Mayoral candidate profiles

Editor's Note: With the city election set for Nov. 3, the Havelock News had all four candidates for mayor  answer the same basic questions for these profiles. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Charles "Chuck" Barnard

Age: 68

Career: Served in the Marine Corps for 30 years, worked at Havelock’s recreation department for 14 1/2 years, eventually working up to recreation director.

Civic or professional organizations: Former member of the Havelock-Cherry Point Rotary Club, former chairman of the Havelock Historical Society.

 Why are you running?

"Well I just think that the city needs to use a little more common sense and restraint in their spending especially during the time when the country is in a recession. And I kind of hate to bring out figures, but the debt service in the city is $14 million with a yearly payment of this debt at over $1.2 million."

 What is your goal in the next four years?

"To decrease the debt and ensure growth and infrastructure projects are controlled and affordable." 

What is your biggest campaign issue?

"Taxes/Spending. All additional money out of the citizen’s pockets, i.e. trash fees, recycling fees, increases in water and sewer costs — our taxes and these fees keep going up. We just need to control these items."

 What is the biggest difference between you and your opponents?

"The major difference is I am a pay-as-you-go individual whenever possible. Why finance little items when you have cash on hand?"

Samuel A. Colly Jr.  

Age: 46

Career: Machinist at Fleet Readiness Center East

Civic or professional organizations: Formerly a member of the Jaycees, currently a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

Why are you running?

"The biggest thing is I want to see is Havelock grow more toward the 21st century."

What is your goal in the next four years?

"I want to see Havelock progressively grow. With me working on the base I’m not privy to all the information, but some filters down, and I know we are about to grow pretty big over on that base. My goal would be to see Havelock move toward the 21st century."

What is your biggest campaign issue?

"My biggest campaign issue is to see quicker decisions made on the board. It seems like a lot of things are being held up, like the sign issue. They just seem to never get anything resolved on it. I just want to see quicker decisions made on the board."

What is the biggest difference between you and your opponents?

"Other than lack of experience, I just feel I can reach out to the working man. I feel like I’m on board their ship more than any other candidate."

Matthew L. "Sugarbear" Jones

Age: 58

Career: Served in Marine Corps for nine years, working civil service for 29 years, including present position in the cable manufacturing shop at Fleet Readiness Center East, is also a notary public

Civic or professional organizations: Southeastern Motorcycle Association, junior governor and past governor at the Havelock Moose Lodge, N.C. Community Service Board for the Moose Lodge, Government Relations Board Chairman for the Havelock Moose Lodge.

Why are you running?

"I’m running because we need new faces and new ideas thinking out of the box. We need new fresh perspectives to city government and to work closer to the people of Havelock so their voices can be heard and to express the views of not only some of the people of Havelock but all of the people of Havelock."

What is your goal in the next four years?

"My goal is to make Havelock a more friendly place to come for the people and their families and for the businesses. And to be more in tune with the small businesses that we have, and not to hinder them but to help them in any way that city government can. I want to stay in tune with the senior citizens of Havelock. Also, I want to try to be more compassionate and willing to help the teenagers of Havelock find a place to go and things to do and try to present a more family oriented atmosphere in Havelock. We have a lot of senior citizens in Havelock that have a lot of experience. I would like to get them to help the youth and teenagers by sharing their experiences and knowledge with them."

What is your biggest campaign issue?

"The campaign issues are to provide a fresh and new voice in government that will help the people, the businesses by keeping them informed on all government related issues and new technologies and not go and vote on issues without researching them, and understanding the ramifications of them.

"The other thing is to work on the sewage capacity and infrastructure to entice more businesses to Havelock. To try to fill the industrial park out there with new businesses. And to fill a lot of these empty buildings we have in Havelock with new businesses. By doing this, it would make Havelock more diversified and to entice new businesses."

What is the biggest difference between you and your opponents?

"I am more friendly and more people orientated, easy to approach, willing to listen. And, bring you comments and concerns to the board. I don’t get angry when approached because I might not agree with what you are saying because we have differences and opinions on any issue. I will give everyone’s comments on issues and questions they may have the utmost consideration. I may not get to give you the answer you want, but I will get you the correct answer to the questions or comments you have made.

"I would represent every citizen of Havelock and not violate their trust in me and keep them informed on all government issues that come before the board, and I will never forget the citizens of Havelock that elected me to represent them and the reason why I am serving in government is for the people. I will never forget who elected me by not respecting their wishes. I will never forget those who elected me and why.

"I will be honest, fair and compassionate to all the citizens of Havelock. I have no hidden agenda except for Havelock to be fruitful, prosperous and to be citizen orientated."

Jimmy Sanders

Age: 62

Career: Served in the Air Force for eight years, worked as logistics manager at what is now Fleet Readiness Center East

Civic or professional organizations: Jaycees, member of Allies for Cherry Point Tomorrow, Babe Ruth Baseball district commissioner, past president of the Craven County Firemen’s Association, past president of the Havelock High School Band Boosters, past president of the Havelock Little League, served as manager or coach for 20 years in the league, served on the N.C. Fire Commission, served on statewide committees of the League of Municipalities, rescue squad, fire department, volunteer fire chief, umpire for youth baseball for over 20 years, active member of Cherry Point United Methodist Church, president of the men’s club at the church, chairman of the administrative council of the church

Why are you running?

"I’m running because I feel like I can get things done. I know how the system operates and I have over the years, created lots of friendships with other levels of government, and therefore I feel I have a fairly unique ability to get things accomplished.

"And, the biggest thing is I get a lot of personal satisfaction out of seeing positive things come to pass in Havelock, and a for instance would be the recreation center, or the Wal-mart in town, the tourist center or Britthaven. Those are some of the things that I have had a positive input in."

What is your goal in the next four years?

"What I would like for us to have done is for us to have addressed our sewer needs. That’s one of the more pressing issues we have. I would like to see a continuation of the commercial growth that has been spurred by Wal-mart, such things as the Freedom Shoppes and the restaurant Mushashi. Hams is a very positive thing, the continued growth in commercial establishments brought on by Wal-mart.

"I would like to be there to welcome the F-18 squadrons when they come. And I want to be a part of continuing to ensure that the F-35s come here and to ensure that Cherry Point is secure and FRC East is secure.

"We’re trying to establish the recreation presence on the west end of town. We are working on a new service area for our customers at City Hall. We want to continue to work on customer service. We’ve always tried to get all of our employees to look at matters from the customer’s point of view. I want to see us to get into the new fire station, see the new fire engine, our new paramedics on board, and I just want to be a part of it."

What is your biggest campaign issue?

"I guess my biggest issue would be don’t be complacent and don’t take things for granted and listen to the voters, but the point is most good things that happen happen because of a lot of hard work. They don’t just fall in you lap. I want the voters to know it takes lots of hard work. I have demonstrated over 35 years a willingness to work for the city of Havelock."

What is the biggest difference between you and your opponents?

"I have a track record. There‘s no question what I might do. I’m in it for the long haul. I’ve proven that over 35 years. I have the experience. I have the desire. All I need is the support of the voters on Nov. 3 to allow me to continue for four more years to do the work that I have been doing.

"I know that I have experience being elected to office and being voted out of office. Being voted out of office can be a very humbling experience, but it is also a very educational experience. I know the power rests with the people and the people are who I serve."