Oct 31 2008
Three Races for Wake County Commission
Wake County is the second largest county in North Carolina and home to yours’ truly. As of now, 4 of its 7 commission members are Republican, and the other three are Democrat. Democrats see a great opportunity to knock off incumbent Kenn Gardner (R) and take control of the commission. Perhaps the single most important issue in this election, even though it’s never talked about, is the Wake County School Board, which is notoriously incompetent, wasteful, and antagonistic to parents. Republicans have stymied the school board’s efforts to increase its power and take even more money from taxpayers. County Democrats, however, will do whatever the school board asks of them, which is truly a frightening thought. Here’s a breakdown of the races.
District 6- Republican dentist Dr. Larry Tilley is waging an uphill campaign against 20-year incumbent Betty Lou Ward. Ward is a big spender and after 20 years is seriously out of touch. I’ll vote for Tilley.
District 5- I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about incumbent Harold Webb (D), including his challenger, Venita Payton (R). But Payton, a black Republican who’s been very active in the community, will bring a new perspective (and accountability) to the commission. I’ll vote for her.
District 4- THIS is why I don’t use my real name. By day, I’m an active Republican who helps my party, even the candidates I don’t like. But when I’m on this website I can tell you what I really think without having to worry about ticking off my Republican friends. So here we go…
I cannot give an endorsement to either Kenn Gardner (R) or his opponent Stan Norwalk (D). When I get to this race on the ballot, I will leave it blank. If the Wake School Board asked certified fruitcake Stan Norwalk to parade down Hillsborough St. wearing nothing but a speedo and a smile, Norwalk would do it with relish. He cannot be trusted to stand up to the school board and has tried to force the transfer tax down the throats of North Carolinians for the past several years. He should not be elected.
But neither should Gardner. Though he’s done a good job overall, I have issues with his ethics and judgement. Gardner used his influence to stop a community pool project while he, as part of his day job, was an architect for another pool project. He insists he did nothing wrong and did not misuse his power. Even if I believe him, it shows a drastic lapse of judgement. The GOP has been burned too many times from sticking by “judgement-challenged” incumbents simply because they’re Republican incumbents. Not this time. Kenn- you’re a commissioner in the second largest county in North Carolina. You should know better, and if you don’t, then you’re not fit to serve.
