Meet candidates for the Gaston County Board of Commissioners' primary election
The following people are running for the Gaston County Board of Commissioners. The Gazette sent each candidate a series of questions about their candidacy.
Name: Scott Shehan
Gastonia Township
Age: 44
Party affiliation: Republican
1. What will your priorities be if you are elected? Less government, lower property taxes, support for law enforcement and first responders, and defending our constitutional rights from government overreach.
2. What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? Small business owner for over 30 years skilled in finance and budgets, involved in multiple civic organizations that promote the betterment of the lives of men, women and especially children, skilled in negotiations and securing contracts, proficient in land management and sustainability
3. What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? Bring full transparency and accountability to the people that deserve it most... the hard working tax paying citizens of Gaston County
4. Why did you decide to run for election? I was frustrated with continuing to hear broken promises and false rhetoric in local governance. It became apparent to me that there was a great need for conservative leaders with integrity and passion for Gaston County and its success. I am here to answer that call.
5. Is this your first time running for election? Yes
6. Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? No
7. What do you do for a living? Small business owner offering landscaping, landscape supply, farming and real estate management
8. What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? Make investments into our infrastructure systems, make investments and expand the career and technical class offerings currently available in Gaston County schools
9. What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? Exponential growth without available supporting infrastructure, along with staffing shortages in all sectors
Name: Howard J Collmar Jr.
Gastonia Township
Age: 61
Party affiliation: Republican
What will your priorities be if you are elected? My priorities upon election will focus on equipping Gaston County's youth for success beyond high school. This entails expanding trades, apprenticeship, and certificate programs in our high schools. By providing different educational pathways, we empower students with practical skills and meet the demands of our local workforce. Success isn't limited to a four-year degree; it's about honoring individual strengths.
What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? My qualifications for this position are rooted in over three decades of entrepreneurial experience. For 31 years, I've successfully owned and operated my business, weathering economic storms without resorting to layoffs. Our track record speaks volumes—27 years of retaining dedicated employees, a testament to my leadership and management skills. I bring a proven ability to unify people toward a shared goal, honed through years of navigating challenges and fostering cohesion within my business. My experience isn't just about managing operations; it's about cultivating a culture of resilience, teamwork, and unwavering dedication to success.
What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? To enhance the quality of life in Gaston County, I will prioritize collaboration with law enforcement, EMS, and firefighters to ensure the utmost safety and security for all residents. By fostering close partnerships and supporting our emergency services, including police, medical responders, and firefighters, we can proactively address community safety concerns and swiftly respond to emergencies. Together, we will implement measures to safeguard neighborhoods, enhance disaster preparedness, and promote a sense of well-being throughout the county. Our commitment to public safety, encompassing all aspects of emergency response, will lay the foundation for a thriving and resilient community where every resident can feel secure and protected.
Why did you decide to run for election? I decided to run for election because of my deep-rooted commitment to public service, spanning 37 years of dedicated involvement within our community. Throughout my tenure, I've worked closely with families from all walks of life, understanding their needs and aspirations firsthand. This extensive experience has equipped me with proven skills to unite diverse groups toward common goals. My decision to run is driven by a steadfast belief in the power of effective leadership to enact positive change and improve the lives of those we serve. I am ready to leverage my expertise and passion to continue serving our community with integrity and dedication.
Is this your first time running for election? Yes, it is my first time running for a public position.
Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? Yes, I have held elected positions in the past. I served as the President of Union Road Optimist and have been the President of Carolinas Pop Warner for the past 16 years. Additionally, in 2023, I was appointed Vice Regional Director for Mid-South Pop Warner, overseeing operations in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama. These roles reflect my longstanding dedication to community leadership and youth development within the oldest youth sports organization in the United States.
What do you do for a living? I am a small business owner with over 30 years of experience.
