To the Editor:

I attended the debate on Sept. 29 at Southwestern Community College between the four candidates running for the District 3 and 4 seats on the Jackson County Commission.

The questions were chosen and asked by students from the school’s “Social Problems” course .The two incumbents, Mark Jones and Vicki Greene, have held the seats for the last 10 and four years, respectively. One would expect them to know all the projects, planning and accomplishments of the commission and they did. The two challengers, Mickey Luker and Ron Mau, were introduced and all four looked to be professional, dedicated and honest. 

During the debate, it became apparent that Luker and Mau were both very energetic and knowledgeable. They attend the commission meetings and were up to date on the planning and projects before the board. I feel both are ready to step in and have a positive impact on the board and the County.

Unlike the incumbents, they had new ideas and innovative solutions to get the county back to a balanced budget. During the debate, they were both focused on ways to save tax money and keep funding for necessary projects. 

All four candidates stated they were “for” fiscal responsibility, but Jones and Greene both have a record that shows a tax and spend history. In this case it’s spend and tax, as the money was spent first and when the deficit kept growing, they did what Democrats always do ... raise taxes. 

The innovative solution would have been to start reducing spending five years ago to match the anticipated revenues. but raising taxes is quick and easy. They knew there would be a re-evaluation on property assessments years ago but did nothing to prepare.

 I’m one of the many part-time residents that pay their “fair share” of property and sales tax. We shop and buy local, use local contractors and labor and support county charities. But we cannot vote. We ask for the hard-working, law-abiding, taxpaying residents to help elect Luker and Mau. Their signs say “Change is Coming.” I just hope it's not too late.

Robert Fromhartz

Whittier 

Editor’s note: Counties in North Carolina are required by state statute to have a balanced budget, and Jackson is no exception.