Early voting for Oct. 10 election starts Thursday

Sep. 18—HENDERSON — Early voting for the Oct. 10 municipal election starts this Thursday, Sept. 21, at 8:30 a.m. Voters should head to the Dr. Andrea L. Harris Operations and Service Center at 900 South Beckford Drive, with a valid photo ID, to cast their ballots.

Until then, let's take a look at who will be on those ballots. What follows are their platforms, as described during the forum hosted by Terry Garrison on Sept. 7. The candidates are organized in alphabetical order.

Mayor

Sara Coffey, the city's Mayor Pro Tem and a 25-year Henderson resident, wasn't present for the forum. The Dispatch reached out to get her platform.

"I want to try to get some homes in here for the homeless," she said. She's been in talks with a contractor in order to find out the price of developing tiny homes on some of the 104 lots the city recently purchased from the county. She also wants to figure out a way to improve the city's social programs.

Coffey said there has never been a good working relationship between the city and county governments or law enforcement at those levels.

"There's always been a division," she said. "As mayor, I would like to be able to bridge that gap, and be able to work with the county... I think I could possibly do that."

She also wants to find a way to allow people living in the ETJ to vote in city elections. At this time they cannot.

"I want to do the best that I can do to keep our city safe," she said. "I do what I say I'm going to do. I'm an honest person... I'm a part of this community."

Besides that, she's got more experience than other candidates, she said.

Councilwoman Melissa Elliott, the founder of the nonprofit Gang Free Inc., said she wouldn't promise anything that she doesn't already do on a daily basis.

"I have a hand on the pulse of this community," she said. "I am the heart of the community."

She'd like to expand on some things should she be elected.

"We cannot do anything in this community without dealing with mental health," she said. "Mental health and substance abuse has to be addressed in our community. We can't just lock people away because they have a problem with their mental health."

Alongside Gang Free, Elliott administered booster shots and vaccinations and delivered food to those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity is another concern of hers.

"This year alone, we have served over 330,000 pounds of food in this community," she said. That's around 312,000 meals.

Elliott likened Henderson to the human body, with downtown as its heart. A healthy heart, e.g. a revitalized downtown, is necessary so that the body can live. She, like many other candidates, mentioned housing as an area for improvement.

"Don't just talk about affordable housing," she said, "let's talk about low-income housing. Let's talk about housing for everybody. You can't deal with housing without dealing with homelessness. All of these problems tie together."

To that end, her and other members of the city council have been helping the Vance County Housing Authority win a grant that would allow it to build homes for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The first item on her checklist, should she win, is to go to the state concerning dilapidated homes and landlords.

"What you're going to get from Melissa Elliott," she said, "is diversity, inclusion, we aren't leaving anybody else out... everybody here matters. That's what you're going to get, because I'm going to be the mayor."

Greg Etheridge, a newcomer to the local political stage, asked the crowd what they'd like to see in Henderson in the next four years. He has asked those same questions when he attends local government meetings. If something is possible, and it's something everybody wants, why hasn't it been achieved yet, he asked.

"I think that's really where this election comes together and gives us context," he said. "It sounds like we all want the same things. We don't have it yet. How are we going to get there?"

Items on his platform are safer neighborhoods, jobs with living wages, affordable housing, a "vibrant" downtown and lower property taxes. Those five categories encompass everything that voters want, he said.

The city council is a team, he said, and the most dangerous thing for a team is for a particularly strong and assertive member starts talking over the others, therefore disallowing them from doing their jobs properly. His job as a mayor would be to ensure that team is as effective as possible, with each member "being fully heard, fully listened to and fully empowered."

Councilman Jason Spriggs holds the Ward 4 At-Large seat. That means he, to a degree, represents the entire city.

"If you are a resident or a citizen in this city," he told the crowd, "then you have my ear. You let me know what your issue is, then it's my job to make sure that, when I sit down with the mayor and the council, that we try to figure it out."

Since he arrived in the "city of water" around 10 years ago, he has seen the hopes of the people improve.

"We give water to the region," he said. "Everybody wants our water. It's our moneymaker. We use that to develop."

Henderson needs more businesses. Attracting new businesses means more tax dollars without a tax increase, he said.

The city also needs to figure out how to keep its "young men from killing each other."

One of the items on his platform is 1,000 new homes. "They're coming," he said, to Henderson's west and east sides.

As for why voters should choose him, he said that Raleigh has a hand in the city's function. Local governments need the capital's permission to do nearly anything.

"We're going to have to have a mayor who not only has experience with individuals in Raleigh," said Spriggs, "15 years I've been in politics in North Carolina. We have to have somebody who is kind, courteous and civil, because that federal money we used to have, we don't have it anymore. All resources are going to have to come from the state.