What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? To boost the economy of Gaston County, I'd start by teaming up with our local small businesses. With my own experience as a small business owner for over 30 years, I know the ropes. We'll work together, plain and simple, to figure out what they need to grow and thrive. No fancy talk needed. It's about rolling up our sleeves, getting down to business, and making sure our local economy is humming. By backing our small businesses, we can create more jobs, put money in folks' pockets, and build a stronger Gaston County for everyone.
What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? The biggest issue facing Gaston County right now, from where I stand, is the burden of taxes. Folks are feeling the squeeze, and it's hitting hard. We need to ease that pressure, plain and simple. But that's not all. We've got to work together and tackle other challenges too, like making sure our youth have the opportunities they deserve, cutting out wasteful spending wherever we find it, and keeping a lid on crime as our community grows. It's a lot on our plate, but with the right approach and a little elbow grease, I believe we can overcome these hurdles and make Gaston County even stronger.
Name: Sharlene Mullings
Gastonia Township
Age: n/a
Party: Democratic
What will your priorities be if you are elected? If elected, I plan to ensure that the concerns and opinions of residents are heard and considered when I make decisions. I will ensure that resources are allocated wisely to meet the needs of the community without unnecessary waste. I will prioritize health initiatives, especially during times of crisis, and work towards improving access to healthcare services. I plan to work to stimulate economic growth within the county, attract businesses, and create job opportunities for residents. Lastly, I plan to work collaboratively with agencies, as well as neighboring counties, to address challenges and leverage resources for the benefit of the community.
2. What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? I bring a strong background in community engagement, responsibility, and strategic planning. As the Founder and Executive Director of Unity 4 Us Community Outreach, an organization that provides emergency housing for women in Gaston County, I work to increase the positive outcomes of those facing homelessness on a daily basis. I am also a certified mental and substance abuse life coach, so I understand the complexities of the addiction crisis our county is facing. I'm committed to representing the needs and interests of Gaston County residents while ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.
3. What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? As a county commissioner, I will prioritize providing more resources for those who are recovering and the homeless population, building more community houses and shelters. I will also work to expand access to health resources, and I'll look for creative ways to bring more job opportunities to Gaston County.
4. Why did you decide to run for election? I decided to run for Gaston County Commissioner because I care about the community and all of the residents. I want to make sure that not only is my voice heard but also the voice of the residents. All residents deserve access to the basic needs of life including affordable housing and medical care and good paying jobs. I’m also running for election because I witnessed a lot of discrimination during my outreach efforts in the county. I want to stop discrimination and advocate for all residents to be treated fairly and given equal opportunities despite their past mistakes.
5. Is this your first time running for election? Yes
6. Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? No7. What do you do for a living? I am Healthcare Coordinator and the Founder of Unity 4 Us Community Outreach, Inc. a nonprofit which serves those in need of food, clothing, housing, and community research in Gaston County. To date, we have helped over 100 women in need find resources to improve their lives. I am also committed to ministering about rehabilitation and redemption in Gaston County jail and provide community service hours to reduce the risk of repeat offenders.
8. What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? To improve the economy of Gaston County, I plan to: develop targeted strategies that attract new businesses to align with the vision of the community, implement policies and incentives that retain existing businesses and encourage their expansion, invest in education and training programs that ensure that the workforce has the necessary skills for emerging industries, collaborate with educational institutions to align the curricula with the needs of the job market, and engage the community in economic development initiatives through town hall meetings, surveys, and public forums. Lastly, I will ensure that the economic development plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the residents.
9. What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? The biggest issues that Gaston County is facing right now are homelessness, the lack of affordable housing, a low minimum wage, high taxes, education, and the opioid crisis. When I am elected as Gaston County Commissioner, these are the areas where I would like to focus my attention, working with the community to make this County better for us all. I am for the people!
Name: Marc Seelinger
Southpoint Township
Age: 34
Party: Republican
What will your priorities be if you are elected? It is important that the County Commissioners prioritize funding for things that are needs over things that are wants so that our residents have the low taxes and high-quality services that they expect. Right now, there are critical needs in funding for our schools, our police & sheriff’s office, and our first responders – including the county’s volunteer fire departments and EMS. Meanwhile, the county has committed $5 million in funding for parking at FUSE. Budgets are ultimately about choices, and I will choose to fund these critical services over the non-essential projects that the county has lately gotten involved in.
