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Candidates gather in Millboro for forum
BY GINA HAMILTON • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
 | | A large group of candidates seeking election to Bath County offices gather at Millboro Elementary School to participate in a forum last Thursday, Oct. 18, organized by the county Republican and Democratic committees. The candidates, and the positions they seek, are, back row from left: Ed Ryder, school board; Carol Reese Hardbarger, board of supervisors for Millboro District; Frank Pritt Jr., sheriff; Leta Norfleet, commissioner of revenue; Jay Bryan, sheriff; Mike Spurgeon, clerk of court; David Bratton, sheriff; John Kershner Jr., clerk of court; and David Peters, director of the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District. Front, from left: Kirby Buzzard, sheriff; Joy Brinkley, clerk of court; Larry Norfleet, sheriff; Kaye May, school board; Mary Blankenship, treasurer; Joyce Hevener, school board; Bonnie Robertson, treasurer; Sandra Williams, treasurer; Krystal Criser, school board; Noel "Tim" Dunnagin, sheriff; Dreama Burns, school board, and John Trees, who attended as a member of the board of supervisors. (Recorder photo by Gina Hamilton) |
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MILLBORO - Twenty people seeking county and school offices participated in a candidates' forum at the elementary school last Thursday, Oct. 18, organized by the Republican and Democratic committees of Bath County. Each candidate had the opportunity to provide a five-minute overview of experience and background, and another five minutes to answer questions from the audience.
Sheriffs' candidates present included Frank Pritt Jr., Larry Norfleet, Noel "Tim" Dunnagan, Kirby Buzzard, Jay Bryan, and David Bratton.
Residents questioned the candidates on two major issues: establishing a substation in Millboro for the sheriff's office to reduce the response time to local calls, and how to address the drug problem in the county.
Candidate consensus was that, while it was a good idea, establishing a substation would not be financially feasible. Each said they would instead focus on using officers' time effectively, increase patrols county-wide for greater visibility, and most were in favor of using radar.
On drug/substance abuse, residents said this was a big problem in the county, including at the high school. Pritt said, "If everyone does their job (in the sheriff's office), the problem should be eliminated. Oftentimes, the user is the abuser and shares it with friends."
Norfleet wants to see the use of a K-9 officer in schools. He noted, however, that students seem to know whenever the dog will be used and the element of surprise needs to be established. He said also that older residents, especially, should be advised about substance abuse, because "kids are getting into their pills."
Dunnagan said, "We do have a drug problem." He said the use of a drug dog would be a great tool, as well as having a full-time investigator in the county. "We're solving about 90 percent of crimes now; we're doing our best," he said.
Buzzard said he "has zero tolerance against drugs." He favors random drug tests for all students, if that can be approved. "As far as the small guy, it takes users to make dealers," he said.
"We definitely have drugs in the county," Bryan said. He wants to implement use of a K-9 dog, noting it's "absolutely necessary for schools and road checks." He also advocates programs in schools on the harmful effects of drugs, especially prescription drugs by those they are not prescribed for.
Bratton said about substance abuse, "I want to stop it the first time."
Other candidates
Carol Reese Hardbarger attended as a supervisors' candidate; she seeks a seat representing the Millboro District.
She said it was important that people living on "our side of the mountain" have their wants and needs adequately expressed. She is in favor of establishing a police department substation. "Here, we can wait two hours for response to a call," she said. Hardbarger also said economic development was a serious issue. "We need a mechanism to attract the small company to employ 10 to 25 people," she explained, noting supervisors need to be proactive and plan ahead for needs in the eastern part of the county.
For school board, candidate Krystal Criser said she's passionate about the No Child Left Behind law and wants to see safety in the schools. "It seems our older kids are running our school system. We need teachers and administrators to take charge," she said.
School board candidate Joyce Hevener got a chuckle when, as a Burnsville resident, she said she lived "on neither side of the mountain." She has seen her children, and now her grandchildren, go through the local schools. "Children are our No. 1 asset," she said, noting she'd like to see teachers have more input, and more time spent on art and music. "And people want to keep the sports program going," she said. She advocates working with parents to make sure children behave in school.
School board incumbent Ed Ryder is unopposed. "We must continue to pressure our state and federal government to pay their fair share for mandates so there's less of a burden on our taxpayers," he told those gathered.
Dreama Burns, who is also running for school board, said she wants to add another "R: to the basics: Responsibility. "Your children need to come to school prepared (to learn)," she said. She wants to emphasize technical skills at the vocational center and look at causes of discipline problems, as well as get parents involved, maybe with oneon one meetings with board members who would then report back to the whole board.
School board candidate Kaye May said, "We need to continue to recruit and retain qualified staff." She also supports vocational education and said, "Trade skills and health care workers are needed for the future." As to discipline, she said, "Who has the most responsibility? It starts with the parents." She said children don't respect themselves or others. "It starts at home when children are young, not when they're 15," May said.
Candidates seeking the position of clerk of the court who attended included Joy Brinkley, John Kershner Jr., and Michael Spurgeon.
Brinkley provided an overview of the clerk's responsibilities. She has worked in a law office for 17 years.
Kershner, a Vietnam veteran who has worked at Mead Westvaco for 24 years, said he has taken many courses of study that have prepared him for the position. He would like to see extended hours at the courthouse.
Spurgeon, who spent 22 years in the Air Force, noted his experience in team building to accomplish duties and responsibilities. Now working at the county's Department of Social Services, he is also a CPR instructor and serves on the rescue squad. He said he's proven he has the capacity to serve the county's citizens.
Three candidates are vying for the position of treasurer also attended: Bonnie Robinson, Mary Blankenship, and Sandra Williams.
Robinson said she has been treasurer at her church for eight years, worked as secretary at an insurance agency for 13 years, and as secretary at the high school. Other work has included coordinating
and working with special education students, in the computer
lab at Valley Elementary School, and at the county recreation department.
Blankenship said there are about 500 duties mandated by the state code the treasurer has to follow, including budgets, office management and personnel. She worked as deputy treasurer from 1969-88 and was then elected treasurer.
Williams is a teacher at Valley Elementary School; she also has four years of banking experience. She said she would strive to provide honesty and professionalism and lead the county to a strong financial position.
Leta Norfleet is running unopposed for commissioner of revenue. She has been acting commissioner for almost eight years and deputy commissioner since 1976. Noting she loves her job, Norfleet said, "There is no greater reward than to give people honest answers. My dream is to bring the office into the 21st century (with technology)." She said work is continuing on upgrading property maps, which have not been updated since the 1970s. "We're about 60 percent there," she said.
David Peters is unopposed for the position of director with the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District for Bath, Highland and Alleghany counties. Noting he's what's called "a hobby farmer," Peters said he does have some background in conservation. "Training for this job comes if you get it, not before," he said.
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