County Commission Race, Round 1:
“Do you agree on the present funding for projects that are jointly funded for the city and the county and the way it is done?”
Brummit, the first to respond, said that it was originally done because a greater number of kids from the city participated in those programs. He said now we need to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. He said that now there needs to be an equitable distribution.
Boyd answered that the county and city worked jointly over the years to reduce overhead. He said that the library, 911, and so forth were examples of that. He said that the funding arrangements were being looked at, and that it was an ongoing process.
Hester said that joint funding is to save money. He said that more joint bills are needed. He suggested combining Human Resource directors and zoning enforcement and joining departments together.
Candidate Hughes used the library as an example. He said he can’t think of a single thing that the city and county jointly fund that the city taxpayer does not pay double. Hughes said that it was “totally unfair to the city taxpayer”.
Vance County Sheriff’s Race, Round 1:
“If elected to the office of Sheriff, how will you assure the citizens of your dedication and loyalty to the community at large and not to any particular individual or group?”
Hoyle, responding first, said that he does not care who you are.
“If you break the law, I’m gonna lock you up,” he said.
He stated emphatically that he would go after each criminal no matter who they are.
White stated that he has already assured citizens of his dedication and loyalty. He gave his bona fides as a Marine and through the ranks as a North Carolina State Trooper and told the audience that his record speaks for itself.
The Democratic nominee assured the audience that he has not accomplished the things that he has by catering to race and that he does not look at race or class. He urged voters to take his resume alongside that of his opponent.
North Carolina Senate District 7 Race, Round 1:
“The minimum wage was increased in the last session of the General Assembly. Was that a good move, one? Two, do you support it?”
Senator Berger responded in the affirmative, stating that the increasing of the minimum wage was indicative of the Assembly’s tackling of tough issues. He said that people are sick of what’s going on in Washington. He said they are tired of partisanship and bickering.
He said that North Carolina was one of only three states to increase the minimum wage.
Berger said that his opponent believes in free market wages. He claimed that Stires believes that if an employer wants to pay a worker the same as what they are paid in Mexico, they should be allowed to.
He cited this as a critical difference between himself and Stires.
The senator reiterated that he is proud of having been part of the legislature that raised minimum wage, gave teachers an 8% pay raise, and gave state employees their highest pay raise in sixteen years.
Stires responded that the minimum wage is an admission by the Legislature that their economic plans and proposals have failed. He said when the wage is propped up, then it is an indication that the market is not sufficiently strong to require workers to receive more than that.
He challenged the audience to go to Wal-Mart or McDonald’s and find “Mexican wages”. He said that when there is a demand, mimimum wage is not an issue. He said state economic policy should be based on good roads, good schools, and good infrastructure so companies will want to come here.
He said the economy is also hurt when advantages are traded off between counties. He said other counties are hurt by this.
Listen to Audience Questions, Round 1 here.