"Invite the new, make the old better."

Ward 1

Geraldine Champion, who has served on a variety of local and state boards, including the Legal Aid of North Carolina's board of directors, has also lived here for 62 solid years, having never moved away.

"I stayed here because I've seen how Henderson has gone from one point to another point," she said.

She is one of many who has concerns about Henderson.

"I see Henderson going in a different direction," she said. "I want us to move forward, whether I win or not; I'm willing to work with whomever wins. I'm not going to drop out of sight if I don't win."

Safety, economic development and downtown development are her foremost concerns.

"I want us to do better with our city," she said, "and I want us to do it because we're concerned, not because we were put up to it."

A longtime resident, she asked voters for their support.

"I am the better candidate because I know some of those people in the community," she said. "We've all struggled together, we've eaten dinner together... I am those people that have struggled throughout the years, trying to make ends meet, trying to maintain their household."

Symia Crews, a resident of the city and a veteran, stands for advocation.

"My platform consists of quality and affordable housing, as well as advocation for tenant's rights and implementation of eviction programs or eviction protection programs," she said.

"By working with community members and stakeholders, we can increase funding for redevelopment of housing, and further fair housing rights, tenant's rights and address homelessness."

Crews said she wants to work with elected officials in order to secure funding for resources that would go towards quality assistance to citizens. She also wants to revitalize neighborhoods through mowing and landscaping. Doing so could help decrease violence and increase safety and morale, she said.

"I want to promote more labor and workforce development programs," said Crews. "Workforce development can help community members achieve economic independence. By working together, we can prioritize programs that increase educational attainment, help individuals gain new skills or re-skill for a new job, and ensure that all of these programs are accessible and inclusive."

Crews also wants to increase civic engagement by encouraging citizens to attend local government meetings and community cleanups, among other events. She believes that she'd be "a good middleman" between citizens and the local government, to help increase mutual trust. Henderson already has many resources for its citizens, which they might not be aware of, and she wants to shine a light on them.

Clementine Hunter assured listeners that she would say a little, not a lot. A candidate for Ward 1 once before, Hunter has served on the Vance County School Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

As for her platform, she said she wouldn't share what she plans to do or not do should she be elected.

"Elect me," she said, "and you will see. I do not profess to have a platform, I simply keep a checklist that I update from time to time."

Items on that checklist include affordable, livable housing, economic development, employment opportunities and jobs, healthcare and safety.

"I'm beginning to sound like a broken record," she said of her goals, "and that is a good thing."

When she is elected, she said confidently, she'll bring years of work and life experiences that will help "shine a light" on how far Henderson can go.

Corey Pearson has served his country through law enforcement education and is now the co-owner of Sadie's Coffee Corner, as well as other real estate. His father, Dr. Stephen Pearson, a prominent leader in downtown Henderson, passed away in 2021.

"I felt that I had to pick up the torch," said Pearson, "and continue his efforts with this beautiful city that we have here."

He believes in better housing, accountability for housing that falls through the cracks to ensure that "everybody is looked out for," small businesses and spending money locally.

Whether or not he's elected, Pearson promised, he plans on continuing to carry the torch his father left to him.

Ward 2

Mike Rainey, the incumbent councilman in this race, has lived in the city since 1951.

"I'm aware of the problems that we have facing us today," he said. "And, just as soon as we get one under control, another crops up."

Crime has always been a problem, the biggest of which is "catching it and doing something about it," he said.

"The housing could be much better," he said. "It could be more affordable and more controlled in what people have to put up with to live in these subsidized homes."

Addressing the crowd next, he said voters will have a tough job when it comes time to vote as everyone on the ballot has good ideas and similar goals. Rainey has served on the city council for 27 years. In that time, he's given it all he had, he said. He hopes to do so for four more years, with the voters' blessing.

Sam Seifert, Maria Parham's associate administrator, recently returned to Henderson after a long time away.

"What I want y'all to know about me," he said, "is that we chose to come back to Henderson."

He wanted to raise his two children in a smaller community. He and his wife both have "deep roots" in the town, having family here. Since returning, he has "hit the ground running." He's a member of the Rotary Club, an employee at the "community oriented" Maria Parham Health and a recent graduate of Leadership Vance, which was an "eye-opening" experience that inspired him to run.

"I'm running... to serve my hometown and try to do my part," he said, "to help Henderson realize its potential for a brighter future. I think civic engagement, collaboration and effective leadership are vital to harness positive change for our city, our community and our citizens."

