Meet the candidates: New Hanover Board of Commissioners
Four candidates are running for two seats on New Hanover County's Board of Commissioners.
The candidates − two Democrats and two Republicans − advanced to November's general election after winning the top two spots in each of the party's May primaries. The candidates are running to fill the seats of board chair Julia Olson-Boseman and commissioner Rob Zapple, both Democrats, whose terms are expiring later this year.
Zapple is running in the general election for a seat on the board of commissioners, but Olson-Boseman didn't advance to November's general election after coming in third in the Democratic primary.
Olson-Boseman's departure opens the possibility of a shift on the board from a Democratic to a Republican majority in November's polls − a realignment of local political powers as the county continues wrestling with the most urgent development and housing issues in decades.
Voters in New Hanover County have three options to cast a vote in this year's municipal election. Residents can vote before Election Day by mailing in an absentee vote or casting their vote during the One-Stop or Early Voting period, which begins Oct. 20 and ends Nov. 5.
Voters can also cast their ballots on Election Day, which is Nov. 8.
LeAnn Pierce
Age: 54
Occupation: Hotel owner for 28 years
Family: Two sons, ages 26 and 30
Education: Bachelor of Science in biology from East Carolina University, certified in business and technical communications from East Carolina University
Political affiliation: Republican
Travis Robinson
Age: 58
Occupation: Retired deputy sheriff lieutenant
Family: Wife Kim, son Collin and daughter Carlee
Education: Cape Fear Community College
Political affiliation: Democrat
Tom Toby
Age: 51
Occupation: Small business owner
Family: Married 22 years, one son
Education: Associates degree in mechanical drafting and design from Cape Fear Community College in 1993
Political affiliation: Republican
Rob Zapple
Age: 70
Occupation: Contractor and county commissioner
Family: Married for 38 years, wife Michele, three children, five grandchildren
Education: University of Virginia, Bachelor of Arts
Political affiliation: Democrat
What are the top three issues facing New Hanover County?
Pierce: Top issues facing New Hanover County are balancing smart growth with proper infrastructure and open space, lack of affordable housing and issues within our school system. I would also add that we must continue to address crime in our county and restore the confidence of our citizens with our county commission. Our county commission must work as a team with all municipalities of New Hanover County, its school board, and citizens to address these issues for the betterment of our county.
Robinson: Lack of affordable housing - I will ensure projects are designed for the right land use within our Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Plan NHC model. I will continue partnerships with organizations that work to develop workforce housing. Accessible and affordable healthcare - I will continue to work on getting land donations for privately-funded clinics and work with state and federal officials to expand Medicaid. Safer and funded schools - I will ensure adequate funding is provided for children to attend school, from Pre-K to community college. I will ensure trained law enforcement are in every school armed with the equipment to respond to various emergencies.
Toby: We held a nonscientific survey of constituents, and the top three concerns in order were: 1. Overcrowding and over-development. 2. School issues, including education, safety and banning any Critical Race Theory or Equity Diversity and Inclusion curriculums. 3. Two-way tie between massive issues with Novant hospital and our drug and homeless issues.
Zapple: 1. Managing the growth of New Hanover County. 2. Protecting our environment, including clean drinking water. 3. Affordable housing and education funding.
If elected, how will you represent the issues most important to residents?
Pierce: Improvements in communication can go a long way. I plan to regularly seek feedback from not only the stakeholder groups but also from every citizen who wants to make their voice known. I pledge to be easy to reach and responsive to the people of New Hanover. Quality of life is so important. Our growth and expansion will only be an achievement if the county continues to be beautiful and livable. I will seek the factual input needed to make informed decisions. My vision is a government of transparency and good character, geared toward common sense and consensus building.
Robinson: Having listened to a variety of citizens on many subjects, I will take all of that into consideration as well as work with the four other commissioners to get our work done. I am true to my word and will use that and common sense in all matters brought before me while I serve.
Toby: By bringing the issues to the forefront and trying to actually deal with them instead of indefinitely tabling or ignoring them.
