Local Candidates! A Team for Our Times
New Board of Commissioners! New School Board! This is year it's ALL about community.
I have great regard for the eight men and women in Transylvania County who made a decision this year to step outside of family and work life and into their community, to run for office.
At their first meeting they chose one word to take out on all eight of their campaign trails, the word “together”.
This is not just a slogan. From the beginning, “together” has referred not only to the candidates along with the local Democratic Party that supports them, but also to all the residents of our county.
Our big Oxford English Dictionary says that the word “together” comes from Old English and German words meaning “companionship, fellowship, union” - as well as “good” and “direction”. I need say no more!
Last week I wrote about one of these eight candidates, Mark Burrows, who is running for North Carolina House District 119. And in August I wrote about Adam Tebrugge, candidate for NC Senate District 50; he’s also running here under the Together banner.
Today’s Postcard is about the other seven, three for the county Board of Education and four for the Board of Commissioners.
This year voters have a chance to change the majority on both Boards.
Board of Education
Recently, I asked our School Board candidates a few questions. Their campaign website links are in the notes below this post.
Q: What do you see as possible for our county in the next few years?
David Borman: Great schools and a cooperative local government. The current leadership’s inability to work together has resulted in unsafe schools, community frustration and a backlog of $300 million worth of capital projects. But we can right this ship by working together to make decisions that support every resident.
Claudia Hawkins: If the right people are elected to the County Commission and the School Board, we can make progress. For schools, I see replacing the current dysfunction with cooperation. I also see more housing for teachers if the county and schools can work together.
Sara Green: I see us rebuilding trust in leadership so people feel cared for. About consolidation, it’s hard to keep up two public high schools when state funds are diminishing. But it’s an opportunity for Blue Ridge Community College to expand into the Rosman area, creating innovative high school options.
Q: What has been a memorable experience on the campaign trail?
David Borman: Talking with teachers and principals! They are experts who bring compassion, energy and dedication to our students every day. I’m optimistic. Our educators know what they're doing; when we trust them to do it, the results will be magical.
Claudia Hawkins: So far, it’s been the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Democrats in the county and the tremendous support of the county party leadership.
Sara Green: Connecting with the Together for Transylvania candidates. We have created trusted bonds. We can count on each others’ strengths that will carry over into our elected offices
Q: How would you advise someone who runs for office for the first time?
David Borman: If you know why you're running and what you want to do if elected, it’s easy to meet voters and make campaign speeches. I’m running to give young people opportunities to live the lives they imagine. Receiving a great public education changed my life, and I want every student to feel that way.
Claudia Hawkins: First, understand that it will require a real commitment of time and energy. And it may also mean developing new skills and operating outside of your comfort zone. That being said, it is an opportunity to serve your community in a very meaningful way, so if you have a passion for working together with others for the good of the community--go for it!
Sara Green: Run with like-minded candidates, as we are doing. It is a model of what working together looks like. You give each other momentum, comfort in shared experiences, and support in times of need.
Q: How can a volunteer get the word out about your campaign before and during Early Voting?
David Borman: Talk to everyone you know. Most people don’t realize our schools are in such disrepair. Or they think there is a plan to fix everything. It takes effort and emotional energy to keep up with local politics, and there's no shame in tuning out. But even the most basic conversations about our schools can change minds.
Claudia Hawkins: Talk about Democratic-supported candidates, with specific reasons why you are voting for them. If you can talk to friends and neighbors who are not Democrats, but see the need for better governance, then focus on those people. Hosting a Meet-and-Greet gets the word out.
Sara Green: Like and share social media posts about voting requirements. Instead of engaging in negative, opponent-bashing, share information that lifts up our candidates and shows how we will lift up these offices.
Board of Commissioners
I asked our Commission Board candidates the same questions. Their website links are in the notes at the end of the post.
Q: What do you see as possible for our county in the next few years?
Christy Blakely: I am ready to collaborate to solve our many backlogged issues - capital improvement for public schools, a new courthouse, a Blue Ridge Community College campus, small business support, housing and childcare for working people, a living wage. With my experience, I can outdo the competition for resources in our region.
