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2 THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18,2018 SENATE Continued from 1 “unfair playing field.” How-’ ever, Twiddy said he would consider incentives that cre ate a lot of jobs and have a strong “return on invest ment.” In a contrast with Stein burg, Twiddy also said he doesn’t support subsidies for renewable energy com panies. “I’m much more of a free market guy than he is,” Twiddy said. On a regulatory issue re lated to renewable energies - -—the 18-month moratorium placed on wind energy proj ects last year—Twiddy said he needed to further study the issue. The moratorium’s proponents, including Re publican Sens. Harry Brown and Bill Cook, argued the moratorium is needed while the state studies where wind facilities might harm mili tary operations. Opponents, including Steinburg, argue current permitting reviews already ensure wind farms won’t conflict with the mili tary, and that the moratori um needlessly discourages investment. Twiddy also discussed his approach to education, which he noted is also vital to economic development. • “I’m a huge believer in community colleges,” said Twiddy, a member of the State Board of Community Colleges. • Twiddy said he wants to ensure the district’s commu- fiity colleges maintain strong ties with businesses both in the region and in southeast ern Virginia Twiddy also Said he’s a strong supporter of early college and commu nity colleges’ “Career and College Promise” program that helps students pursue BOB STEINBURG ■ Age: 69 ■ Occupation: Salesman, president of Wolfestein LLC, sports marketing ■ Education: Associate’s degree, 1969, retail business manage ment from Corning Community College, Bachelor’s degree in busi ness administration from Upper' t University, 1990 ■ Military Service: None ■ Prior campaigns: Elected i House District 1 in 2012; re-elected in 2014 and 2016; r ; unsuccessfully for House District 2 seat in 2010 ■ Civic, community affiliations: Pac president, Edenton Emer gency Aid nonprofit: past president, Albemarle-Pamlico Republican Club; active member, St. aul’s Church in Edenton ■ Family: Wife, Marie, two adult sons CLARK TWIDDY ■ Age: 41 ■ Occupation: Director, Twiddy and Company, a rental property management business ■ Education: 1998 graduate of Virginia Military Institute ■ Military service: U.S. Navy, eight years followed by two years reserve duty, including one active year ■ Prior campaigns: Ran for lieutenant governor before switching to Senate District 1 in 2017 ■ Civic, community affiliations: Member, N.C. State Board of Community Colleges; member, board of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, past commander and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10950 ■ Family: Wife, Anna, 2-year-old daughter, Elyse degrees, tuition-free, while still in high school. One of the most press ing educational needs, ac cording to comity officials, is more money for school construction. Twiddy called for more educational invest ment but without tax in creases, and said he would consider supporting ap proval of another statewide bond, similar to the Con nect NC bond that passed in 2016, to provide school funding. Republican lawmakers have been granting teachers raises in recent years. Twid dy said he believes teacher pay in North Carolina is be coming more competitive. He didn’t rule out support ing additional raises, but said the state also needs to look at pay for other state employees, particularly first responders. Twiddy also addressed Steinburg’s criticisms of Twiddy’s campaign dona tions to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper when Cooper was the state’s attorney general. Twiddy said he didn’t believe those donations undermined conservative causes, noting he made donations to nu merous politicians, including Steinburg himself in years past, to cultivate business relationships. “I wrote Roy Cooper two checks, but Bob Stein burg five,” Twiddy said. “At the time I made (the dona tions), I wasn’t thinking po litically.” Twiddy stressed that he disagrees with Cooper’s agenda, but would work to convince him of better poli cies, rather than criticize him. As for why he would be a more effective senator than Steinburg, Twiddy cited his business experience, rela tionships in the district and ability to work in a biparti san, collaborative way. He also said he enjoys support from Senate Republicans, meaning he would have “good relationships from day one in the Senate.” Bob Steinburg Steinburg, a salesman and lifelong Republican, says he is more qualified that Twiddy to serve as sen ator. He already has strong relationships with officials throughout the district, and has offered years of diligent service in his House district, he said Friday. “I have a good feeling for where we were, where we are now, and where we’re going,” Steinburg said. “My greatest asset is I’m already going to hit the ground run ning.” Through tax and regula tory reforms over the years, Steinburg said he and other lawmakers have greatly im proved the state’s business climate. North Carolina is among the best states to do business in, according to Forbes magazine, Stein burg said. He also noted the region is benefiting from in clusion in the Foreign-Trade Zone around Virginia’s ports, an initiative Steinburg promoted in the House. Steinburg also defended