
Occupation: He is retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and now works as a part-time officer of Stokes County Veterans Services.
Family: Married with two children from a previous marriage.
Political experience: He was first elected in 1986 and has served four terms. He is running for a fifth term.
What makes you best qualified: I have experience working with children. I became interested in the Stokes County Board of Education doing work as a little league baseball and basketball coach, and I was PTA president when my own son was in school. I had an interest and wanted to make sure that our children in Stokes County had every opportunity to receive a quality education. I have always been interested in making decisions in what was the best interest of the children. I feel like that is my record, and I’ve always done that.
Top priority if elected: Number one is a safe school environment. The next one would be the curriculum and that we need to motivate and allow children to excel in education. We need to provide the needed classroom space for our total system, make sure we retain and attract top educators for our system and then make sure that we have an open communication for the community and the schools.
Joanna Nickell
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1085 Nickell Farm Road, Westfield, NC 27053
Date of Birth: June 14, 1977
Education: Hunter Huff High School in Gastonia; attended Gaston Community College.
Occupation: Owns and operates American Gymnastics in King and works as an on-call physical therapist for Stokes-Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
Family: Married to Robert Nickell; stepson, Sean, daughter, Makayla, son, Joseph.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: Well I think one of the number one qualifications is I actually do have children in the Stokes County schools. I have been in the Stokes County Schools with the kids going on eight years now. I worked a year and a half as a teachers’ assistant at Chestnut Grove Elementary in King.
Top priority if elected: I think we need to attract and retain good teachers, and I also think we need to redraw our districts. It would help with overcrowding. Those are just two of the many, many ones.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1085 Nickell Farm Road, Westfield, NC 27053
Date of Birth: June 14, 1977
Education: Hunter Huff High School in Gastonia; attended Gaston Community College.
Occupation: Owns and operates American Gymnastics in King and works as an on-call physical therapist for Stokes-Reynolds Memorial Hospital.
Family: Married to Robert Nickell; stepson, Sean, daughter, Makayla, son, Joseph.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: Well I think one of the number one qualifications is I actually do have children in the Stokes County schools. I have been in the Stokes County Schools with the kids going on eight years now. I worked a year and a half as a teachers’ assistant at Chestnut Grove Elementary in King.
Top priority if elected: I think we need to attract and retain good teachers, and I also think we need to redraw our districts. It would help with overcrowding. Those are just two of the many, many ones.
Sharon O’Connor
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1215 Meadowbrook Drive, King, NC 27021
Date of birth: May 20, 1954
Education: Princeton (W. Va.) High School; associate degree from California College.
Occupation: Respiratory therapist at Apria Healthcare in Winston-Salem.
Family: Married to Richard O’Connor; two children, Megan and Jonathan.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have experience with the school system and listening to other parents. I have experience as a parent having had kids in the school, being a band parent at one time. I feel like I know what needs to be done, and we can do what needs to be done and can actually help.
Top priority if elected: The top priority I think is to actually get more money for our school system for the teachers, their staff, the bus driver, any body that works for the school system so we can stay competitive. I mean you can’t be afraid to go up against people who keep telling you no. These are going to be our kids that are going to be our future teachers and construction workers. They deserve a good education.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1215 Meadowbrook Drive, King, NC 27021
Date of birth: May 20, 1954
Education: Princeton (W. Va.) High School; associate degree from California College.
Occupation: Respiratory therapist at Apria Healthcare in Winston-Salem.
Family: Married to Richard O’Connor; two children, Megan and Jonathan.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have experience with the school system and listening to other parents. I have experience as a parent having had kids in the school, being a band parent at one time. I feel like I know what needs to be done, and we can do what needs to be done and can actually help.
Top priority if elected: The top priority I think is to actually get more money for our school system for the teachers, their staff, the bus driver, any body that works for the school system so we can stay competitive. I mean you can’t be afraid to go up against people who keep telling you no. These are going to be our kids that are going to be our future teachers and construction workers. They deserve a good education.