Rik Emaus: “Together for Transylvania” means that our candidates will work with the whole county, attracting new partners and resources for housing, childcare and economic development. We’ll never get this from our current conflicting Boards - which anyone who reads the local news or simply asks around can see.
Bryan O’Neill: I see a future where Commission and School Boards, towns and communities work creatively and efficiently together to reach clearly-defined goals.
Joe Smith: I believe that with teamwork we can put Transylvania on a path to improve our schools, create affordable housing and more accessible childcare.
Q: What has been a memorable experience on the campaign trail?
Christy Blakely: People tell me they want Commissioners to end the delays in school construction and start investing their tax money in the well-being of students and teachers. It’s rewarding to tell them I’m running to help make this happen!
Rik Emaus: When I first campaigned door-to-door, right away I had the experience I dreaded - meeting a voter of the opposite political persuasion. How would I handle a confrontation or hostility? But the gentleman was cordial and even offered me and my canvassing partner dinner! We talked and listened, and parted with a hearty handshake. It was a powerful reminder that we can still disagree without being disagreeable.
Bryan O’Neill: I’ve learned about all the possibilities around us that the current leadership has not explored. I can see now that success has seemed out of reach only because of a lack of vision.
Joe Smith: Getting to know my fellow candidates and more people from all walks of life has been a rewarding, enriching experience.
Q: How would you advise someone who runs for office for the first time?
Christy Blakely: Talk about your campaign goals with the people you meet every day - and order the largest buttons you can find!
Rik Emaus: Campaigning is a challenge. At the start, I set goals that have helped me keep my balance.
Meet as many people and learn as much about your community as you can.
Connect with at least 3 new people who will have ongoing importance in your life. (For me, it’s already past 3!)
Act from your personal values and in service to your community.
Bryan O’Neill: Have a clear vision and a reason for running. You really, really need to have a strong belief in what you want to accomplish, because it’s not going to be easy.
Joe Smith: Get to know as many people as you can. Volunteer for as much as you can. Get your name out there!
Q: How can a volunteer get the word out about your campaign before and during Early Voting?
Christy Blakely: Look for my campaign materials at the Democratic Headquarters and share them with friends. Visit my website. Phone bank and canvass, and come to our Transylvania Together events. Volunteers are our best advocates, person to person.
Rik Emaus: Make sure you're registered and have a plan to vote! See my website for my experience and approach to leadership, and request a yard sign or car magnet. Meet us at events and tell 10 friends about us! Call Democratic HQ to sign up for canvass training; tell them you’d like to partner with me. Tell me how YOU'D like to help!
Bryan O’Neill: Don't spend time preaching to the choir. Get out of your comfort zone. Reach out to voters who are on the fence or vote the party line without thinking. Show them that on the local level we all want the same thing. Let them know that it’s not the political party that will get things done, it’s the people they vote for.
Joe Smith: Talk to everyone you meet!
Q: Is there a question I haven't thought of asking?
Christy Blakely: The Commission seat I’m running for is a "head-to-head" race for the remaining 2 years of Emmett Casciato's seat that he resigned, so I have one opponent.
Rik Emaus: Some people ask, “Why are the ‘Together for Transylvania’ candidates helping each other? Aren't you competing for the same seats?” No, we’re not. There are 3 open seats on the Board of Education, and 3 of us. And there are 4 open seats on the County Commission, and 4 of us. So vote for ALL of us! We’re running together because we share the same values and commitment to our community - and we actually like each other!
Bryan O’Neill: We can lessen today’s divisiveness by listening and talking, in that order. We have more in common than we realize, because outside forces have torn us apart. It didn't used to be this way and doesn't need to be now.
Joe Smith: I love opportunities to improve things — working on my cars or house, fixing my kids' toys, helping my kids develop skills. I see running for office as another opportunity to fix something that's broken!
Deda: Thank you, candidates. See you at Early Voting!