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The Tryon Daily Bulletin contacted each of the candidates running for the Polk County Board of Commissioners and posed the following three questions. Republican candidate Jennifer Hargett did not reply. 

Below are their responses.

 

What are your top three priorities if you are elected commissioner? What would you like to see accomplished during your term?

 

Paul ‘Little’ Beiler (R)

One of my top priorities when I was first elected as commissioner was to bring a YMCA to Polk County, a vision I’ve held since the beginning of my term. The idea began during a conversation in the County Manager’s office with the CEO of the Spartanburg YMCA, and I’m proud to say that this dream is becoming a reality. We are set to break ground in the fall of 2025. Moving forward, I will prioritize ensuring this facility’s successful completion, which will offer essential recreational and community services for our residents. I will also focus on the continued expansion of high-speed fiber internet. I will continue collaborating with state, federal, and local leaders to ensure that at least 90% of Polk County’s population has access, supporting local businesses, remote workers, and students by improving connectivity throughout Polk County. Lastly, to address the housing crunch, I will actively work to alleviate the housing shortage in our county, seeking solutions that will allow us to maintain our rural way of life while providing affordable housing options for all residents. These priorities will help strengthen our community, improve our infrastructure, and preserve the values that make Polk County unique.

 

Ray Gasperson (D)

My most important priority is protecting Polk County’s beautiful, rural nature. We must work to prevent high-density subdivisions from being developed in Polk County and strive to prevent rural gentrification. Second, as I did during my 12 prior years on the Board of Commissioners, I will continue to advocate for a sound and fiscally conservative approach to spending taxpayer money. It’s also critical that transparency in all county government activities be expanded and the public be given improved opportunities to voice their opinions. My third priority will be to work with local law enforcement, our public schools, our local public health providers, and our county employers to make sure that there is good communication between them and the Board of Commissioners and to make sure that their funding needs are being met in order to adequately serve the public.

 

Libby Morris (D)   

I’ll work to maintain our rural lifestyle and family farms. North Carolina is among the five fastest-growing states; we are expected to lose more farmland than any other state by 2040. By then, one-third of our best farmland will change hands as landowners age and sell. Land prices will rise, making it hard for new farmers. Growth must be locally planned. While we need economic growth to remain fiscally healthy, growth should be on our terms and controlled locally. Development risks are subtle. Large land tracts are sought by corporations and subdivided into mini estates, gentrifying farmland. While this is great for owner real estate prices, it eliminates first-time buyers and takes precious farmland out of production. An acre less farmland means an acre less food security. We also need additional housing to meet population growth, but we want housing for our children and folks who make their lives here, not home buyers from outside the region from more urban settings who are seeking less expensive housing options. County Commissioner meetings appear to rubber stamp requests. Decision transparency must be improved, wherein all viewpoints are considered. Fiscal consideration and management must be equally transparent. No one wants tax increases; we must remain ever financially vigilant. I’d also like to expand economic development activities and increase promotion of Polk County as a tourist destination. Expand protections of our water quality and supplies. Expand broadband and cell coverage to the “blind spots” across the county.

 

Karen Pack (D)                          

My top priority will be protecting our rural atmosphere and agricultural lands. We need intentional growth that serves the Polk County citizens in their communities. We need protection from high-impact growth and overdevelopment. I will also prioritize ensuring all citizens are informed and involved in the decision-making process and transparency in government, as well as working with our state legislators to promote Polk County’s needs. I would like to see our county come up with some land management strategies that will protect us from growth that does not serve us or will negatively affect the citizens. I’d like to see citizens attending meetings and being interested and participating in the plans being made for our county.

 

Myron Yoder (R)

My top priority is keeping our tax rate as low as possible, while at the same time enhancing our quality of life. Also, making Polk County an affordable place to live. Second, I will get our broadband initiative and investment across the finish line where about 95% of Polk County households will have internet. Lastly, making sure we are keeping our county rural with common sense planning—looking at our 2020 Vision Plan, keeping our commercial infrastructure along Hwy. 74 corridor and in our municipalities, not offering public sewer in our rural spaces. Common sense development ordinances.

 

What do you see as the role of a county commissioner in the aftermath and recovery process of Tropical Storm Helene?

 

Paul ‘Little’ Beiler (R)

My focus would be twofold. First, I would work closely with state and federal government agencies to ensure we receive as much support as possible for relief efforts. This partnership would be crucial in speeding up recovery and addressing immediate needs. Second, from the perspective of a private citizen, I would like to ensure that all county residents are cared for in some capacity. In addition to government assistance, I would tap into private funding and resources, particularly from faith-based organizations, to help meet the personal and spiritual needs of our community. These groups are vital in supporting the well-being of our residents during these difficult times.

 

Ray Gasperson (D)

As we continue to recover from Tropical Storm Helene, one of my first initiatives after being elected will be to start having regular conversations and meetings between the Polk County Board of Commissioners and the governing boards of the three municipalities in our county, Columbus, Saluda and Tryon. I believe that with better cooperation between our towns and county government, we can work to provide better services to our citizens. This will also give us the ability to review what was successful in response to Tropical Storm Helene and how we can improve and be better prepared for future weather-related and other widespread public emergencies. I will also work to initiate a full review of Polk County’s maps related to flood plains, and also to identify areas that may be prone to landslides.