Wink Radford
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 830 Meadowbrook Drive, King, NC
Date of Birth: June 23, 1963
Education: Patrick County High School, 1981; associate’s degree in business management, Surry Community College, 1986
Occupation: Commercial accounts manager for Time Warner Cable in Greensboro.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I was raised on a dairy farm in Patrick County, Va. My mother is teaching elementary school for her 34th year. Her mother retired teaching elementary school. My wife is a teacher’s assistant at King Elementary. My lifelong association with a rural school system has provided me an insight into the issues and challenges faced by the small county school system.
Top priority if elected: I want to revise our school year calendar to start after August 25, and I want to standardize our early dismissal days. I want to make our early dismissal days the same or consistent with one another, across the school system. Certainly, just for the benefit of the parents. These changes are common sense changes that will help the parents in our community, therefore creating strong support for our school system.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 830 Meadowbrook Drive, King, NC
Date of Birth: June 23, 1963
Education: Patrick County High School, 1981; associate’s degree in business management, Surry Community College, 1986
Occupation: Commercial accounts manager for Time Warner Cable in Greensboro.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I was raised on a dairy farm in Patrick County, Va. My mother is teaching elementary school for her 34th year. Her mother retired teaching elementary school. My wife is a teacher’s assistant at King Elementary. My lifelong association with a rural school system has provided me an insight into the issues and challenges faced by the small county school system.
Top priority if elected: I want to revise our school year calendar to start after August 25, and I want to standardize our early dismissal days. I want to make our early dismissal days the same or consistent with one another, across the school system. Certainly, just for the benefit of the parents. These changes are common sense changes that will help the parents in our community, therefore creating strong support for our school system.
Yvonne Rutledge
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1407 S. Friendship Road, Germanton, NC
Date of Birth: Sept. 23, 1943
Education: Northwest High School, 1961, B.S. in math, Wake Forest College, 1966, M.A. in teaching, Duke University, 1968
Occupation: She works as a legal secretary and assistant for her husband’s private law practice in Walnut Cove.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: She was first elected in 1992 to the Stokes County Board of Education and was re-elected in 1996 and 2000. She is running for a fourth term.
What makes you best qualified: I think my experience. There’s a lot about school board that you think you know, but then you find out that there’s a lot more out there to learn. We are facing several problems. We still have problems of attracting and retaining good qualified teachers. We have started offering more of a teacher’s supplement. We have several facilities that are overcrowded and aging. We have some buildings that just need updates. It’s mainly space issues, especially in the King area. The population is growing, and we’re going to have to build some new schools. We have several other schools that are out of space.
Top priority if elected: I think attracting and retaining good teachers is a priority. Maintaining our buildings and making them safe is a priority.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1407 S. Friendship Road, Germanton, NC
Date of Birth: Sept. 23, 1943
Education: Northwest High School, 1961, B.S. in math, Wake Forest College, 1966, M.A. in teaching, Duke University, 1968
Occupation: She works as a legal secretary and assistant for her husband’s private law practice in Walnut Cove.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: She was first elected in 1992 to the Stokes County Board of Education and was re-elected in 1996 and 2000. She is running for a fourth term.
What makes you best qualified: I think my experience. There’s a lot about school board that you think you know, but then you find out that there’s a lot more out there to learn. We are facing several problems. We still have problems of attracting and retaining good qualified teachers. We have started offering more of a teacher’s supplement. We have several facilities that are overcrowded and aging. We have some buildings that just need updates. It’s mainly space issues, especially in the King area. The population is growing, and we’re going to have to build some new schools. We have several other schools that are out of space.
Top priority if elected: I think attracting and retaining good teachers is a priority. Maintaining our buildings and making them safe is a priority.
Steve Shelton
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 602 Main St., Danbury, NC 27106
Date of birth: Dec. 4, 1951
Education: Reynolds High School; B.A. music, Wake Forest University.
Occupation: Retired after 30 years in Stokes County Schools, band director for 24 years.
Family: Married to Olivia Shelton. They have three children, Benjamin, 26, Matthew, 22, and Joshua, 18.
Political experience: Mayor of Danbury, 1987-1989, also served on the Danbury Town Council.
