Our local politics are a mess too.  Even though I have never had any doubt

about whom I plan to vote for for President (McCain/Palin of course), I have had

to do serious looking at the local candidates.

I think I am going to vote for Gregg simply because I think he is the better of

the choices we are offered.  Robert really disappointed me when he was

sheriff those four years.  He had no control over his deputies and did not take

any responsibility for their actions.  I have not seen enough of him during this

campaign to have a good feel for whether he has grown up or not.  The other

disappointment is that he has not been here in the county enough during the

campaign.  He has recently divorced and has a new girlfriend.  What does that

usually tell us about men??  And as a 911 board member he missed many

meetings.  Gregg's problems are many also, but I really think that he has

proven himself to be interested in our county with the many community events

he has supported and been active in during the past several years.  I think

that what happenned in Oklahoma almost 20 years ago should be left as

bygones.  He has since matured and gained much experience.  Also, he is

married with two daughters who both attend Pineville Schools and is well

established in the community.  I think he would make his deputies toe the line

and accept responsibility when they goof up.  He has a more take charge

attitude than Robert.  So, them are my thoughts on the subject.  If you have

any better ideas let me know.

For coroner I am in favor of Tracy Dowd over Doc Halverson wh0 really is not a doctor.

I like both of them but feel she would do a better job for the county.  Since the

county changed my voting precinct from west to east without my moving, I have

to decide whether to vote for Loren Garren or Sam Gaskill neither of which

I like for the job.  And you have to decide between Ronnie Walker and Gayle Brock.  I

don't think Gayle has done a really bad job, but I do know that one democrat

against two republicans is always a tough job to handle.  I don't know enough

about Walker to say yea or nay.  And finally public administrator.  I can only say

that I think Donna Underwood truly cares about the people she has to care for.

She was an immense help to me when I was trying to figure what to do about

my little sister this year.

You know that there are 911 board member slots open.  The chairman of the board/member at large, currently held by Don O'Brien, candidates are Mike Hall

and Tim Miller.  Mike has a lot more experience than Tim with actual handling of

emergencies.  He is currently a deputy sheriff, was one of the first Dare officers, dispatched both at the new 911 center and for the sheriff before 911, worked for

us as an EMT full time when he first got out of school, has been a volunteer

fire fighter since before then.  He has helped with writing grants and has been

on other committees.  Also I think with his full range of emergency services

experiences he would tackle the job as a whole with knowledge.  Tim is fire

chief at Stella/Longview with no police, dispatching experience except on the

receiving end.  He is a first responder, I think.  Both are good guys.  It is time

for a change on the board and how they operate.

There is one board member for the western district on the ballot with Ted Huston

running unopposed.  I think he does a good job.  On the eastern district, Bill Anderson

and Bill Davenport are running for one seat.  My opinion is to vote for Davenport

as he is actually involved in some emergency services and is more familiar

with what 911 is all about.  So I will probably vote for him.  Bill Anderson is

a great guy, but I think is out of his element on the board. Again, it is time for

a change on the board.