Next month, Polk County voters will decide their next set of local leaders and their new top law enforcement officer.

In addition to national and state level races on the ballot, county voters will be asked to select three people to sit on the Polk County Board of Commissioners, as well as who will serve as the new Polk County sheriff during next month’s midterm election, which will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6.

To help familiarize readers with those appearing on the ballot for these two races, we have sent questions to the five candidates running for commissioner and the two candidates running for sheriff. We will run their answers throughout this week.

Also running for commissioner is Republican Mari Cartwright, and running for sheriff is John D. Metcalf. Both are running as write-in candidates.

Early voting for the election begins on Wednesday, Oct. 17, and ends 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.

For information on local voting rules and regulations, residents may visit polknc.org/board_of_elections_2.php.

Name: Carolyn Ashburn

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

Earlier this year, the county announced that a Michigan-based automation supplier, Bulldog Factory Service, would renovate a vacant building in Columbus, with the company expected to create 40 new jobs over the next five years. How would you, if elected, attract similar new employers into the county and promote further economic growth?

Polk County needs to encourage locally owned businesses to stay in our communities, hire our own people, who, in turn, spend their money in our county. We need to support the businesses that are here and play to our current strengths.

The best way to encourage desirable businesses, which hire locally and pay a living wage, is to maintain our natural beauty, ensure that our schools continue to be the best in North Carolina, keep our air and water quality high, and our available housing options within reach of employees of our local community.

As a commissioner, I will encourage the Polk County Office of Economic Development to focus and strengthen our current local businesses that keep our tax dollars where they belong — in Polk County.

Name: Paul “Little” Beiler

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

Earlier this year, the county announced that a Michigan-based automation supplier, Bulldog Factory Service, would renovate a vacant building in Columbus, with the company expected to create 40 new jobs over the next five years. How would you, if elected, attract similar new employers into the county and promote further economic growth?

So, I’m a proponent of smart growth. I would certainly welcome new businesses to Polk County to revitalize some of our vacant facilities. 

The key, of course, will be whether or not they fit the type of industry or business we want to attract. The economic development council will play a major role in advising us along these lines.

My overall approach to growth, while positive, will be cautious.

I’m really concerned about our labor force. I want to be confident that our high school and college graduates will be able to pursue positions with these new companies, and they are adequately prepared in school to do so.

Name: Chrelle Booker

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

Earlier this year, the county announced that a Michigan-based automation supplier, Bulldog Factory Service, would renovate a vacant building in Columbus, with the company expected to create 40 new jobs over the next five years. How would you, if elected, attract similar new employers into the county and promote further economic growth?

I am certainly an advocate for additional jobs that can take advantage of our diverse population and skill sets.

This type of recruitment, however, is best suited for those experienced in economic development, which I fully support. I trust them to actively seek to increase business by thinking globally, regionally, locally and showcasing Polk County’s strengths. 

Again, I would like to have our residents involved as to what type of businesses they would like in the county. I will always be willing to meet with and be interested about meeting with perspective businesses that might consider adding jobs or establishing new factories here, whether they are manufacturing businesses or many other kinds of businesses that would provide good, well-paying jobs for Polk County’s citizens.

Name: Ray Gasperson

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

Earlier this year, the county announced that a Michigan-based automation supplier, Bulldog Factory Service, would renovate a vacant building in Columbus, with the company expected to create 40 new jobs over the next five years. How would you, if elected, attract similar new employers into the county and promote further economic growth?

I’m a firm believer that the best way to attract new businesses and experience sustainable economic growth for our county is to focus on “Why Polk is a great place to live, work, play and invest.“ In other words, “Quality of Life issues.”

For example, Polk County (1.) must maintain a well-run, stable county government, staffed by highly competent employees, (2.) continue having an excellent public school system, which currently is ranked number one in North Carolina, (3.) continue to have one of the lowest property and violent crime rates in the state, (4) continue to maintain one of the higher average income per capita in North Carolina at $42,611, (5.) continue to have one of the lowest property tax rates in North Carolina, which is currently the 17th lowest of 100 state counties. 

Of course, it’s vital that Polk County has staff that can help inform and give guidance to business owners planning on investing in Polk, especially with grant applications. However, in my opinion, the granting of local tax payer money as an incentive should be avoided.

Name: Tommy W. Melton

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

Earlier this year, the county announced that a Michigan-based automation supplier, Bulldog Factory Service, would renovate a vacant building in Columbus, with the company expected to create 40 new jobs over the next five years. How would you, if elected, attract similar new employers into the county and promote further economic growth?

We have a unique situation here in Polk County. For the first time in decades, there is a “now hiring” sign at the Milliken Plant.

Rather than a problem with attracting new employers, we may have a workforce development issue. Our first challenge may be working with Polk County High School and Isothermal Community College in preparing our graduates for high quality jobs from those companies already here, as well as those planning to locate here in Polk County.

We have an outstanding educational system, and our goal is to keep as many graduates from moving out of the county to seek jobs elsewhere, as we feel this is the best place on earth in which to live and raise a family.

Name: BJ Bayne

Position sought: Polk County sheriff

Party affiliation: Democrat        

Do you feel the sheriff’s office has a good relationship with the public? If elected, how would further develop a positive relationship with the community?

As a current member of the sheriff’s office, I do not feel that the relationship or partnership between the public and the sheriff’s office is bad or strained in anyway. There are citizens who contact us willing to help provide assistance for people in need, as well as provide information regarding criminal activity and information that is often vital to solving cases.

Just as anything, there is always room for improvement. As sheriff, I will coordinate with churches, schools and housing developments to form community outreach programs. These active community watch programs will involve a deputy who will educate and provide guidance for making your neighborhoods safer.

These are your communities, and we cannot do it without your help and we understand that. As sheriff, I want to form a partnership of trust the sheriff’s office and the citizens feel comfortable in working together to rid our communities of crime.

Name: Tim Wright

Position sought: Polk County sheriff

Party affiliation: Republican

Do you feel the sheriff’s office has a good relationship with the public? If elected, how would further develop a positive relationship with the community?

I think that our current sheriff’s office does have a good relationship overall with the community, however, there is always room for improvement.

Reassessing resources and putting more deputies in the communities is a high priority for my administration, and our deputies need to be vested in and familiar with the communities they serve. Through implementing professional standards, a rigorous field training program for all new deputies and a community engagement program that allows each individual community in Polk County to work closely with specific deputies, the overall relationships between law enforcement and the communities will improve.

Building lasting relationships doesn’t happen overnight, and I look forward to continuing to meet new people in each of Polk County’s unique communities, so we can implement engagement programs, give all of you deputies that you know by name, and a Polk County Sheriff’s Office that we can all be proud of.