Next month, Polk County voters will decide their next set of local leaders and their new top law enforcement officer.

In addition to national and state level races on the ballot, county voters will be asked to select three people to sit on the Polk County Board of Commissioners, as well as who will serve as the new Polk County sheriff during next month’s midterm election, which will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6.

To help familiarize readers with those appearing on the ballot for these two races, we have sent questions to the five candidates running for commissioner and the two candidates running for sheriff. We will run their answers throughout this week.

Also running for commissioner is Republican Mari Cartwright, and running for sheriff is John D. Metcalf. Both are running as write-in candidates.

Early voting for the election begins on Wednesday, Oct. 17, and ends Saturday, Nov. 3. Early voting will only be done at the Polk County Board of Elections this year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

For information on local voting rules and regulations, residents may visit polknc.org/board_of_elections_2.php.

Name: Carolyn Ashburn

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as commissioner? What separates you from your opponents?

Experience and commitment to spending the time to do the research needed to be an informed commissioner. With a career as a speech therapist in the public schools, I learned how to really hear the voices of others. 

The seven years of experience serving on Saluda’s planning board and city council gave me valuable experience in local government.  We are at a critical time in our county’s history and I want to do as much as I can on a local level to protect our peaceful county and to bring balance to the diverse needs of Polk citizens, including those with families, retirees, our small businesses, farmers struggling to attain affordable land on which to raise their crops, and our economically disadvantaged not having adequate food, medical services or affordable places to live.

I am willing to take the time to do the research and the hard work that goes into making strong decisions for our county.

I have the ability to see things from many different angles and willingness to build consensus.

Fifty-four percent of the Polk County’s populations are women. Polk County needs to have a woman’s voice in our county’s government. Women provide ways to collaborate and communicate that need to be represented.

Name: Paul “Little” Beiler

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as commissioner? What separates you from your opponents?

I don’t know my opponents, so I can’t be too specific about our differences. Based on party affiliation, however, I’m sure our approach to governing would be somewhat different. 

In terms of style, what may set me apart from others is my great interest in understanding people — their hopes, fears, trials and tribulations.

I’m a good listener. That quality helps me solve most problems I face in my life.

As commissioner, I will not be able to solve every problem that comes before me, but I will always take the time to listen to what you have to say on the subject and be respectful. I do take constructive criticism well.

Name: Chrelle Booker

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as commissioner? What separates you from your opponents?

• I realize we are more alike than different; simply treat each person the way you would like to be treated.

• The ability to know when decisions need a waiting period.

• I’m against anything that will harm the people of Polk County or our environment.

• A woman’s perspective.

• I’m for all 20,000 plus residents of Polk County.

• All three of my current jobs are centered around or are a combination of the federal, state and local governments.

• I solve problems for other people daily.

• Ethnicity.

Name: Ray Gasperson

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as commissioner? What separates you from your opponents?

What I bring to the table is a depth of knowledge and experience related to local county government.

I was first elected to the Polk Board of Commissioners just as our country was entering the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Since that time, I have consistently advocated fiscal responsible policies, oftentimes finding myself taking the most fiscal conservative position on the board.

Also, I have extensive experience serving on numerous boards and committees connected with Polk County, including the board of trustees for Isothermal Community College and the Rutherford-Polk-McDowell Health Board.

I have always engaged in lifelong learning, especially connected with local government. I have attended, and will continue attending, numerous classes sponsored by the University of North Carolina School of Government, learning how to implement “best practices” for our local government. This has resulted in me achieving the “Master Level” with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.

Name: Tommy W. Melton

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as commissioner? What separates you from your opponents?

I feel my many years of experience as a town councilman and Polk County commissioner are invaluable.

I have served on many boards, including the St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Trustees, and St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation Board; and these experiences have given me great insight as to the challenges we face as a county. I regularly attend meetings of the planning board and board of adjustments.

I was instrumental in obtaining water for Polk County at a time when we were in a severe drought. I also assisted in the hiring of a full-time veterans’ service officer, who represents the 1,769 veterans in the county. We have the largest per capita retired veteran population in Polk County. I believe it is very important for our veterans to be well represented.

I feel what separates me from my opponents is the vast knowledge and experience I have obtained over the years. As a native of Polk County, I have seen firsthand the many changes that have come to our county during the past decades. As a commissioner, I have had the privilege of participating in the COPE (Cost of Poverty Experience), which spotlights the devastation of poverty and how we, as a county, can help.

I regularly attend meetings and am involved in the programs of Polk Fit, Fresh and Friendly, a great organization that promotes health and wellness to our citizens. I serve on CHSA, which oversees social and economic services, transportation services, senior services and veteran services.

Name: BJ Bayne

Position sought: Polk County sheriff

Party affiliation: Democrat        

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as sheriff? What separates you from your opponents?

I bring experience and understanding of the operations of a sheriff’s office that it is more than just a law enforcement agency. We are servants of the people.

Our job is much greater than just putting people in jail. It is about helping in their time of need. As the captain of the investigations division, I have worked and led every type of investigation, with successful convictions. I know what it takes to solve sexual assaults and homicides, and see they are properly handled and to put forth the best case in court, with getting justice for the victim.

Being a sheriff to me is not about having the title of “Sheriff” in front of my name, it’s about being willing to serve the people and genuinely care about their needs. I care about Polk County.

I believe the positions I have served in as a law enforcement officer and my life experiences separate me from the other candidate. I have been involved in every community of Polk County, and I know what they expect and the demand in providing them a safe neighborhood. Due to having worked throughout Polk County for over 10 years, I have formed many relationships with the public as well as community and county leaders to gain a partnership for the good of all citizens.

I sit on several community boards of various groups and I have heard the needs throughout the entire county on the issues that are important to them. Although I may not hold the highest educational degrees, I will, however, listen to the people and together work through taking whatever actions within my department’s abilities to rectify your concerns.

Name: Tim Wright

Position sought: Polk County sheriff

Party affiliation: Republican

What qualities do you feel you will bring to the table as sheriff? What separates you from your opponents?

I bring over 24 years of local law enforcement experience, backed by extensive training and education, as well as local, regional, state and federal contacts to the table.

I was also born and raised in Tryon, have lived in Polk County my entire life, other than while in the Navy. I am currently raising my family here and am vested in our community and our success.

During my 24 years with the Tryon Police Department, I was fortunate to have worked with progressive leaders who encouraged me to engage in proactive law enforcement duties, training and education. I worked my way through college and was able to apply what I was learning while earning each of my degrees to better serving my community in real time.

I’m also vested in teaching our future leaders each day through the criminal justice partnership between Polk County High and Isothermal Community College.

What separates me from my colleague is that I am not a politician. I’ve worked hard to be where I am at in my career, and I’ve stood my ground on many tough situations along the path to this point.

I’ve earned the respect of the law enforcement community I serve with, and I stand behind what I say or promise. I will always listen to what members of my community say and respect everyone’s opinion, however, I will never tell someone what they want to hear if it is wrong just for a vote.

The position of sheriff is the highest law enforcement role in the county, and you take an oath to uphold the laws of North Carolina and the Constitution, and I actually take that oath serious.

I want to serve every citizen of Polk County equally, no matter their political affiliation or standing in the community.