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New, old candidates run for Handy Sanitary Board [The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C.](Dispatch, The (Lexington, NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 17--The three incumbents, Karen Nash, Norman Hunt and Arlin Sechrist, were elected during a special election in April 2011 after the North Carolina Board of Elections found issue with voter eligibility in the district in November 2010. According to the state, around 130 votes were cast during the November election from voters who receive water from Handy but don't reside within the district lines. Darcus Bisher and Tim Caudle, who are serving on the board, are not up for reelection until 2016. Nash, of New London, is the chairwoman of the Handy Sanitary District Board of Directors. She said that some of the most pressing issues the district is facing are maintaining a clean, potable water supply and finishing the Badin Lake sewer project. She said this would include finishing repairs to allow connection to the system; determining the most appropriate way for the district to pay back project loans while protecting customers from increased rates; and concluding litigation with previous project contractors. She said the board should also follow through with recent requests from customers to be voluntarily annexed into the boundaries if already served by the district. "I think the district was formed to serve the people, not control and manipulate them," Nash said in a written statement. "Our constant focus should be to humbly serve the best interests of district citizens. I am not a politician, I am a concerned citizen, anxious and hopeful to continue serving our community." Hunt, of Denton, is a former chairman of the board who was elected first in 2004 and then again during the special election in 2011. He says as a former plumber, he has a background that helps him understand the day-to-day operations in the district. Hunt says the board of directors should be focusing on pursuing water loss issues and completing the sewer project, but also concentrating on customer service. "I think Handy needs a board willing to listen, discuss and be open to change," Hunt said in a written statement. "Having lived in Denton my entire life, I am very interested in my community. Those who know me know I am direct and don't beat around the bush. As a current board member, I look forward to continue working for the Handy customers." Sechrist, of New London, has served on the Handy Sanitary District Board of Directors for the past six years after being appointed in August 2009. He said in a written statement that he thinks the Handy board should focus on finding solutions to pending litigation, water contract issues and escalating project costs. "These issues, if not handled properly, will have a huge impact on customer rates," Sechrist said. "We are working hard with federal, state and local officials to resolve these issues. ... I think the district has an obligation to the customer to secure a second water supply source. We are currently at the mercy of a sole source supplier for all our needs. This could prove to be a very costly mistake in the future." R.P. Hughes, of New London, believes his background in construction and education would serve him well on the board of directors. Hughes was a teacher of carpentry and construction management for 28 years at Guilford Technical Community College. Hughes said in a written statement that completing the sewer system while keeping the service affordable is a key issue for the board of directors. He also said pending legal issues need to be addressed as well as sound budget management and getting more people on the system. Hughes said he wants to be open and accessible to all Handy customers and to take every issue seriously. "I am willing to listen to the citizens and would encourage them to bring concerns to the board so these concerns can be properly addressed," Hughes said. "I will always pay close attention to all concerns and will always vote to do what is best for all customers of the Handy Sanitary District. ... I am a conservative person and believe in less government. However, I realize that if elected to this board there will be times that I will have to vote for things I may not personally like but are in the best interest of the Handy Sanitary District customers, and I am prepared to make these types of decisions." Charles Hobson, of New London, is a retired business analyst with 40 years experience in corporate management. He taught at Montgomery Community College and owned the I Don't Care restaurant at Badin Lake. Hobson said in a written statement he believes customer service, water loss and a long-term plan for the district's debt are the main issues the board should be addressing. He said he thinks is it important for the board to work for what is best for all the members of the Handy Sanitary District. "My basic philosophy is that the government should only do the things that individuals are not able to do for themselves," Hobson said. "Examples of these are police protection, fire protection and public utilities. We also must develop strategic alliances with other governmental units in the area and work together for the greater good of the entire area. ... I am very interested seeing the area continue to be a place that I am proud to call home and provide a future for my children and grandchildren." Debora Yarbrough, of New London, is a past member of the board of directors who lost her seat during the special election in 2011. She is vice president of a family-owned business. Yarbrough said in a written statement that she believes her background and knowledge of the history on current projects will be important for the completion and resolution of issues within the district. The topics she thinks are the most pressing for the board to address are fiscal responsibility, improving customer satisfaction and proactive long-term planning as well as developing improved relationships with local and state agencies. "I work well with others and understand the necessity for communication between all entities in order to accomplish common goals," Yarbrough said. "I believe that Handy should be working more closely with other agencies to ensure that the needs of the customers are being met. Once communication breaks down, the customers are the ones that end up paying. I believe in listening to the customers' concerns and addressing them in a timely manner. ... I am active in our community and will strive to work with the customers of Handy to ensure that their concerns and needs are addressed." Dan Caudle, of New London, is seeking his second term on the Handy board after losing his seat in 2012. He is a retired clerk for the United States Postal Service and has served in the past as the board's chairman. Caudle was not available for comment. Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at [email protected]. Follow Sharon on Twitter: @LexDisptachSM ___ (c)2014 The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C. Visit The Dispatch, Lexington, N.C. at www.the-dispatch.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |