Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / May 3, 1984, edition 1 / Page 13
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The News-Journal Section B * 1 *v - ^ % ' vv 1 * 1 % ' 1 ^ 1 " ' 1 J 1 Thursday, May 3, 1984 Editorials ? Columns * Features * Classified ads Down to the wire Superior Court Lynn Johnson The Honorable E. Lynn Johnson, Candidate for the Office of Resident Superior Court Judge, 12th Judicial District, Lynn Johnson was appointed to the Superior Court bench in January of 1983, succeeding the Honorable E, Maurice Braswell, who became a Judge of the NC Court of Appeals. Judge Johnson's career ex periences include: 10 years with the firm of Black well, Thompson, Swaringen, Johnson A Thompson, with civil A criminal trial; appellate experience in State A Federal Courts; 3 years as Assistant District Attorney - J 2 th Judicial District (Cumberland A Hoke Counties); 4 years as Special Agent, FBI. EDUCA TION: '66 Graduate of UNC School of Law; *63 Graduate of UNC (BS Business Ad ministration). PERSONAL DA TA: Married to the former Ines Colins de Tarsienne; parents of 2 children. PRO FESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Graduate National District At torneys College ('72); Graduate National Judicial College ('83); NC Bar Associa tion; Cumberland Co. Bar Association; NC Academy of Trial Lawyers; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; current Sec./Treas. of Conference of superior Court Judges. Charles Guy District Court Judge Charles Lee Guy is seeking his first term on the Superior Court serving Hoke and Cumberland counties. Guy has practiced law for 31 years Including 10 years as a judge and more than tight years as a district at torney. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Law School and Wake Forest University. He has served as a highway patrol officer, is a member of the North Carolina and Cumberland County Bar Association, was a World War II combat veteran and Is a past president of the LaFayette KI wan is Club. SAMPLE BALLOT OFFICIAL BALLOT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY for COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE, and REGISTER OF DEEDS INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS a. To vote for a candidate on the ballot, make a cross (x) mark In the square at the left of his name. b. If you tear or deface or wrongly mark the ballot, return H to the registrar and get another. FOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE 12th Judicial District (You may vote for one) [ ] CHARLES LEE GUY [ ] EDWIN LYNN JOHNSON FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER (You may vote for two) [ ] HARRY C. DEW, JR. [ ] NEIL W. McPHATTER [ ] MABEL M. RILEY [ ] WYATT G. UPCHURCH FOR REGISTER OF DEEDS (You may vote for one) [ ] DELLA MAYNOR [ ] HAZEL G. NIVEN State of North Carolina Primary Election May 8. 1984 J. Scott Poole, Chairman Hoke County Board of Elections Experience is key issue in Register of Deeds race By Ed Miller Experience seems to be the key issue being pitted between the two candidates in the race for Hoke County Register of Deeds on May 8. Incumbent Delia Maynor will be trying to win her third term in of fice, and political newcomer Hazel Niven is seeking her first. Both candidates say they are and have been involved with the public for years. Maynor has served as Register of Deeds for seven and a half years and adds,"I have worked in the register's office for 10 years." She has held a job in that office ever since her graduation from Hoke County High School. Niven, who is a notary public, has never served in an elected public office, but says,"I have served in various voluntary capacities." She has also worked for The News-Journal and for the federal government in the finance depart ment in Washington D. C. In addition Niven points out that she has had experience dealing with the public while working in a family-operated business. When asked about their qualifications for office, the can didates gave these responses: "I have the experience," Maynor said, noting that, "I am the only qualified person running." "An unqualified person would not know how to handle all the responsibility," Maynor added. She said that her office is governed by the State Legislature and that, "a new person would have to learn all the rules and regulations." Maynor also has attended staW workshops, district meetings, and conventions dealing with her of fice. Niven feels her experience in the private sector gives her an edge. "I have had more than 20 years office experience. I have had a lot of dealings with the public," she said. "I have worked at the agricultural extension office and for the National Guard, and I am a tax lister for the township of Quewiffie," she said. Niven also added,"My children are gone and my time is my own." Niven is a charter member of the Raeford Women's Club Public Af fairs Department and Circle Chairperson and has also been in volved with the county schools. "I was on a committee to raise money for band uniforms, and we raised well over $8,000," Niven said. Maynor it on the North Carolina Council on the Status of Women, the Hoke County Council on the Status of Women, the Hoke County Youth Task Force and the Commission on Indian Affairs. Four trying for commission In recent interviews, two of the four candidates seeking spots on the Hoke County Commission favored countywide 'zoning and felt it would help rural areas develop properly. "We need zoning. It needs to be set up so that it does not hurt peo ple. I think a zoning plan can be worked out that everyone can live with," former Commissioner Mabel M. Riley said. Commissioner Wyatt G. Up church also favors a zoning or dinance which would help the small property owner. "I know there have been lots sold in places where the soil will not perk for septic tanks," Up church said, noting that a zoning ordinance would help prevent the sale of improper residential lots. Both candidates also agree that this county needs rural residential development, and Riley favors promoting the Rockfish area for retirees. "1 was raised on a farm. 1 know how valuable good farm land is. I would like to see not especially good land developed for housing and industry," she said. Proper rural development