his support of financial incen tives or subsidies for busi nesses. Steinburg conceded they are “distasteful” to con servatives, but said every state now lias to offer incen tives to attract mqjor busi ness investment and needed jobs. “We’re either going to be in the game, or we’re go ing to be out of the game,” Steinburg said. He also claims Twiddy has a “shallow perspective” on incentives and subsidies, which, in the case of mqjor employers, attract addition al businesses while support ing current ones. As for his support for re newable energy, Steinburg said the only “subsidy” pro vided now to renewable energy companies is the Re newable Energy Portfolio Standard that requires utili ties to generate a portion of their power through renew ables. He said Duke Energy and fossil fuel industries en joy far greater subsidies. “It’s a big misnomer that renewable energy receives incentives and no one else does,” Steinburg said. On education, Steinburg also supports certain ad ditional investments. like Twiddy, he didn’t rule out an other state bond for school construction. The state may be able to support the addi tional debt, he said. However, Steinburg said his priority is to restore capital funding to counties through the NC Education Lottery. Lawmakers over the years have diverted lot tery proceeds from capital projects. Lawmakers took steps last year to start re storing the money. Steinburg also said the state needs to change how its schools are funded. Funding based on “average daily membership” worked when schools had stable enrollment, Steinburg said. Now, though, it’s not doing enough for rural schools that aren’t seeing major growth like urban ones are, he said. Steinburg also said teach ers still need more raises, but the state also had an obligation to other state em ployees, such a correctional officers and highway patrol men he said are greatly un derpaid. Steinburg said he stands by his criticisms of Twiddy’s donations to Cooper, as well as his Twiddy’s donations to Marc Basnight when he was still an influential Democrat ic leader in the Senate. Those donations supported Cooper and Basnight in opposing Re publican policies and their efforts to retake the General Assembly, Steinburg claims. Steinburg also claims Twiddy is running for of fice without a clear vision or purpose — “He doesn’t know what he’s for,” Stein burg said. As for Twiddy’s support from Republican sena tors, including Brown and Cook, Steinburg called that a “weak argument” to elect Twiddy. He also alleged Twiddy would be a “rubber stamp” for Brown’s policies and even easily manipulated by lobbyists. Twiddy said Thursday he’s declined to criticize Steinburg, and wants to run a positive campaign. VOTING Continued from 2 said James’ name will still be on the May ballot, but a Vote for him won’t count. “It’s too late to take him off (the ballot),” Hunter said. The ballots were print ed more than two weeks ago and the decision on James didn’t happen until April 12. The decision to eliminate James from the race means Washington County Com missioner Cole Phelps, will be the presumed winner of the Democratic primary for the 11-county Senate Dis trict 1 seat. Phelps will face either Rep. Bob Steinburg, R- Chowan or Clark Twiddy, a Dare County businessman, in the general election. The two Republicans are on the May 8 ballot. There is no in cumbent in the Senate race because new district maps excluded sitting Senator Bill Cook. • ■ There are races both Re publicans and unaffiliated voters can vote for like the Congressional race. Republican Congress man Walter Jones is being challenged by Republicans Phil Law and Scott Dacey for the District 3 Seat. The winner of the GOP primary in May will be presumed to be the winner of the seat since no Democrats or oth ers have filed to run. There is also a race next month for the Republican MORE INFO ■ Voters voting in person are entitled to assistance by an election official, or, if assistance is needed due to disability or illiteracy, by a qualified person of their choice. Voting sites are accessible to all voters. Curbside voting is available for voters who are not able to enter voting sites. For ad ditional information, please call the elections office at 426-5598 nomination for the N.C. House District 1 seat. Stein burg had held the seat, but he’s running for Senate. The GOP challengers for the House seat are Can- dice Hunter of Perquimans County and Eddy Goodwin of Chowan County. Hunter has never run for public of fice before. Goodwin held a seat on the Chowan County Commission in 2008-12 and ran unsuccessfully for N.C. Secretary of State in 2012. The Republican winner in May will take on Demo crat Ron Wesson, a Bertie County commissioner, in the November general elec tion. The rest of the Perqui mans County races will be decided in November. Incumbent Commis sioners Wallace Nelson, a Republican, and Fondella Leigh, a Democrat, filed, as did Alan Lennon, who’s running in November as a Libertarian. Like the school board race, there are three people running for there seats so short of a huge write-in vote, all three should win. Two years ago, Lennon ran for a county commis sion seat as a Republican and lost. Sheriff Shelby White, a Democrat, will face a chal lenge from Republican Jim Bray in November. White was appointed to the job and will be running for the first time. Bray is