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

In light of recent complaints from residents about proposed construction projects in unzoned portions of the county, do you believe it is time for the commissioners to zone these portions of the community? If so, why; if not, why not?

Currently, the two unzoned townships in our county are Mill Spring (White Oak Township) and Sunny View (Cooper’s Gap Township) and these residents have expressed their desire to remain unzoned.

I support their opinion. Zoning should not be imposed if the people do not want it.

Name: Paul “Little” Beiler

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

In light of recent complaints from residents about proposed construction projects in unzoned portions of the county, do you believe it is time for the commissioners to zone these portions of the community? If so, why; if not, why not?

Property rights are sacred rights. Any decisions that impact zoning and use of property requires us to proceed with extreme caution. 

In considering changes to regulations, I believe we apply a heavy dose of common sense to these deliberations. Commercial zoning should never impact residential neighborhoods negatively. 

If it should come to pass that we have a major conflict, I will likely side with the property owner defending his rights.

Name: Chrelle Booker

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

In light of recent complaints from residents about proposed construction projects in unzoned portions of the county, do you believe it is time for the commissioners to zone these portions of the community? If so, why; if not, why not?

Zoning is a local issue, and one that is contentious.  I would work with our planning and zoning department and the chamber of commerce.

Polk County has historically consulted with local citizens, those most affected by a purposed zoning, as to whether or not they want zoning and if so, what type of zoning it should be.  I would like to survey citizens on particular acreage.

I would always listen and work toward the best solution for all involved. I believe this is a good and fair procedure.

Keep in mind, it takes at least three commissioners to agree in order to make a majority rule, whether it be good or bad, just or unjust.

Name: Ray Gasperson

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Democrat

In light of recent complaints from residents about proposed construction projects in unzoned portions of the county, do you believe it is time for the commissioners to zone these portions of the community? If so, why; if not, why not?

White Oak (Mill Spring area) and Cooper’s Gap (Sunny View area) are the two townships of Polk County that have not been zoned.

Over the past 10 years, while I have served as a county commissioner, I have noted that even a mere mention of minimal zoning for these two townships will result in a large outcry of opposition by many of these residents. I also recognize that there are many who live in these areas who would welcome some zoning.

The Polk Board of Commissioners, in my opinion, should not take action to expand zoning without widespread support by those who would be affected.

Name: Tommy W. Melton

Position sought: Polk County commissioner

Party affiliation: Republican

In light of recent complaints from residents about proposed construction projects in unzoned portions of the county, do you believe it is time for the commissioners to zone these portions of the community? If so, why; if not, why not?

I am a big believer in personal property rights. If a majority of citizens in certain communities want to be zoned, then I should support it.

I don’t believe in zoning a community that does not want it.

A past example of successful zoning has been the Collinsville area. The vast majority of citizens in that area came to the board of commissioners and asked to be zoned.

That said, commissioners must recognize the ever-changing landscape of Polk County, and do everything they can to protect personal property rights versus future growth.

I desire clean growth that benefits all citizens of Polk County.

Name: BJ Bayne

Position sought: Polk County sheriff

Party affiliation: Democrat        

One of the main issues in Polk County remains drug abuse and sales. How would you address these problems, if elected?

As Polk County does have a drug distribution and usage issue, this is a nationwide problem.

As sheriff, I realize that it will take more than the sheriff’s office to combat this epidemic. Law enforcement and citizens must work together as one to curtail the use of drugs in Polk County.

Currently, community partners are working together to develop a plan for combating opioid addiction in Polk County. One of the biggest hurtles is getting everyone engaged that is needed to develop a means to a solution for all involved.

As sheriff, I will work with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and United States Drug Enforcement Agency to develop a plan that takes an aggressive attack on the sale and usage of drugs in our county. Additionally, I will work alongside with community and county organizations to implement programs and extend resources to help assist addicts, such as narcotics anonymous, for help.

Name: Tim Wright

Position sought: Polk County sheriff

Party affiliation: Republican

One of the main issues in Polk County remains drug abuse and sales. How would you address these problems, if elected?

To have a truly effective crime prevention program, we must partner with our local, regional, state and federal partners to conduct long-term and effective investigations that can have a lasting positive impact on our community.

For the first time during my career, we have a resident assistant district attorney in Polk County eager to go after the habitual offenders, and we should take advantage of that and work together for a long-term impact. Playing whack-a-mole with the local drug users and dealers has proven to be an ineffective, inefficient use of resources.

I’ve worked with every surrounding law enforcement agency at one point or another on medium and large-scale drug investigations, and it is my goal to work with these other agencies to create a regional task-force that can finally begin to make a long-term impact on the drugs that come into Polk County and Western North Carolina as a whole.