Lake Norman Publications

Republican primary to narrow field for Iredell County Board of Commissioners


Three Iredell County Board of Commissioners seats will be filled in November. A May 17 primary features 10 Republicans, with the top three advancing to November’s ballot with Democrats Michelle Goree and Frank Johnson.

The primary candidates, with profiles listed alphabetically, were asked to provide an introduction and summary of their campaigns:

Bobish

Laketha Bobish

Iredell County is great, but I know that it can be the best! The county needs elected officials that are leaders with qualifications, education, and experience to get the job done. Obtaining my master’s degree in Public Policy Administration, having my research published, and receiving my certification in nonprofit management has allowed me to acquire skills that set me apart from other candidates.

One responsibility that County Commissioners have is to formulate policy regarding the needs of the county and its citizens. As of late it seems there is a lack of sound common sense policies, and I would like to ensure constituents that I represent them according to the Constitution of the United States, and every word written in it to preserve our society. There is also a great need for balanced residential growth, and the growth of economic development by way of job creation, implementation of economic incentives that drive businesses to come here and thrive, as well as balanced taxes within municipalities.

We need to balance residential development with economic growth so that we remain a suburbanized rural area, not an urban area of Charlotte. Funding for schools must go toward facilities and programs that benefit our future generations and help prepare them for real life; whether they go to college or join the workforce. We must equip our future generations with the tools they need to be on track toward success in life and one day take the torch of leadership in this county.

Carver

Richard Todd Carver

My Name is Richard Todd Carver. I am from Mooresville. I have lived in Iredell County my entire life except when I left to serve in the US Air Force. When I returned home from the service I went to Mitchell Community College for Basic Law Enforcement Training. When I graduated I went to work for the Mooresville PD. In 2000, I transferred over to the Sheriff’s Office and worked in the community policing unit. I retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2020 as the Patrol Division Major and went to work for Mitchell College, leading the BLET program.

I am currently serving as the Chairman of the Iredell-Statesville’s Board of Education. I have dedicated my life to serving my community. I am married to my wife Tracie, and have two grown children.

I believe in being an advocate for responsible use of our tax money. We want our county government to be able to solve problems and provide services to the citizens. Making smart choices about our resources is one of the most important decisions commissioners make. I believe we need a representative on the Board of Commissioners from the Mooresville area and look forward to the chance to continue my service if selected.

 

Coleman

Richard Coleman

My name is Richard Coleman and I am running for Iredell County commissioner. I am a Christian Conservative, husband, father and small business owner in Iredell County. I believe in traditional family values, and loving your neighbor as yourself should be the rule rather than the exception.

Our law enforcement, first responders and military should be respected in the highest possible regard. Furthermore, education should be about the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic, not theory or indoctrination. We are called to take care of our household first and Iredell is our home.

It is my goal as a commissioner to cultivate a county where we have high paying jobs for our citizens, have the lowest possible taxes, and we recruit/retain our people through competitive compensation and proper benefits packages in hopes of providing the highest customer service for the people of Iredell County.

Thank you in advance for your support and God bless.

 

Connolly

Bert Connolly

Hometown: Union Grove; Age: 48

The key issues are growth and the need for common sense limited government.  

We must have the proper balance of growth with that being industrial, commercial and residential to be able to support a low county tax rate. Our growth plan is out of control, just look at the traffic on our roadways. Growth needs to be responsible, reasonable and protect individuals property rights while at the same time supporting the tax base to be able to provide top tier services at a cost we can all afford.

The need for common sense limited government is another key reason why I’m running. Being the Chief Deputy of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, I know it is  imperative to protect our individual rights, protection of the second amendment and to protect our way of life.

We need to follow the Constitution and not some political agenda.

Haynes

Cindy Haynes

Hometown: Statesville; Age: 61

I have lived in Iredell County all of my life. I attended schools here…my daughters attended schools here. I’ve worked here…attend church here. Last June, I retired from 40-plus years of nursing (serving veterans at the VA Hospital; serving students in I-SS as the Exceptional Children’s school nurse; and for the last 11 years investigating resident abuse and neglect in state-licensed facilities). I tell you this because I will be able to serve Iredell County as a full-time commissioner.

I have various experience with regards to governmental issues. As a state employee, there were policies and protocols to learn and follow to ensure my work as a civil servant was done with integrity and fidelity. My investigations were subject to appeal with the potential for follow-up in court. Conducting an investigation as a neutral and unbiased party was imperative for a fair outcome. Another experience dealing in governmental issues includes representing District 3 on the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education. I was very familiar with its policies and procedures, as well as N.C. General Statutes governing school business. It’s important to be available to the people you are elected to serve to gain insight into their opinions and give feedback to fellow board/commission members and the county manager.