2. What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? I own and operate Marco’s Pizza locations in Gaston and Mecklenburg counties, employing about 50 people across our two locations. I also served on the Belmont City Council and as mayor of Belmont. As a small business owner who has also served as an elected official, I bring a business perspective to budgeting and finance that is extremely valuable, because it is something that I do every day. During my term in Belmont, I successfully fought for two tax cuts and identified an additional $2 million in budget savings that we were able to give back to our residents.
3. What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? Well-staffed and well-equipped schools, law enforcement, and first responders are critical to making Gaston County a place where people can live and thrive. Unfortunately, as the county has grown, the resources provided to these three critical areas have not kept pace and, the people providing these necessary services have increasingly been asked to do more with less. Gaston County has enormous potential, but it must become much more proactive in managing the growth that is surging through our area.
4. Why did you decide to run for election? I have become increasingly disturbed by the County Commission’s inability to use the tools and resources available to it to manage growth in a proactive and responsible way. In particular, the county has many long-standing issues in the areas of transportation and infrastructure. These problems can only be solved through creative partnerships between the county, the cities & towns, and the private sector. The current representation on the commission is not able to do that, and the citizens of this county need someone who is willing to fight for them if we are to make any headway on these problems.
5. Is this your first time running for election? This is my first time running for the County Commission.
6. Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? I was previously elected to the Belmont City Council in 2019. In 2023, I also served as mayor of Belmont following the retirement of Belmont’s previous mayor.
7. What do you do for a living? I own and operate two Marco’s Pizza locations in the area. I have also worked in the insurance industry for about 10 years with a specialization in data analytics.
8. What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? The county has had a lot of success in recruiting large, industrial companies to our area, but more attention needs to be given to the small businesses that form such an indispensable part of our local communities. As a small business owner, I know that many small businesses are still reeling from the aftershocks of the last few years and are struggling to keep their doors open. The county needs to help stabilize these businesses and incentivize them to grow and expand. Gaston County wouldn’t be what it is without its small businesses, and right now, they need help.
9. What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? The county has to make sure that property taxes are affordable. It is very disheartening to hear stories about long-time residents who are forced out of their homes because they can no longer afford their tax bills. At the same time, we have to make sure that every dollar the county collects is spent effectively and responsibly. With a $300 million budget, the county is collecting plenty of money, it is simply a matter of prioritizing critical needs over wants. This was a mindset that I successfully championed in Belmont, and I intend to do the same for the county.
Name: Tod Kinlaw
South Point Township
Age: 55
Party affiliation: Republican
What will your priorities be if you are elected? Economic Development / Fiscal Responsibility / Budgeting / Public Safety / Infrastructure and Services
What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? As a current BOE member, I have a proven record to promote transparency and stand on the side of truth. As your commissioner, I will continue to be an advocate for the citizens of Gaston County in all aspects. Truth, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability and Christian Conservative values are my qualities.
What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? I will fight for lower taxes, good schools, a cloak of security that makes the citizens feel safe and make Gaston County a place to work, play, worship and stay. I will not hide should I make a mistake. I will not run from controversial topics. I will be accountable to every citizen in Gaston County. I will also be transparent and trustworthy. I will always do the right thing, no matter the consequences.
Why did you decide to run for election? I unquestionably love this county. I am convinced we can do better as a commission to make this accomplished county the absolute best place to live, work, worship, play and stay in the entire state. In addition, I wanted to make sure my children have the same opportunities in Gaston County as I do. I know what it takes. The time for my leadership is now.
Is this your first time running for election? Yes and No. It is my first time running in the County Commissioner race. I ran for the Gaston County Board of Education from the South Point Township in November 2022.
Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? I am the current (2022-2026) Gaston County Schools Board of Education representative from the South Point Township.
What do you do for a living? Professional Drywall Sales Representative in the Charlotte market.