a retired N.C. Highway Patrolman who is also seeking his first election win. Todd Tilley is running unopposed for re-election to his job as clerk of Supe rior Court. One-stop early voting will be open from 8 a.m. Thurs day until 1 p.m. on May 5. The hours are as follows: April 19-May 2, 8 am. until 5 p.m., May 3-4, 8 am. until 7 p.m and May 5, 9 am. un til 1 p.m. One-stop early voting will be held at the Perquimans County Board of Elections office 601 S. Edenton Road St. in Hertford. The primary will be May 8. The precinct of West Hertford has been changed from the Hertford Gram mar School to Louise’s Event Center, 1132 Don Juan Road. Voters in the West Hert ford precinct who present to vote on Election Day must now report to Louise’s Event Center. Voting will no longer be held at the Hert ford Grammar School. Polls will be open from 6:30 am. to 7:30 p.m. on the day of the election May 8. The election canvass will be held in the Perquimans County Board of Elections office at 11 am. on May 18. Absentee voting by mail is available. Requests for an absentee ballot must be made on an absentee re quest form (available at nc- sbe.gov and at the county board of elections office), and must be returned to the Perquimans County Board of Elections office by May 1 at 5 p.m. Absentee voting requires the voter to complete an application on the return envelope that must be wit nessed by two qualified persons or a notary public. Completed absentee bal lots must be returned to the board of elections by 5 p.m. on election day (bal lots received by mail after this time will be considered timely if they are received within three business days and postmarked on or be fore Election Day). Voters may receive assistance vot ing a mail-in absentee bal lot from a qualified person of their choice. All persons who are reg istered to vote with Perqui mans County may vote in this election. Persons who are not already registered to vote in the county must register by Friday, April 13 to be eligible to vote in this election. Voters who are not registered in the county by that deadline may register and vote dur ing one stop early voting only, and will be required to provide documentation of their identity and resi dence. Voters who wish to change party affiliation or who have changed name or address must do so by the registration deadline. Voters who fail to timely make a change in name or address in the county must update the informa tion when presenting to vote and may be required to vote a provisional ballot. Because this is a primary election, voters will be re quired to vote the ballot Got Gutters? ^ Protect What You Love! Not having Gutters Can Caus mold in crawlspaces. 338-3445 SEAMLESS www.abcseamlessnc.com Family dwtistky with a gentle and caring touch Yiping fang, ovs Family • Cosmetic • General Dentistry Same Day Emergency Care Insurance Filed for your Convenience 212 Ainsley Avenue Hertford, NC 252-426-5585 All Major Credit Cards & Care Credit Accepted of the party they are regis tered as. Unaffiliated vot ers may choose their ballot when they present to vote. To check your voter regis tration, please visit www. ncsbe.gov or call the Board of Elections office. Voters voting in person are entitled to assistance by an election official, or, if assistance is needed due to disability or illiteracy, by a qualified person of then- choice. Voting sites are ac cessible to all voters. Curb side voting is available for voters who are not able to enter voting sites. For ad ditional information, please call the elections office at 426-5598 ABC Seamless Gutters protect Your Home from damage caused by not having gutters! «MK»8MW' • insect infestation ^c ^o^ • landscaping erosion r * gutter consultation • cracked foundations Read more Perquimans news and feature stories online at DailyAdvance. com... At the home page, mouse over the News link and select Perquimans THE PERQUIMANS COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW PERQUIMANS Weekly (USPS428-080) Vol. 86 No. 16 Published each Wednesday. The Perquimans County Board of Commissioners will convene as the Board of Equalization and Review. The purpose of this meeting is to hear from all citizens who request a hearing on property tax assessments. Appeals will be received by the Perquimans County Tax Department. The Board of Equalization and Review will meet May 7, 2018. You must have an appointment to appear at this meeting. Appointments may be arranged by contacting the County Assessor on or before April 30, 2018. Our office hours are 8:00-5:00, Monday- Friday. Telephone numbers are 252-426-7010 or 252-426-5564. Expected adjournment date: June 4, 2018 Tax Administrator and Clerk to the Perquimans County Board of Equalization and Review Bill Jennings A publication of Cooke Communications North Carolina, LLC Established 1934 111 W. Market St., Hertford, NC 27944 Mike Goodman Publisher Peter Williams News Editor Bev Alexander Advertising Representative Phone 252-426-5728 • Fax 252-426-4625 Email: perquimansweekly @ ncweeklies.com Subscription Rates In Daily Advance home delivery area $26.25* All other continental U.S $32.50* *Plus applicable sales tax. Activation fee of $1.99 will be collected with all new subscriptions. Deactivation fees may apply for early cancellation. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Perquimans Weekly, Hertford, NC 27944