Author: Stan Deatherage | Published: April 20th, 2010

    To be posted in their next edition. The questions of the Questionnaire are in italics. There was 150 word limit per answer which I minded on some answers, and, obviously, not on others. Overall, I probably averaged around 150 words per answer.

1. What office are you seeking and why?

    I am seeking re-election to the Beaufort County Commission to continue as one of the true conservative voices on the board, so I may continue to speak for conservatives, who desire a limited, less intrusive government. In my nearly 14 years as a county commission, I have consistently advocated for a more streamlined, efficient and effective government that would cut the cost of providing essential services, and act as beacon to lead other politicians in a more prudent direction.

    Have I been successful? On occasion: Yes, but shepherding better governing practices among more liberal politicians is like herding cats - more often than not, you fail. When I am successful, I am grateful that my efforts were not in vain, and I am encouraged that we are making some headway in limiting the scope of government, while retaining our freedoms - granted to us by Almighty God - as his people.

2. How are you qualified for this office?

    I am qualified because I have been elected four times previously, and I am the only sitting commissioner to be elected county-wide, in 2004, to fill the unexpired term of conservative County Commissioner Carol Cochran.

    As one would surmise from my duration as a county commissioner, I have a very long voting record. In its conservative tone, and in some libertarian measure, it is without equal, among the other incumbents seeking office of how we should, in its collective expression, adhere to the vision of Our Founding Fathers' desire as to how we should proceed and govern as a people - an American People.

    How do I know what Our Founding Fathers would have wanted? It is all in the United States Constitution. Like any good preacher, who studies his bible, this politician studies his Constitution.

3. Based on survey results, of those who participate within the Belhaven Recreation Department, only 10 percent live in town - the remaining live in Beaufort County. The county appropriates roughly $12,000 per year, which Belhaven officials claim is not enough county funding. Would you support a 50-50 percent split to keep the program operational? Why or why not?

    I have always been of a mind that Beaufort County have a recreation department. It would only be an effective, cost efficient operation if we incorporated the essential help of volunteer groups that truly have the interests of developing the potential of our young citizens. Athletic competition not only brings communities together, it, moreover, builds character within the young spirits of its participants.

    This essential volunteerism would work alongside the county's cost efficiencies of economy of scale and using the resources of our Beaufort County School System, which only the county commissioners have the governmental right to demand.

    In my plan; independent city recreation departments could coexist, to the extent that their city governments would desire it to as an overlay, but would be subservient to the management of the county's streamlined / volunteer oriented department.

     Since the county government provides the bulk of all services to the citizens of incorporated municipalities, I have made it my uniform practice to never grant additional funding to these overlay governments, but I would sorely appreciate the participation of municipalities in any county recreation department. Working together would insure its success.

4. What do you plan to do to ensure tourism continues within Washington, Pantego, Bath and Belhaven now that the U.S. 17-Bypass is open?

    I am the only commissioner candidate seeking election that has ever worked to move the bypass to a more efficient location: East of Washington: Acting as our county's bridge across the Pamlico River. We, me and Commissioner Hood Richardson, drew up maps as to a more proper location that met all of the DOT's criteria: Crossing the Pamlico from the north at the former Griffin's Beach to Hills Point on the south of the river. We were strenuously rebuffed by the Democrats running the county board and their minions or handlers - it was all interchangeable at that time.

    Some disingenuous politicians announced, "We will get a bridge across the Pamlico at the Ferry Landing, but first we need to put the bypass west of Washington as close to Greenville as possible."

    From that edgy time in the annals of Beaufort County Government to the recollections of the present, two things are definitely true: 1. Because of me and Commissioner Richardson's "hijncks," we shamed the Democrats from locating the bypass through another influential Democrat's land in Pitt County. 2. No one reading this article will live to see a bridge across the Pamlico, east of Washington. I did at least try to accomplish the opposite.

    Remarkably, I, with Hood's help, actually believe we could influence a better decision now. Back in the late 1990's, when this decision was originated, the special interest, big money Democrats were still firmly in control. We will pay for their uninspired "leadership" for decades hence.

    About the question of tourism? Help me to continue to change the way this county has been governed. Make this a better place for people to live, with sensible government, enacting prudent policy, and stop the insipid special interest. This is not what Our Founding Fathers envisioned.

5. Share something that most people don't know about you?

    I have four nearly grown children, who still love and respect me. I enjoy classical music, but I really still love good rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, traditional country and especially bluegrass. I draw, I paint and I write copiously.

    I run a company that is on the leading edge of the internet paradigm - at least in eastern North Carolina, and I also publish BeaufortCountyNow.com.

<< I'm Still Not Finished ...

Primaries are Strange >>