Mitchell County Board of Commissioners candidates Jeff Harding, Howard Larsen and Steve Pitman think about one of the questions asked during a candidates’ forum in Bakersville on Oct. 18.
Candidates for Mitchell County Commission and Board of Education attended a candidates’ forum Tuesday, Oct. 18 hosted by the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce in the Bakersville Historic Courthouse.
Questions were submitted prior to the event by community members and chamber members. Each candidate gave a two-minute opening statement, had a minute to respond to each question and gave a two-minute closing statement.
Each candidate had a chance to respond to every question.
Current commissioners seeking re-election Jeff Harding and Steve Pitman were joined at the forum by challenger Howard Larsen. Clayton Roberts could not attend but had his prepared opening statement read aloud by the moderator.
School board members seeking re-election Angela Burleson and Brandon Pitman were joined by challengers Pam Pitman, Chad Greene, Alan English and Ron Bailey. Candidate Kathy Young wasn’t there due to an issue with her invite from the chamber.
One-stop voting is open now and ends at 3 p.m. on Nov. 5. Election Day is Nov. 8. Voters must vote at their precinct on Election Day.
One-stop voting sites are the Board of Elections office (11 N. Mitchell Ave., Bakersville) and the Spruce Pine Fire Department (100 Firefighter Way, Spruce Pine).
Commissioners
Jeff Harding, Republican incumbent
He and his wife Darla live in Spruce Pine and have been married for 40 years. They’re also small business owners— Harding’s Landscaping and Lakeview Mercantile and Gardens. The two are parents of two grown sons and two daughters. They have four grandchildren.
Harding is seeking a third term on the board.
“Folks, I’m committed to Mitchell County,” he said. “The current board has worked very hard. We’ve made a lot of progress in a short period of time.”
He encouraged everyone to vote.
Howard Larsen, Democratic challenger
He and his wife Risa have lived in Mitchell county for 12 years. He met her 51 years ago. They have been married for 33 years.
Larsen is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He spent much of his professional career as an educator.
“All citizens have a responsibility to their community,” Larsen said. “I’ve tried to fulfill my responsibility through service.”
Larsen hopes to continue his service to his community in public office.
“I think it may be time for a different perspective, maybe some new thoughts,” Larsen said.
Larsen said he’s there to serve and listen.
“I will not always have the right answers,” he said. “But I will be willing to listen to the public and change if necessary, or adapt to meet the needs of this community.”
Steve Pitman, Republican incumbent
Pitman grew up in Mitchell County and has lived here all of his life. He lives in Spruce Pine with his wife and daughter.
He went to North Carolina State University and got a degree in biological engineering. He now works at Baxter as director of maintenance and engineering.
Pitman said he works well with others and listens.
“Usually the answer is right in front of you,” he said.
Pitman said he’s learned a lot in four years on the board.
“I’ve learned a lot about public tax dollars versus private tax dollars, the hard way,” Pitman said.
He said his focus is on making the county better.
Clayton Roberts, Republican challenger
He lives in Bakersville with his wife and two daughters. He couldn’t attend the forum due to a fall bash at his church.
“This event has taken months of planning,” his statement read. “It requires lots of hands-on work. I felt I couldn’t let them down.” He encouraged anyone to reach out with questions leading up to the election.
Board of Education
Ron Bailey, challenger
Bailey is from Mitchell County and has lived in several different parts of it. He worked in maintenance in the school system for nearly three decades and also was a bus driver.
Bailey’s wife also works in the school system. She’s now a full-time custodian and bus driver.
“We can see part of the problem in our school system in not having enough employees to staff our schools,” he said.
Bailey and his wife have four children and recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary. They have three children in area schools.
“We love children,” Bailey said. “We want the best for them.”
Bailey admitted that in the past, he has skipped elections but encouraged everyone to go vote.
“It is crucial we all use that privilege that we have to cast our vote,” he added.
Angela Burleson, incumbent
She lives in Grassy Creek and was raised in Bakersville. She has one son and is retired from 28 years in the school system.
Burleson has served on the board for eight years. She said she brings experience and knowledge.
“I know our schools, our communities, our issues and our needs,” Burleson said. “I’m a product of the very schools I serve.”
Burleson said she believes in common sense government.
Alan English, challenger
English and his wife are both retired from the school system. They have three grown children who all went to school in Mitchell County. English has two young daughters at home.
“All these kids are our kids,” English said of the school system.
English spent time working at several area schools, including time as an assistant principal in charge of discipline. He’s been out of the school system for seven years.
English said the kids are the top reason anyone should run for school board.
He said his philosophy is that the child comes first, their family comes second and the school system falls after that.
“It needs to be about the kids,” English said.
Chad Greene, challenger
Greene was born in Mitchell County and never left.
He and his wife have been foster parents for about a decade. All of their foster kids are in local schools.
Greene said he’s running because there needs to be more transparency to the public and used the status of the system’s new school as an example.
Greene has been around school-aged kids for decades. He serves as a football official for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
He touted safety as a top concern for area schools and said grants could be key to further solidifying safety.
“It could happen anywhere,” he said. “Don’t think it can’t happen to Mitchell County. Let’s make sure they’re safe going to school and coming back.”
Brandon Pitman, incumbent
Pitman grew up in Bakersville. He went to Mitchell High and studied at North Carolina State University.
Pitman and his wife Stephanie (also a Mitchell grad) have a son named Gabe. He is in the Mitchell County school system.
Pitman is a bi-vocational pastor and works in horticulture at Western Piedmont Community College.
He said cooperation is key on the school board.
“We don’t always have to see eye to eye,” he said. “But we have to work together toward a common goal. And we can do that.”
Pam Pitman, challenger
She has lived in Mitchell County her entire life. She taught and worked in area schools for 35 years.
She holds multiple education degrees including a doctorate and a master’s.
“I’m probably the most educated human you’ll ever see who doesn’t really know a whole lot,” she joked. “A lot of what I was taught has nothing to do with common sense.”
Pitman agreed with other candidates that children are the most important thing to focus on. She said her goal is to give area children as many opportunities as possible.