Commissioners, sheriff among early candidates filing in Pamlico

Pamlico filings

Candidates:

County commissioners:

At Large (2 seats): Ann Holton, Paul Delamar III

District 3:  Jimmy Spain

District 4: Carl Ollison

Sheriff: Bill Sawyer Jr.

Clerk of Superior Court: Steven Hollowell

BAYBORO — Four incumbent Pamlico County commissioners and the sheriff — all Democrats — were first in line to file for re-election Monday at the Pamlico County Courthouse.

Commissioners Ann Holton and Paul Delamar III filed as at-large candidates, while Jimmy Spain of Stonewall seeks re-election to District 3 and Carl Ollison seeks to extend his 16 years on the board from District 4.

Sheriff Billy Sawyer Jr., a Democrat, will be seeking his third term as the top county law enforcement officer. Sawyer said he thinks his department has done a good job battling crime and drugs in the county, and set up several community watch programs. He is also involved with two new drug task forces.

Later Monday afternoon, Steven Hollowell, the incumbent clerk of Superior Court, filed for re-election. Hollowell is a Democrat.

All four commissioners indicated they would run on their past records, with a need to deal with the current economy in the future. The incumbents all listed new building projects such as the human services building, law enforcement center and cafeteria at the high school, along with major water improvements.

Delamar, the current Board of Commissioners chairman, took office as an appointee in early 2006, replacing Bill Moore, who had pleaded guilty to felony charges in connection with an illegal dredging operation by the state ferry division.

Delamar was elected later that year. He lives in Oriental, with a law practice in Bayboro.

“There are some things that the board has started that we been a part of on behalf of the county that I would like to see finished,” he said. “Some are tangible projects and some are just the way county government works and that it is responsive to people.”

He calls the ongoing improvement of the water department a top priority.

“I think we are a long way down that road, but there are some fairly big projects that we still have on the table, in different areas of the county,” he said.  He pointed to the current water improvement plans in the Minnesott Beach and Arapahoe area, and the projected improvements in the northern section of the county in the Mesic and Vandemere areas.

“We’re trying to increase (water) pressure, but the other thing is the quality of the water,” he added.  “I’d like for us to take that next step and get the water to the point where people are proud of their water system and they feel like the money they spend on their water bill every month is money well spent.”

Holton, a retired director of the county’s Senior Services, has also filled in as interim county manager on several occasions.

“I think my track record shows we have done some positive things for the county, especially in terms of funding for the schools,” she said. “Teacher supplements have increased significantly ($700 to $1,500 annually) and we’ve been able to build a new cafeteria for the high school, and fund technology. And, the new law enforcement center has resulted in safer working conditions for our employees.”

Spain will be completing two terms on the board this year, and before that he served several terms as a Stonewall town commissioner.

 “I want to hold control on our budget,” said Spain. “I’d like to see us keep taxes low. Don’t put any more on the backs of the taxpayers. They can’t afford it right now. We need to look at some spending issues and cut back anything that we can with without too much pain and hurt.”

He said commissioners have a responsibility to spend tax dollars wisely.

 “I know a lot of people who are not as fortunate as you and me,” he added. “And somebody’s got to look out for those people, and I’ve always tried to do that.”

Ollison has been on the board for four terms and he said wanted to see projects such as water system improvements stay on track.

“I want to continue to work on things we have gotten started,” he said. “And, we want to keep the taxes and the fees low,” he said.

There are also three school board seats available this year, seats held by Beatrice Mayes, Patricia Cross and Reginald Hawkins.

The filing period continues until noon Feb. 26. If a primary is needed for partisan races, it will be held May 4, the same date as the nonpartisan school board election.

 Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com.