Challenges facing our county include growth and development and how we guide this in the right direction. We will need to collaborate with our representatives at the state level. Another challenge is the recent assessment of the county’s Emergency Communications’ Center.

A candidate for one one of the highest elected offices in the county must have a record of civic and community involvement. In closing, I have the experience, the education, the knowledge, the passion and love for our county and a proven record of success.

Houpe

Gene Houpe

Statesville

I have been honored to serve you as an Iredell County Commissioner in my first three terms and am now seeking my fourth term. My platform is simple. I want to continue providing you with the top quality services you deserve, while keeping your tax rate as the lowest of any surrounding county in the region. To do this, we must continue to keep our growth balanced. By attracting business and industry to Iredell, we are providing you with more options for employment and better salaries.

I will continue to provide for our schools, support the Sheriff in keeping our communities safe, ensure that our emergency services are second to none, and will work tirelessly to provide for the diverse needs of this entire county. I am the elected District 12 Director of the NC Association of County Commissioners, representing eight counties. As your Representative, I have been able to advocate for the needs of Iredell County at the state and federal level. I also serve on the airport commission. Our airport is a major asset. I have a great working relationship with other elected officials from the local level, to the state and federal level. I have advocated with them for millions of dollars in grant funding for law enforcement, schools, the airport and DOT projects. Above all, I work for you. I pride myself in being accessible to the residents of this county to listen, to understand your needs, and to fight for what is important to you. 

I am dedicated to making sure that Iredell County is a place where we can all live, work and raise our families. My experience and leadership is more important than ever. With your continued support, I will work hard to keep Iredell County strong and prosperous.

Matthews

Angela Wokatsch Matthews

Certified Public Accountant

Statesville (lifelong resident of Iredell County)

Iredell County is in need of qualified elected officials. We have consistently elected many who did not possess the education nor experience to effectively govern our county. As a CPA, I have over 23 years of financial experience with both for profit businesses, as well as many local non profit entities here in Iredell. Keeping our local taxes low is important to me. I understand the tax system and how to operate our county budget efficiently, while curbing wasteful spending. Voluntary taxes, rather than mandatory property and sales taxes, are options that very few understand. I can bring these types of alternatives to our board.

Additional revenue streams and available grants are vital to all governmental agencies. Again, I bring many years of experience developing solutions to these problems. Transparency and accountability are areas we need to focus on. My experience will allow this board to answer the tough questions taxpayers and residents have about where their hard earned dollars are being spent. Iredell County is our home and it is crucial that we work together for the benefit of the entire county and ALL who live here. Please exercise your constitutional right to vote and I hope to have your support on May 17.

Payne

Larry Payne

Hometown: Hays; Age: 44

I was born and raised in North Carolina. I proudly call Iredell home, I live in Mooresville with my beautiful bride and our two children. I have worked in Iredell since the early 2000s. I own and operate both my businesses, Larry W. Payne Insurance Agency and Gold Leaf Cigar Lounge, out of Mooresville.

I graduated from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte with a degree in Criminal Justice and Computer Engineering before beginning a career in security and investigations. I worked in security and investigations for 16 years before making a career change to the insurance industry. In 2018, I was able to achieve my dream of opening a cigar lounge, which has grown and has become a staple of the local community.

I have seen part of Iredell prosper, while other parts suffer. We must bring the community leaders together to help the whole county thrive. We must be investing in our county’s infrastructure, building our economic resources for better business development, as well as we must be active in taking care of our emergency responders and law enforcement officers.

Stroud

Brad J Stroud

I am a native of and lifelong resident of Iredell County with more than 40 years of public service, 20 plus years of service in the United States Army and 20 plus years of service as  Veteran Services Director retired on 30 December 2021. I have never held an elected political position. 

A year ago I was planning to retire from public work and just run a small farm raising Black Angus Cattle. But I realized that I was still being called to serve, to try to make my community better, stronger, safer. I, as most of you, have struggled to keep and maintain some semblance of normalcy in our vastly changed world. I have children and grandchildren currently in the Iredell Statesville School system at all three levels (elementary, middle and high school). I have faced the same frustrations related to the issues and controversies of our times. 

We as a county like our nation have polarizing differences. These issues are complex. We need leadership that is willing to consider all perspectives and points of view and willing to seek guidance, do research and compare viable options to best solve the issues. Not all issues can simply be addressed and fixed by county commissioners or municipal Leaders. Many of these issues will require involvement with state and federal agencies. I am running for County Commissioner to ensure that the county provides the essential services citizens must have and do it as effectively and efficiently as humanly possible, while keeping taxes as low as possible and keeping government as small as possible. 

I am fully retired and have the time, energy and ability to serve Iredell County residents with the candor, courage and commitment it takes to represent all Iredell County residents 

 

Blake Palmer

Blake Palmer is listed on the primary ballot, but has withdrawn from the race and opted not to participate in the article.

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