Democrats, Republications seeking spots on county board debate

COLUMBUS — From the recent growth at Tryon International Equestrian Center to whether sheriff’s office vehicles should continue sporting “In God We Trust,” the five candidates appearing on the ballot in November for county commissioner made their thoughts known on several key issues this week.

Democrats Carolyn Ashburn, Chrelle Booker and incumbent Ray Gasperson, and Republicans Paul Beiler and incumbent Tommy Melton, had a chance to share more about themselves and their ideas during a forum hosted by the Tryon Daily Bulletin Wednesday evening at Polk County High School. The group fielded questions developed by moderator Michael Baughman and the Bulletin staff during the event, which had around 100 people in attendance, as well as many others watching via online livestream.

Among the topics the candidates were asked to weigh in on was on Mill Spring’s TIEC, in particular about how property tax values of nearby residences have skyrocketed in recent years due to the development at the equestrian complex.

Gasperson, a Green Creek Township resident who is seeking his fourth term on the board, said the re-evaluation issue is a “great conundrum” for commissioners, as property taxes are determined through state statues. The tax office goes off the price that surrounding property owners have sold their land for in recent years, something the commissioners have little influence over, Gasperson said.

“We’re having a [revaluation] every four years now [instead of eight], and I think we’re going to see things settled out,” Gasperson said. “I know the tax office worked with a lot of people, and a lot of values were lowered… All I can say is we [commissioners] do everything that is legally possible.”

Beiler — a Green Creek resident, business owner and pastor who is running for his first political position — said that he has spoken with residents living around the equestrian center, who have complained not just about surging property values, but also about traffic near the facility. The candidate said he is concerned about their problems, especially of those who have lived in the Pea Ridge community their entire lives who now feel like they are being dictated to by an outside entity.

“Whether it’s talking about zoning rights or things of that nature, I think we need to place a premium value on the workers, and where that community is feeling the pinch,” Beiler said.

Another topic of discussion was on whether the phrase “In God We Trust” — which is displayed on Polk County Sheriff’s Office squad cars and on the front of the county’s Womack Building in Columbus — was appropriate or not.

Ashburn — a Saluda resident and former city commissioner — said she is a strong proponent of the separation of church and state, and, as such, she is opposed to having the phrase on display on county property.

“I think [your faith is] a personal decision that you have to decide for yourself, and not have the government decide for you,” she said. 

Fellow Democratic candidate Booker — a television producer and director, and current Tryon town commissioner — said she did not have an issue with the expression being displayed on local public buildings.

“It’s on our money, and everybody has trust in our money, so I don’t have a problem it being on our buildings,” she said.

Columbus’ Melton, who has served a total of six combined years as a commissioner, said he was in favor of the phrase as well, complementing Sheriff Donald Hill for making the decision to put “In God We Trust” on the department’s vehicles years ago.

“As Ms. Booker said, it’s on our money. It’s on the Womack Building. We pray at each commissioners meeting,” Melton said. “I believe if we lost [In God We Trust], we will lose everything that is valuable to us.”

Write-in candidate Mari Cartwright, who is running as a Republican, was also given an opportunity to introduce herself and her platform at the end of the event. The woman, who has lived in Polk County since 1998, said her priorities, if elected, will be to bring good quality jobs to the area, to preserve the area’s beauty and equestrian heritage, and to ensure that development around TIEC and other portions of the county is controlled and is in the best interest of residents.

“I don’t want [Polk County] to become Boiling Springs or Hendersonville, and I do not support urban sprawl,” she said.

Next month, voters will be asked to select three of the six eligible candidates to serve on the board of commissioners. Gasperson and Melton are running to defend their seats on the board, with incumbent Shane Bradley not seeking re-election for his spot.

 

The three highest vote getters will join current Chairman Jake Johnson and Commissioner Myron Yoder on the board. The candidates with the first and second highest vote totals will receive four-year terms, with the third-place candidate receiving a two-year term.

Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 6, with voting taking place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Any voter in line as of 7:30 p.m. will be permitted to cast their ballot.

Those interested in more information or who would like to see a sample ballot may visit polknc.org/board_of_elections_2.php.

Early voting will begin on Wednesday of next week, and will end on Saturday, Nov. 3. Early voting will only be done at the Polk County Board of Elections this year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. There are no satellite early voting sites this year.

A full video of the Bulletin’s candidate forum can be viewed online, at facebook.com/TryonDailyBulletin.