What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? Land banking to ensure we have shovel ready sites for economic development. We need to make sure education system continues in a positive direction to have a workforce ready to work whether it be after high school, community college/trade school, four-year university or military. We need to continue to invest in our citizens to offer them jobs that will allow them to live, play and stay in our county.
What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? Our jail. It is being overrun due to the open southern border. The fentanyl problem is causing crime to escalate due to infighting by folks who can’t get clean. We have many out-of-town gangs coming here to prey on our citizen’s. Our essential services are being decimated by citizens who are over dosing and/or dying from the drug pandemic. The crime associated with the drug trade/use is another major issue for Gaston County.
Name: Ronnie Worley
South Point Township
Age: 58
Party affiliation: Republican
What will your priorities be if you are elected? Economic development and continued job growth. We have been very successful in recruiting businesses to Gaston County with more than a billion dollars invested and more than 2,000 jobs in the last 4 years. School construction is also a priority, along with increasing pay for teachers. I have supported increasing the teacher supplemental pay every year I have been on the board. Public safety is also a key priority. We have to provide the resources to our first responders to ensure our citizens and communities are safe.
What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? I am a veteran and retired law enforcement officer. I have served on the Cramerton Board of Commissioners, two terms as mayor of Cramerton and currently in my second term as the South Point township commissioner.
What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? To work on the priorities that I stated above and work with our legislative leaders to advocate for transportation funding for our county as transportation is a key issue for our communities.
Why did you decide to run for election? I have spent a lifetime of public service, from my military service to my career with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, my time as mayor and County Commissioner. I believe in serving others and consider it as a privilege and a responsibility.
Is this your first time running for election? No
Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? Cramerton Commissioner, Cramerton Mayor and County Commissioner.
What do you do for a living? I am retired from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. I teach drivers education in the Gaston County Schools part time.
What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? I have answered this previously, but will continue to support our Economic Development department in recruiting new businesses for our county and work to support our many small and existing businesses in our county.
What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? Our county is growing rapidly and with growth comes many challenges to our schools, roads, and demand for services. I will work with all our partners local, state, and federal agencies to meet these challenges for the best possible outcome. I thank the citizens of Gaston County for the opportunity to serve as their County Commissioner.
Name: Jim Bailey
South Point Township
Age: n/a
Party: Republican
What will your priorities be if you are elected? My main priorities will be to lower the tax rate by cutting every budget in the county except for the schools and public safety. I would like to work with the school board and local business owners to bring trade classes back into schools. This will give high school students other options than college to learn a lifetime skill. I will also try to freeze or reduce property taxes for homeowners over the age of 70 and on a fixed income.
What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? I am a retired (veteran) MSgt from the US Air force/Air National Guard and retired Captain from the Gaston County Sheriff’s (15 years on command staff). I have graduated from numerous leadership and management schools, including Air Force NCO Academy, Senior NCO Academy, and the FBI National Academy (where I worked on graduate level studies through UVA). I have worked on county budgets the time I was on Command Staff as well as negotiating Federal and State contracts for the Sheriff’s Office. I implemented many programs at the Sheriff’s Office including the 287g program, Drug interdiction programs and many others.
What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? I have lived in Gaston County my entire life except for the 10 years that I was on active duty military. This county has changed dramatically, with have less job opportunities, poor education in the public schools, failing infrastructure, and leadership that does not care about its citizens. I will try my best to change that by sitting down with local business owners, citizens and other commissioners to face these problems held on. This involves everyone, not just me telling people what I think. As county commissioners we work for the people.
Why did you decide to run for election? After the last home revaluation, when I talked to some of the county commissioners and they either treated you like you didn’t know what you were talking about, or just didn’t tell you the truth, my wife told me to either do something about it or be quiet. The more I started looking at the way the commissioners were doing business, the more I noticed things that were against basic conservative values. I talked to my family and church family and prayed about it. Everyone encouraged me to bring Christian Conservative values back to the board.