would increase all land values in the coun ty, Upchurch added. Upchurch and Riley, along with Commissioner Neil W. McPhatter and Harry C. Dew Jr., are vying for two seats on the commission. Both Dew and McPhatter could not be reached to be interviewed. The 49-year-old Upchurch is the owner and operator of Tarheel Turkey Hatchery, which employs 110 workers and had gross sales last year of about $S million. "I'm old enough to have common sense and young enough to use it," the 67-year-old Riley said. Upchurch was appointed to the commission in November 1982 to fill a vacancy created when Daniel DeVane was elected to the state House of Representatives. While on the commission, Up church has taken a business-like approach to conducting the coun ty's affairs. He has taken a stand on issues. "I am running because I enjoy it. People in Hoke County have been real good to my family, and 1 feel this is one way I can repay them," Upchurch said. "The business experience 1 have is a plus," he added. Riley, who also will voice her opinion, served one term on the commission and was defeated dur ing the 1982 election. Her seat was filled by Cleo Bratcher. Prior to her retirement, Riley spent 45 years working in a family business. "I have plenty of time," Riley said, noting that her retirement would give her more time to devote to public office. "I'm old enough to have com mon sense and young enough to use it," the 67-year-old Riley said. Little is known about Dew. He is running a low-key campaign. Dew is apparently in a farm related business and lives in the Dundarrach area. McPhatter is seeking his third four-year term on the commission. He became the first black to serve on the board when he was named in 1976 to fill the vacancy created by the death of J.A. Webb. The 60-year-old McPhatter is a building contractor and the pastor of St. Andrews Holiness Church in Tylertown. Both Upchurch and Riley of fered these opinions about other issues facing the commission in the coming years: Future of schools A Blue Ribbon Committee of 21 county residents studying the schools has given the public every opportunity to voice opinions, Up church said. "I have faith in the committee," Upchurch said. t" A Wyatt Upchurch "They have given the public plenty of opportunity to give in put," he said. "Eighty percent of them have put a tremendous amount of time into it," he added. "I recommended a study in the Hoke County school system for what is needed in the long term and short term." Upchurch said. "I think the Blue Ribbon Com mittee has brought us (the School Board and the County Commis sioners) closer together," Up church said. Riley also believes that the schools need improvement. "Something needs to be done in schools," she said. The two candidates did not fully agree on how the improvements in area schools are to be funded. The newest recommendations from the committee provides for a bond issue to pay for the upgrading. "If the people want that, I would support it," Riley said. "I am for when you buy something, pay for it," Upchurch said. "But again, we are talking about a lot of dollars and a bond issue might not be the most suitable way. I have not yet heard the total dollars and what is needed at the schools. I want to take a reasonable approach on this issue because I am for better education," Upchurch said. 'MM Mabel Riley Upchurch added that new school buildings do not teach people to read and write. The school ad ministration should take credit or blame for the current level of education; however, he did not voice an opinion on what kind of job he thought the present school administration is doing. The Raeford-Hoke Airport Upchurch says many of the problems which exist at the airport could hinge on a lack of com munication. Both he and Riley agree a newly appointed commis sion could help improve the facili ty. "I would like to give this com mission a chance to see if they can make it work. The County Com missioners and the City Council should keep close tabs on the com mission to make sure they do a good job," Riley said. "We are getting a commission together. Our appointments will be surfacing shortly on that," Up church said, adding that the Coun '7 am running because / enjoy it. Peo ple in Hoke County have been real good to my family, and I feel this is one way / can repay them," Upchurch said. ty Commissioners would have to study long and hard before making their appointments. Upchurch and Riley agree that the airport has had problems in the past. Riley said that she thinks a pilot should be able to fully service and maintain his plane at the facility. "1 think that it should almost be self supporting," Riley said. Taxes Rising The candidates both said that they would not favor a tax hike Neil McPhatter unless it was absolutely necessary. "I like to see a person get a dollars worth of services for a dollars worth of taxes. Priorites need to be set," Riley said. "The things on the priority list, like law enforcement, schools, county government, social services and the health department must be funded," she said. Additional county services will result in increased taxes, Upchurch said. "If people continue to want ser vices, the money has got to come from somewhere," he said. "And there are some programs that we have now in the county that I would like to see trimmed. At budget time is when I want to go public," Upchurch said. Industrial recruitment "First of all, 1 want to see the in dustry that's already here as happy as possible," Upchurch said. "I think we should try to attract some small business and industry so that so much development does not have to be done to water and sewer," said Riley. "1 would not pass up any large industry, but the smaller ones are easier to accommodate now," she added. Upchurch added support for recruitment effort which would compliment existing industry. "We need to seek industry that can better serve our existing in dustry. We are going to have to spend money to get industry. Both candidates expressed desires that the county should possibly start small in the quest for new industry.
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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May 3, 1984, edition 1
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