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Send us your news Public Service Announcement Submit Advertising Classified Advertising Issue Archives 18 October 2007 |
Mayoral candidates focus on growth, crime
By Sarah A. Wise
NL Staff Writer
25 October 2007 — As election day draws closer, most of the focus in Fremont is on the three-way race for mayor. Amy Price and Darron Flowers will go up against incumbent Devone Jones, who is seeking a third term.
Mayor Jones said that his primary reason for seeking another term is to continue to work with the people of the town, and to see through several projects that have started under his administration.
He feels the town has made impressive progress on many projects in the past few years, including the sewer rehabilitation and the work on the local library. As he looks ahead to the next four years, he would like to see the town focus on several other issues as they wrap up those projects.
Mayor Jones said he feels the town needs to continue to fight the drug and gang problems that the town has struggled with.
"The new chief is doing a good job, but we've still got a ways to go," he said. "We've got to work on a few things."
In general, he continued, he would like to see an improved image for the town.
"We're doing some things to make the town look better, but I'd really like to see the town get some industry," he said.
Specifically, he wants to encourage industry along the Highway 117 bypass.
"I'd like to see some fast food places, some gas stations," he said. "All that land is just waiting there. I would like to see people stop into Fremont and contribute to the economy here."
He said he would continue to research options to help fund economic development in the area.
But most importantly, he would continue to solicit the help of Fremont's citizens in accomplishing town goals.
"You can't do stuff by yourself," he said. "I love to see the people in Fremont getting excited to help. Getting involved in your town is a good thing, because it helps you too."
Darron Flowers agrees with Mr. Jones on several of the key issues in town. He too sees improving the image of Fremont as a key issue facing the board.
Mr. Flowers said he would like to see the image of the town improve, both physically and in the mind of others in the county.
"Fremont seems to be an afterthought in the county, and I would like to see us take a positive approach in changing that," he said.
As for the issue of drugs, he said he feels that the problem extends beyond the city limits of Fremont.
"I think there's a county-wide problem with drugs," he said. "We need to address it, but it's not an isolated issue. It's going to take cooperation from the town, county, and state."
If elected mayor, Mr. Flowers said he doesn't think he would do a great deal differently.
"If any individual is running for office and makes a commitment to what he will do if elected, he is overly ambitious," he said. "You have to have in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of the board. The answer only comes when you get more involved."
Amy Price agrees that before she can say what she would or wouldn't do differently, she would have to start working with the rest of the board.
"I would have to get in there first and see what needs to be done from there," she said.
Mrs. Price said her motivation for running is that she feels the town needs to see a change.
"I think we need a new voice, a new way of looking at things from a different perspective," she said.
She agrees with Mr. Jones that, although the drug problem in Fremont is being addressed by the police department, she feels that more could be done.
"More needs to be done, but they are trying to find a solution."
She feels that crime and sewer issues are currently the biggest problems facing the town.
In addition to the mayoral race, all of the alderman's seats are up for election this year. However, the only contested race in this year's election is for District 1. Newcomer Al Lewis will challenge incumbent Billy Harvey.
Mr. Lewis feels he is a good candidate for the position because he is simply an honest person, and he says that if elected he would aim to be fair and just in all of his dealings with the board and the town.
He feels that the biggest issues facing the town of Fremont are high utility bills and limited industry opportunities.
"We don't have very many places of work here, and I think we need to get more industry in here," he said.
He said that he also sees Fremont as a good town, overall.
"There is some trouble, but overall it's a pretty quiet town," he said. He feels that increased police patrol would help eliminate the crime in town.
But like the other newcomers to the race, Mr. Lewis said he feels that he won't really get a handle on how to best help Fremont except from a seat at the aldermen's table.
Mr. Harvey is running for a third term as the representative for District 1. Incumbents W.T. Smith, Leon Mooring, Leroy Ruffin, Annie Lewis, and Harold Cuddington are all running unopposed.
Issue of 25 October 2007 Headlines Tale of transformation leads to giving Fremont's mayoral candidates focus on growth, crime Red Ribbon events at local schools Drought delays sewer fix benefits Heating assistance for Wilson residents Football: CBA falls to Hunt Soccer: CBA still perfect Wayne Wilson News Leader Princeton News Leader Email us: |
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