Candidates file for Campaign 2010 | Eastern North Carolina Now

     In the first hour of the campaign season, on Feb. 8 at high noon, six early birds officially filed as candidates for various Beaufort County offices. Of the six were five incumbents: Sheriff Alan Jordan, Clerk of Court Marty Paramore, County Commissioner Stan Deatherage (Republican), school board members Cindy Winstead and Teresa Banks; and one newcomer: Jerry Evans, who is running for a Democratic seat on the county commission.

    At first glance, Evans and Deatherage, candidates on opposite sides of the isle, seemed to share a vision for the future of jobs in Beaufort County. Both said they were more interested in helping local companies thrive and expand, than in trying to attract nonnative companies to the area.

    Evans, who owns two Century 21 branches in Washington and Greenville, said that if elected commissioner he would work to “make sure we keep the businesses that we have now and try to add some employees to them.”



“I think sometimes we try to go out and bring in new businesses rather than keeping and building up the ones we have here,” continued Evans.

    Deatherage, a an owner of various businesses, with nearly 14-years experience as a county commissioner, unknowingly echoed Evans’ loyalty to native businesses.

     “The neophyte politician who gives arbitrary lip service in the avocation of searching and buying new jobs for Beaufort County with increased taxpayer money is on a fool’s errand,” said Deatherage.

    Deatherage perhaps differs from Evans, however, in how he wants to go about enabling the county to thrive from within: by cutting expenses and taxes.



    “You’re not gonna get jobs until the economy turns around,” said Deatherage. “I’m more encouraged right now with cutting expenses and saving the taxpayers’ dollars so the economy will turn around for the people who are already here producing jobs.”

    When asked what were some recent accomplishments that Deatherage could list, he referred to four issues, where he was an intergral component in helping to promote the conservative principles that he is well accused of advocating:

     “The last term I served was probably the most eventful term I’ve had in nearly 14 years of being a commissioner. We, as the tax authority for people of Beaufort County, were sued by the school board for outrageous sums of money that would have been misused and, yet, we prevailed,” he said. “We came to the aid of PCS when environmental zealots would have closed our county’s largest economic engine just to make them feel better about themselves. Also, Beaufort County has become a leader in the state of North Carolina as a watchdog for illegal immigration. We know how much it costs to act as emissaries of foreign aid to those who are in our county illegally. We had the courage to say no to the liberal dream of providing public monies to people who are undocumented and should remain in their own countries."

    Deatherage continued, "Last but, but not least, is our success, in working with the ardent advocates of retaining their property rights to defeat the Navy in their desire to locate the OLF (Outlying Landing Field) in Beaufort County. While all good Americans support the military, we, as a county government, felt that the Navy had just not made their case to 'take' these peoples' land, and it was necessary, and within our power, to expend time and resources to come to their aid."

    The other candidates were less profuse in laying out their political platforms.

    Jordan, who is in his third term as sheriff, simply expressed gratitude to those who have helped him get elected and get the job done.

    “I’ve been very fortunate with the support I’ve had from the people in my office and the people in the county,” he said. “During difficult financial times we’ve had a lot of support from our commissioners and the county.”



    Jordan admitted that he may have a competitor for the position, but wouldn’t give a name.

    “We’re just focusing on our campaign,” he said. “No one’s filed yet.”

    Jordan’s supporter, William Cleary of Bath, was there for encouragement during the first moments of the campaign.

    "We’re trying to keep him in office,” Cleary said. “We got the best man right here for the job.”

    The two candidates for Beaufort County Board of Education, Banks and Winstead, were optimistic about added opportunities for accomplishment if re-elected for second terms.

    After one productive, smooth meeting with the very new superintendent, Dr. Don Phipps, Banks said she is hoping for more.



    “I’m excited about the new leadership on board and assisting with moving the school system forward,” Banks said.

    Winstead said she is ready for a chance to use what she learned during her first term during a second term.



    “It was a lot to learn the first term,” Winstead said. “This term will be easier in that the learning curve won’t be there.”

    As of Feb. 10, four more candidates have filed. Of the four are two incumbents: N.C. House of Representatives Democrat Arthur Williams and County Commissioner Ed Booth (Democrat); and two newcomers: Bill Cook, who is running for N.C. House as a Republican and William Reed, who is running for a school board seat.

    The deadline for filing is Feb. 26 at noon. All candidates must pay a fee, a small portion of their prospective salaries, to file.