 

Libby Morris (D)   

Ensure that everyone is present or accounted for. Assistance is available and provided to those in need. Facilitate state help to maximize recovery and cleanup efforts across the county. Ensure communication channels are available and open for all citizens of the county. Set up satellite communication links in strategic locations in partnership with the townships to provide access in times of communications outages and for those who do not have service. Several local businesses in Tryon opened their Starlink service to the community, providing communications and support as we waited to understand our situation. In times of disaster (no cell, no internet, no phone, no cable), people need general information as well as specifics on how to help.  

Encourage preparation for the “next disaster.” Provide information and web postings advocating minimum supplies, preparations, and contacts for help. Using lessons learned from the recent Hurricane Helene, while still fresh in everyone’s mind, develop a plan to improve our future response to natural disasters. Polk County learned much from Hurricane Helene that should be shared. We had many people who stepped up to clear debris, provide emergency water, food and shelter and perform wellness and safety checks for others. We had Amateur Radio Operators who maintained communications and helped direct help while our power was shut off. Our county government and nearby county governments also provided communications and devoted their time, day and night, to rescue work.

 

Karen Pack (D)                          

Our county commissioners’ role in the aftermath of Helene’s devastation will be to reach out to the citizens. Help with any information they may need to seek help or move forward. Find out what worked and what didn’t work. What still needs to be done? What were the main challenges?  Can the County and municipalities help with funding for the cleanup and rebuilding? It’s a time to learn and research so we can be better prepared in the future. There was no way we could have been prepared for this event. But we can learn from it and be better prepared in the future.

 

Myron Yoder (R)      

As the current Chair of the County Commissioners, making sure that a county Declaration of Emergency was in place, working with the County Manager and Emergency Director, making sure we get out information where people can get food, supplies and emergency shelter is my role. Also, helping and checking on citizens myself, helping clear roads, etc., always keeping the safety of our citizens foremost. Assuring our citizens that their safety is my responsibility.

 

What state-level issues are you watching for their effect on Polk County? Conversely, are there local issues you want to see elevated at the General Assembly?

 

Paul ‘Little’ Beiler (R)

One of the key state-level issues I am closely monitoring is the condition of the Lake Adger Dam. It’s crucial that the dam is inspected for any potential damage, and I’m seeking ways the state can assist with necessary repairs or upgrades to bring it up to industry standards. This is a vital concern for the safety and well-being of our county. I’m also vigilant about any legislation that could undermine Polk County’s ability to govern with the autonomy we need. Preserving our freedom to make decisions tailored to our rural community is a top priority for me, and I will oppose any measures that restrict that ability. On the local front, one issue I would like to elevate at the General Assembly is the unfair competition between small 1-A public schools and better-funded charter schools in North Carolina. It’s not right for small community schools to have to compete against charter schools that have more resources and opportunities. I believe this is an issue that needs to be addressed for the sake of fairness and the well-being of our local students.

 

Ray Gasperson (D)

A primary concern that I have with the state legislature is related to any action that could be taken that could weaken or remove Polk County’s ability to set local land use policy. Currently, we have a Subdivision Ordinance (that applies to the whole county except for the areas in the municipalities), which makes it impossible for a high-density major subdivision to locate in our county. When I was Chair of the Polk County Board of Commissioners in 2011, I spearheaded the passage of the current subdivision ordinance. I believe that this ordinance is essential to helping protect the beautiful, rural nature of our county. I also want the State General Assembly to move forward and help fund a portion of the cost of building a YMCA in Polk County.

 

Libby Morris (D)   

Polk County has worked hard to provide a safe, quality education for all our students. We are proud to have one of the best school systems in North Carolina. This distinction has been obtained by “Doing What’s Right For Students,” and it works. We want to preserve our top-notch schools. Farmland preservation is an issue that will require attention from state leaders, farm groups, and farmland preservation trusts to address. Workforce housing (quality housing within reach of our teachers, EMS, nurses, and law enforcement) is a regional and state-wide issue. Housing solutions may be more readily available with assistance outside the county.

 

Karen Pack (D)                          

I’m watching and concerned about how funds are being taken from our public schools and used as a voucher system for certain privatized schools. I’m so proud of our public school system here in Polk County. If you attend a school board meeting, you hear all the challenges our public schools are facing, and I’m so impressed with how well we are doing here in Polk. We have wonderful people who care so much about our children here and want them to have the very best. Lack of funding from the state level is extremely challenging, yet we continue to rank high. Locally, I’d like to see funding (our tax dollars) given to NCDOT for maintenance and repairs for our roads and bridges here in Polk County. Our roadways used to be maintained; for example, road shoulders were cut down so the heavy rain waters could flow off and not stand in the road as they do now. This is a safety issue here in Polk.

 

Myron Yoder (R)

State and federal issues currently include ensuring our citizens get the financial help they need to recover from Helene from state and federal funds. Also, more funds being released from the state for broadband infrastructure. As county commissioners and county management, we are communicating with state legislators to ensure we can get as much financial help for infrastructure as possible and elevate to the legislators that we need help financially for our YMCA build-out. Also, I sat down with the DOT director, just to make them aware of our road repair needs and the heavy traffic areas that need attention. I would count it a privilege to serve Polk County citizens for four more years.