Zapple: 1. Managing the growth of New Hanover County through land use ordinances that focus on increasing density in the undeveloped portions of the county, providing more affordable housing options, protecting our environment through funding for flooding, beach nourishment, and inlet dredging projects, and ensuring clean drinking water. 2. Funding for a high-performing public education system from Pre-K through Community College with measurable results and increased funding for Pre-K education. 3. Support for addressing the opioid and substance use disorders that affect our community, and support for measures that will make our streets and schools safer, and providing more mental and behavioral health resources.
As the county’s population climbs, how will you approach managing this growth?
Pierce: We can only grow with the proper infrastructure to support it. If we are to navigate out of the affordable housing crisis, we must find creative housing options that also preserve our county’s natural character and beauty. New Hanover County has become such a desirable place to live because of this character. We need creative housing options in the locations that make sense, not in places where the traffic infrastructure is already strained. As new housing units are built, it must be a priority to make sure our roads and utility infrastructure are ready for that growth.
Robinson: With our area attracting people to come visit, work and now live here, we have to accept the coming and going will fluctuate. We must look at plans that were long thought our process to consider and review when decisions are being made that will affect a lot of citizens, not just our five board members. Basically, seeing what type of community or projects is being considered and referring to these documents for aid and clarity will help most of our decisions in the long run. I will encourage development that allows for walking, biking and use of public transportation.
Toby: The key to managing growth, to me, lies in density of approved projects. Current growth is out of balance, with our ability to manage it. The results of our survey shows that, with overdevelopment being the primary concern on most people’s mind.
Zapple: The growth that we have been experiencing over the past 30-plus years is positive. As we face a dwindling supply of land, it is important to make forward-looking decisions that will maximize the use of our existing acreage, while balancing development with policies that protect our established neighborhoods, strengthen public safety, support improved public transportation, insure high-quality and high-performing public schools and maintain adequate open space - parks and amenities - that will enhance and protect our unique coastal environment and the quality of life that attracts many of our new homebuyers and businesses to New Hanover County.
How will you approach rezoning requests and proposed developments that come before the Board of Commissioners?
Pierce: I believe we should take a common sense approach when presented with conditional zoning requests. Does the proposed project make sense for the location and its surroundings? Does it create more housing opportunities for a wide group of people? Does it make effort to protect natural features? These are the priorities I’ll use when considering conditional rezoning requests. With housing being a supply and demand issue, the only way out of an affordable housing crisis is the creation of residential housing units. We must do this in a way that protects private property rights but also preserves our county’s character and beauty.
Robinson: I would have confidence and faith in county staff who receive these initial requests to bring the best researched options or solutions on each project to us to make any decisions. With that significant leg work being done on the front end, it will allow us to offer a more timely and informed decision on a case by case basis.
Toby: I will consider what the benefit and cost of a rezoning request will be to the citizens and taxpayers. I will look to see if the rezoning request for the project fits with the area surrounding the proposed project. I will also look at what the overall impact to the area will be, both positive and negative.
Zapple: In the same manner that I have over the past 8 years, on a case by case basis – educating myself on the rezoning or development request by doing research, listening carefully to all points of views, including our county staff, my fellow commissioners, the applicants, adjacent neighbors, advocates in our community and, whenever possible, visiting the site of the proposed rezoning or development. Finally, making an informed, independent decision.
What qualities make you the best candidate?
Pierce: I’m a consensus builder, and that’s what our county needs right now. Having served as a mayor in New Hanover County, I have the skills to find common ground at the negotiating table when not everyone came into the room agreeing with one another. I’ve led many tough conversations involving our federal and state partners, MOTSU (Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point) and commissioners where we were able to come together with different perspectives. I believe my time as mayor developed my ability to make our county a better place by opening up the lines of communication in a respectful manner.
Robinson: I will always be open and honest in my dealings with citizens as I was as a 32-year career law enforcement officer and a 45-year county resident. I will strive to remember every day that you are the ones who put your faith and trust in me, and I will live up to my oath and commitment to public service. I will work on providing the transparency that citizens expect while staying within the law. I will strive to faithfully work with the other commissioners and county staff to get the best result for us all, regardless of our party or beliefs.
Toby: I bring 26 years as a local public servant and 12 years of experience as a small business owner to the table. I am a lifelong resident of New Hanover County, and my goal is to preserve New Hanover County for future generations to be able to live and prosper in our great county.
Zapple: Honesty, integrity and experience.
Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Meet the candidates: New Hanover Board of Commissioners