He hopes to offer a "fresh perspective" and "good energy" with the ultimate goal of making the city attractive to young families and working professionals. To do so, he wants to shift the citizens' attitudes towards "pride of place" by revitalizing downtown, sprucing up the city's look and stimulating job growth for the benefit of every citizen.

Janice Ward, longtime owner and operator of Advantage Care In-Home Services, has a platform focused on diversity and fairness.

"Diversity is our strength," she said, "and fairness is the cornerstone of a just society. I firmly believe that Henderson's true potential can only be realized by celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and perspectives that our residents bring to the table."

Her interests are breaking barriers, cultural celebrations, educational equity and equal opportunities for all.

"I just believe that, when we can come together, no matter where we come from, we can be a better people," she said.

If elected, she'd continue her daily work. In the 20 years her and her husband have operated Advantage Care, they've employed around 150 to 200 people. During the pandemic, she went out of her way to ensure the company would stay in operation.

"I don't mind getting down and dirty and doing what I need to do to get the job done," she said. She wants to bring the attitude with which she operates Advantage Care to representing the citizens in her ward.

Ward 3 At-Large

Kory Franklin, a family man and 12-year resident of Henderson, is interested in small business development and consulting.

"I spoke with my family, I spoke with my mentors," said Franklin, "and I saw that there are some things that need to be addressed in the city. But, I think we need to understand how we all have to work together, as one city, one people, to move forward."

Those things that need addressing are economic and housing development, education, safety and jobs, with a particular focus on accountability.

At the end of the day, he enjoys helping people. His loved ones joke that he never rests when something needs doing.

"If I see somebody on the side of the road that needs help, I pull over and help," he said. "... I'm not better than anybody, I'm just different."

Michael Venable, self-proclaimed "son of the city" as well as a member of the Redevelopment Commission's board among other local boards, says he has the experience needed to represent his ward.

"Serving on boards and dealing with government," he said, "it's nothing new to me."

Two of his primary concerns are social and economic development. "That can be wide," he said. Substance abuse, homelessness and crime are the three things that need addressing in order to improve Henderson.

A landlord and small business owner, he wants to help his fellow citizens understand their local government. He would have an open-door policy all year-round if elected.

Michelle Wood came to her decision to run through God. She was wondering what to do after hitting 50 years of age — shortly after, she found out the Ward 3 seat was open.

"I gladly accepted that from the Lord," she said. "I'm like a lot of you. I want equality, I want safety, I want really good housing and I want everybody to be united."

Attending local government meetings inspired her as well.

A united front of diverse people is needed to greatly improve Henderson. Many of its citizens have the same problems.

"I want people to be heard," she said. "... Henderson is a great place, it just has a long way to go," she said. "Yes, there is some division here, but I think we can bring it back together."

Ward 4 At-Large

It is unclear whether George Daye is running, though his name will still appear on the ballot. He could not be reached for comment by the time of publication and was not present at the forum.

Lora Durham was reached, but unable to discuss her candidacy by the time of publication; nor was she present for the forum.

Tami Walker, a retired veteran, retired Vance County Schools employee, humanitarian and longtime county resident, entered the race in order to serve her community and having served her country.

"If I am elected... I will continue to be a team member, to be all-inclusive and to listen to my community, so they can bring their issues to me," she said, "and hopefully, together, we can find some resolution. It's just quite simple to me."

Walker advocated for senior citizens, saying they still need resources, and will continue to do so in the future.

Whether or not she wins, Walker plans on continuing to feed senior citizens, visit those shut-in to their homes, rescuing animals and loving Vance County.

"I am just asking the community to look at my communication skills, my love of the community," she said. "You've trusted me as a soldier, you've trusted me with your children, at-risk children and older children at Kittrell Job Corps. Now you trust me with your senior citizens and your veterans."

If elected, she promises her door will remain open and she'd be transparent.

Though not without its flaws, Henderson has some "great people."

"I look forward to focusing on the future of Henderson," she said.

Voting

Absentee voting by mail began on Sept. 8. State Absentee Ballot Request forms are available at the Board of Elections office at 300 South Garnett Street, at ncsbe.gov or via mail by request from the BOE. The deadline for requesting ballots by mail is Oct. 8. The deadline for in-person requests, for sick and disabled voters, is Oct. 10. The deadline to return an absentee ballot my mail is Oct. 13.

Voters can fulfill their civic duty in person this Thursday, Sept. 21. One-stop voting starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Dr. Andrea L. Harris Operations and Service Center at 900 South Beckford Drive. And it ends on Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. Those who missed the voter registration deadline on Sept. 15 may register in-person on Thursday.

Make sure to bring a valid photo ID in order to vote or register. Alternatively, vote with a provisional ballot, then bring an ID to the BOE by Oct. 16, or fill out an ID exception form.