Is this your first time running for election? Yes, this is the first time for running for any office. I have worked under two elected officials at the Sheriff’s Office and learned how the county government and budgets work. I was part of many budget workshops, work sessions and presentations. One of the most important things that I have learned through the years was that you cannot do everything yourself. As a leader, you find the best and most qualified people for a position and let them do their job. Then stand by them, because you put them in that position.
Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? N/A
What do you do for a living? I currently work for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association as the Training Coordinator in the Executive Security Division. I hold state instructor certifications through PPSB (Private Protective Services Board) in numerous areas to keep personnel all over the state of North Carolina able work and secure facilities run by BGEA and Samaritans Purse.
What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? When you talk about improving the economy in Gaston County, many areas must be looked at, including infrastructure, business opportunity, training for workers and community buy-in. Businesses are not going to be interested in Gaston County unless the proper infrastructure is in place including water, sewer and roads. This feeds into business opportunity as well as trained workers, where we need to start at the High School level to train students in a trade skill. Then everyone needs to sit down and discuss what would be best for our communities.
What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? In my personal opinion, leadership is our biggest problem. Companies are coming into Gaston County building houses, not to sell but rent. This doesn’t help Gaston County, this helps the companies that are not even located in Gaston County. The Commissioners seated now, keep rubber stamping every project that comes across their desk. We need to stand up for the citizens of Gaston County, and bring manufacturing business and trade back. Not being a hub or suburb to Mecklenburg County, because that is what we are becoming.
Name: Blair Hall
Crowders Mountain Township
Age: 59
Party affiliation: Republican
What will your priorities be if you are elected? My priorities when I am elected will be to insure that teachers are paid at a rate equal to the state average. Our Public Safety will be funded at a level where officers, firefighters and EMS will have the needed equipment and personnel to be safely respond to calls for service.
2. What qualifications or qualities do you bring to the position? My qualifications and qualities are, I know that I am not the smartest person in the room, which is why I surround myself with smart people. I am a US Marine and a Retired Gaston County Police Officer. I bring those sets of leadership methods to the position.
3. What will you do to make Gaston County a better place to live? Gaston County is a great place to live, work and play. As a county commissioner our role is ensure that taxes are kept in check and we are providing an accurate tax value for our commercial and private properties. The county does not maintain roads although they could develop plans to work with other agencies or municipalities to provide water to the unincorporated are of the county without increasing the tax burden to the citizens.
4. Why did you decide to run for election? I decided to run for the Crowder’s Mountain Township Commissioner seat due to the over inflated property revaluation done on our property. I also ran due to the over population that is being done to eastern portion of Gaston County. We need to slow down the issuance of building permits and work with planners and developers to make sure there is adequate infrastructure available before turning dirt. Prior to approving development there needs to be road impact studies conducted as well as school impact studies conducted, then plans put in place to deal with the roads and school impacts.
5. Is this your first time running for election? This is my first time running.
6. Have you held elected office in the past, and if so, when and what office? I have never held an elected position.
7. What do you do for a living? I and a retired Gaston County Police Sgt. And I currently work for the Gaston County Schools as the Safety and Security Specialist.
8. What action, if any, would you take to improve the economy of Gaston County? As a Gaston County Commissioner I would work with the planning and development teams to develop programs and initiatives to bring large employers to Gaston County.
9. What is the biggest issue you feel Gaston County is facing right now? We say that we need to have shovel ready sites so we can attract business to Gaston County. I believe that we need to have an educated workforce in Gaston County that will attract business that employee more than thirty workers. Under the Gaston County Commissioners Goals and Objectives page it states: that the Gaston County Commissioners will work with the Gaston County School Board and Gaston College to provide a quality education. How can you provide a quality education without motivated and dedicated teachers? How do we recruit and retain teachers if we don’t pay them. Gaston County teachers are $2142.00 below the state average in supplement pay.
Commissioner Allen Fraley of Cherryville Township and Commissioner Bob Hovis of Crowders Mountain Township did not respond to The Gazette's questions.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Meet candidates for the Gaston County Board of Commissioners
