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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT
WHQR will host and broadcast four candidate forums as part of the 2012 Election Season in the MC Erny Gallery, 254 N. Front Street, #300.Each forum will feature two local journalists asking prepared questions during the first half of the event. The second portion will be dedicated to questions from voters. A live studio audience will be invited to ask questions during this segment. We'll also use questions sent in from listeners.If you have a question for the candidates, please email us (newsdirector@whqr.org) or submit via Twitter with the #whqrforums hash tag and tell us which slate of candidates you'd like to address. We reserve the right to edit the questions for clarity, brevity, and objectivity. Each question must be addressed to all candidates in a particular race. If you can't attend the live event, Tweet along while you tune in or listen or watch the webcast online at 7 PM each night to hear the candidates! (WWAY will also broadcast the forums live on Time Warner Cable. RTV is channel 106, on ATMC, channel 903, on Charter Cable, channel 145 and over-the-air at 3.2.)Tuesday, Oct. 2, 7 PM- New Hanover County CommissionersJonathan Barfield (Current Vice Chairman)Beth DawsonRobert MurrayDr. Derrick HickeyWoody WhiteRob Zapple Thursday, Oct. 4, 7 PM- NC House District 18Representative Susi Hamilton (D)Louis Harmati (R) Monday, Oct. 8, 7 PM - NC Senate District 9Senator Thom Goolsby (R)Deb Butler (D) Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 PM - NC House District 19 & NC House District 20 NC House District 19Ted Davis, Jr. (Current NHC Commission Chair)Emilie Swearingen (Current Kure Beach Councilwoman)NC House District 20Rick Catlin (Current NHC Commissioner) (R)Tom Gale (D)

NHCo. candidates share thoughts on board turmoil

The six candidates for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners sat down last night for a forum hosted by WHQR. Sara Wood reports candidates were asked how they would ensure unity on the board.

The question was sparked by the present board’s tumultuous relationship with Commissioner Brian Berger. The three Republican and three Democratic candidates were asked how they would deal with internal turmoil and work together as a board. Most of the candidates agreed with each other on the fact that they’d agree to disagree, but not be disagreeable. Republican Derrick Hickey says he would offer his support to help bridge the gap.

“You know, as a physician I would like to sort of take the approach that we help people through their personal problems and we raise people up to do the best that they can do. I’ll be ready to disagree with the rest of them. But at the end of the day when I see someone hurting, I will try to help them be the best commissioner they can be.” 

Chairman Jonathan Barfield, Jr. told the story of the tough decision he had to make last year when he asked Berger to resign on the board’s behalf. Barfield says a commissioner’s role is all about leadership and the welfare of the citizens.  

“And our role is to represent all the citizens of our community. Not Republicans, not Democrats, not black, not white, not rich, not poor but all the citizens. And what I find on our board is folks that are really concerned with a party. I’m the only Democrat on a Republican board. So I’ve got to find ways to make things work for everyone.” 

Republican Beth Dawson says there’s no time for unprofessional behavior on the board if the commission wants to move the local economy forward.

“Other parts, other companies and other businesses are not going to want to invest in New Hanover County unless they know they have a functioning governing board that can build consensus and work hard together.” 

Four of the five commissioner seats are up for grabs in November. Berger is the only commissioner not up for re-election.