By LEE HINNANT
Two men with extensive experience in government and business face each other in the Democrat primary race for the District 6 county commission seat.
David Lee McPherson, 65, and James Ricky Bullard, 46, are candidates for the post currently held by Board of Commissioners Chairman Kip Godwin, who is not seeking re-election. The winner of Tuesday’s primary could face unaffiliated candidate Howell Strickland in November. Strickland must obtain about 200 voter signatures from within the district to get on the November ballot.
Bullard, of Cerro Gordo, has a general contracting business and runs The Cement Barn. He was elected to the county school board in 1994 and has been re-elected twice since.
Bullard has served as president of the Columbus County Home Builders Association and has served on the Cerro Gordo Fire and Rescue Department. He is assistant superintendent of Chadbourn Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Bullard graduated from West Columbus High School and attended Robeson Community College. He is married to the former Judy Ford and the couple has an adult son and an adult daughter.
McPherson, of Chadbourn, retired as plant manager for the former Allied Chemical/Honeywell plant, where he worked for 43 years. A farmer, McPherson also served in the U.S. Army and National Guard.
McPherson served as a county commissioner from 1976 to 1980 and was chairman of the Cape Fear Council of Governments. A former chairman of the county Democrat Party, McPherson currently serves as chairman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
McPherson has served as captain of the Tabor City Rescue Squad and as chairman of the county’s Cancer Society. A Sunday school teacher, McPherson is a former superintendent at Beaverdam Freewill Baptist Church. McPherson graduated from Williams Township High School and attended classes in administration and environmental management while working at the chemical plant. He also attended Southeastern Community College.
He is married to the former Ida Gray Gasque and the couple has an adult daughter and an adult son, as well as five grandchildren.
The News Reporter sent the candidates questionnaires. The questions and written responses appear below.
Why are you seeking the position of Columbus County commissioner?
Bullard: I am a lifelong citizen of Columbus County and have immediate and extended family in the county. I feel that I can make decisions that will be helpful in county government and I am concerned about the issues that are facing all people here in the county. We need commissioners who work with the people, listen to the people and understand the needs within the county.
McPherson: My platform is best management of taxpayer dollars and economic development (jobs). Education – public schools and Southeastern Community College. Family farm transition. More openness in government affairs. Programs benefiting senior citizens.
What do you believe distinguishes you from other candidates?
Bullard: I believe I have some good experience by serving on the Columbus County Schools Board of Education for 12 years. I know how to put the interests of the people and the needs of our county first. I know that we live in a low-wealth county and we must spend tax dollars very conservatively and wisely. I’m always accessible, and I feel that I have the ability to work cooperatively with others. I am an employee of the people now as a school board member and this will not change if elected as a commissioner.
McPherson: Knowledgeable, professional with 43 years of management experience in manufacturing and agriculture. Working with and approving budgets. Establishing policy for staff and employees for efficient operation. An effective communicator, committed to work hard for all citizens of Columbus County.
The county’s undesignated fund balance – its savings account – is precariously low. Short of raising taxes, how should county government build up its financial reserves?
Bullard: I think one way to build up reserves is to take a percentage of this past year’s new and higher tax evaluation money and allocate it to the savings account, much like the Legislature does for a rainy-day fund.
McPherson: Better management of taxpayer dollars. Work with state and federal governments to eliminate cost to county for participating in Medicaid program, savings of over $5 million annually. Undesignated fund balance is to be used for county emergencies and should not be used to balance annual budgets.
What are your thoughts on countywide election of commissioners?
Bullard: I personally favor the election of county commissioners in countywide elections as opposed to the current district elections … I realize that the election of minorities to the Board of Commissioners is the reason why the system was changed … I believe provisions can be made to ensure minority representation on the county Board of Commissioners.
McPherson: I personally have no problem being elected countywide. However, this is a legal issue. The system we have was issued by the courts … I am unaware of anyone who has the real answer to this legal issue.
What area – or areas – of county government do you believe warrant the most attention in the immediate future?
Bullard: I believe we need to build up our financial reserves to make Columbus County financially strong. We must continue to provide the resources to keep public schools operating at an optimum level. I also feel we must have a strong economic development program to bring industry into our county. We must create industry within the county to provide jobs and tax revenue to keep our taxes from being such a burden on the working family and family farms.
McPherson: Good planning and the items I listed in my platform. New and expanded industries will help our tax base. I am committed to work with all groups from the governor’s office, legislative body, mayors, city councils, committees and individuals to aggressively expand our economy.
For challengers only: How many county commission meetings have you attended in the past 12 months?
Bullard: None.
McPherson: No response