What makes you best qualified: I’ve been very involved in the schools throughout my 30-year career. I’ve been in the school system. I’ve seen it from the inside out. I’ve had three children come through the system. So, I’ve seen it as a parent and as an employee. I’ve been in the county now 31 years and really from the time I came into the county, I have had a record of service and volunteering in the town and in the school system.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is local funding. Every school system gets federal money and every school system gets state money. That’s pretty much standard. The thing your county is specifically interested in is money through the county by the county commissioners and that’s been pretty tight the last few years. Two years ago, there was an attempt to severely cut the local funding to the school system.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 602 Main St., Danbury, NC 27106
Date of birth: Dec. 4, 1951
Education: Reynolds High School; B.A. music, Wake Forest University.
Occupation: Retired after 30 years in Stokes County Schools, band director for 24 years.
Family: Married to Olivia Shelton. They have three children, Benjamin, 26, Matthew, 22, and Joshua, 18.
Political experience: Mayor of Danbury, 1987-1989, also served on the Danbury Town Council.
What makes you best qualified: I’ve been very involved in the schools throughout my 30-year career. I’ve been in the school system. I’ve seen it from the inside out. I’ve had three children come through the system. So, I’ve seen it as a parent and as an employee. I’ve been in the county now 31 years and really from the time I came into the county, I have had a record of service and volunteering in the town and in the school system.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is local funding. Every school system gets federal money and every school system gets state money. That’s pretty much standard. The thing your county is specifically interested in is money through the county by the county commissioners and that’s been pretty tight the last few years. Two years ago, there was an attempt to severely cut the local funding to the school system.
Matthew Tilley
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Non-partisan
Home address: 1040 Young Farm Road, Walnut Cove, NC 27052
Date of birth: 12-5-75
Education: Calvary Christian School; B.A. journalism, Bob Jones University ; MBA, Wake Forest University.
Occupation: Marketing manager for Inmar Enterprises in Winston-Salem.
Family: Married to Vanessa Tilley, three children, Harrison, Eli, and Isabelle.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have the education that is necessary to oversee the public trust in education, and I have the long term vision so that I can help us not just deal with today’s problems but look ahead to the pay-off to the investment we make today.
Top priority if elected: The top priority first of all is better communication with the community. Also, we need more local control of the spending of our education dollars. By that both the spending of the money we get from the county as well as from the state. We need better teacher pay and citizen and business involvement in the education. And we need to make sure that the motives and the activities of the board are transparent to all citizens.
Party: Non-partisan
Home address: 1040 Young Farm Road, Walnut Cove, NC 27052
Date of birth: 12-5-75
Education: Calvary Christian School; B.A. journalism, Bob Jones University ; MBA, Wake Forest University.
Occupation: Marketing manager for Inmar Enterprises in Winston-Salem.
Family: Married to Vanessa Tilley, three children, Harrison, Eli, and Isabelle.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I have the education that is necessary to oversee the public trust in education, and I have the long term vision so that I can help us not just deal with today’s problems but look ahead to the pay-off to the investment we make today.
Top priority if elected: The top priority first of all is better communication with the community. Also, we need more local control of the spending of our education dollars. By that both the spending of the money we get from the county as well as from the state. We need better teacher pay and citizen and business involvement in the education. And we need to make sure that the motives and the activities of the board are transparent to all citizens.
James Turpin
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Stokes County Board of Education
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1075 Volunteer Road, King, NC 27021
Date of Birth: Sept. 19, 1946
Education: North Forsyth High School.
Occupation: Retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., worked with tobacco company in Indonesia as consultant, currently works for J.T. Outfitters.
Family: Married to Sandra L. Turpin, two sons, Joe Turpin and John Turpin.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I’m a concerned citizen. I guess what makes me qualified also is my past work at a large corporation at looking at how we can do things better by cutting costs without cutting quality. I want to go into there and say can we do it better. I know we can do it better. There’s always a better way.
Top priority if elected: I want to bring more resources to the school classroom. I hear we don’t have books, we don’t have that. We have the money. It’s just a matter of how we appropriate. It.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1075 Volunteer Road, King, NC 27021
Date of Birth: Sept. 19, 1946
Education: North Forsyth High School.
Occupation: Retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., worked with tobacco company in Indonesia as consultant, currently works for J.T. Outfitters.
Family: Married to Sandra L. Turpin, two sons, Joe Turpin and John Turpin.
Political experience: None
What makes you best qualified: I’m a concerned citizen. I guess what makes me qualified also is my past work at a large corporation at looking at how we can do things better by cutting costs without cutting quality. I want to go into there and say can we do it better. I know we can do it better. There’s always a better way.
Top priority if elected: I want to bring more resources to the school classroom. I hear we don’t have books, we don’t have that. We have the money. It’s just a matter of how we appropriate. It.
Judicial District 17-B
Mark Badgett
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Office being sought: District Court Judge, 17-B Judicial District in Surry and Stokes counties
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1020 Surry Line Road, Pinnacle, N.C.
Date of Birth: June 1, 1957
Education: South Stokes High School, 1975. B.A, Wake Forest University, 1979, J.D., Wake Forest University, 1983
Occupation: Attorney. He was an assistant district attorney from 1983 to 1986 in the 17-B Judicial District.
Family: Single
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for superior court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I’m the only candidate who has been a prosecutor. I have experience in the district court, the superior court, juvenile court, the N.C. Court of Appeals and the N.C. Supreme Court. My years of experience as a lawyer and a district attorney, in my opinion, make me qualified for the job.
Top priority if elected: My top priorities will be the protection of the public, more efficiency in our judicial system, and a desire to make our courts open and accessible to all people. Having been a prosecutor gives me unique insight because I have seen both sides.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1020 Surry Line Road, Pinnacle, N.C.
Date of Birth: June 1, 1957
Education: South Stokes High School, 1975. B.A, Wake Forest University, 1979, J.D., Wake Forest University, 1983
Occupation: Attorney. He was an assistant district attorney from 1983 to 1986 in the 17-B Judicial District.
Family: Single
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for superior court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I’m the only candidate who has been a prosecutor. I have experience in the district court, the superior court, juvenile court, the N.C. Court of Appeals and the N.C. Supreme Court. My years of experience as a lawyer and a district attorney, in my opinion, make me qualified for the job.
Top priority if elected: My top priorities will be the protection of the public, more efficiency in our judicial system, and a desire to make our courts open and accessible to all people. Having been a prosecutor gives me unique insight because I have seen both sides.
Hugh Mills
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: District Court Judge, 17-B Judicial District, Surry and Stokes counties
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 172 Morningview Lane, Ararat, N.C.
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1950
Education: East Surry High School, 1968. B.A., Guilford College, 1972, M.A., Appalachian State University, 1978, J.D., Campbell University Law School, 1981
Occupation: Attorney
Family: Married with two daughters.
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for district court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I am independent in that I have no ongoing obligations to any group. Next, I believe in fairness defined with the common definition. Third, I believe in an optimistic approach to helping young people who find themselves in court. Too many times, young people find themselves in trouble or in a divorce situation or in juvenile court and the main thing that thing they lack is an optimistic boost from someone who could give a few words and help them formulate a plan to make tomorrow a better day. I have gathered that through helping many young people in the criminal courts, especially the indigent defendants. Every public official, whether in the executive branch, the legislative branch or the judicial branch, has an opportunity to give free optimism to young people. It costs nothing, and it helps everything.
Top priority if elected: Ensuring fairness to everyone including young people.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 172 Morningview Lane, Ararat, N.C.
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1950
Education: East Surry High School, 1968. B.A., Guilford College, 1972, M.A., Appalachian State University, 1978, J.D., Campbell University Law School, 1981
Occupation: Attorney
Family: Married with two daughters.
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for district court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I am independent in that I have no ongoing obligations to any group. Next, I believe in fairness defined with the common definition. Third, I believe in an optimistic approach to helping young people who find themselves in court. Too many times, young people find themselves in trouble or in a divorce situation or in juvenile court and the main thing that thing they lack is an optimistic boost from someone who could give a few words and help them formulate a plan to make tomorrow a better day. I have gathered that through helping many young people in the criminal courts, especially the indigent defendants. Every public official, whether in the executive branch, the legislative branch or the judicial branch, has an opportunity to give free optimism to young people. It costs nothing, and it helps everything.
Top priority if elected: Ensuring fairness to everyone including young people.