Sandhills_Sentinel

Sandhills Sentinel spoke with those pursuing Whispering Pines council seats in November. The profiles provide insight regarding the candidates as well as ideas about what they’d like to achieve.

There are two races in Whispering Pines. One race is for two council seats for a two-year term, and the other is for two seats for a four-year term.

All candidates were provided a list of questions that they responded in a phone interview or written form. Their responses may have been lightly edited for brevity, clarity, and grammatical corrections. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Andy Conway:

How long have you lived in the area?

I moved to Whispering Pines in 1981. I basically grew up in Whispering Pines.

How does your family feel about your run for office?

They’re excited about it. They’re very supportive. People I work with feel it’s a win-win situation, being a county employee.

What’s your occupation?

I’ve been in law enforcement for 22 years.

Have you served in any elected or volunteer roles?

I’ve been a member of the Moore County Officers Association for many years. I’m part of the sheriff’s administration.

What about Whispering Pines makes you most proud?

The demographics have changed, but it’s still the same tranquil community. People here are looking for the same things I was looking for. It’s still steadfast in what it is.

If elected, what are your priorities?

It’s ensuring our finances are in order going forward before we tackle other capital projects. We have to ensure, first and foremost, that our infrastructure is maintained to the highest standard.

What areas need the most improvement?

With the debt, there’s a slowing of our growth. Obviously, there are two sides on that issue. Going forward, we’re going to have to address that.

What’s a goal for the first 90 days?

In the first 90 days, I would really like to get a grasp on the budgeting itself. I want to ensure all of our tax dollars are going toward all of the village.

Neil Godfrey:

How long have you lived in the area?

We’ve lived here about 29 years.

How does your family feel about your run for office?

They support me completely.

What’s your occupation?

I spent about 45 years in law enforcement.

Have you served in any elected or volunteer roles?

I was sheriff of Moore County for more than five years.

What about Whispering Pines makes you most proud?

The safe community. We live in one of the safest communities in North Carolina.

If elected, what are your priorities?

To provide the citizens with services without any increase in the tax rate.

What areas need the most improvement?

To provide the services required by law.

What are your goals for the first 90 days?

To resolve any pending issues from the current board. We have a zoning issue that has to be addressed. We also have an issue regarding intersections. We have to keep intersections safe, before something happens.

Pamela Harris:

How does your family feel about your run for office?

I think they’re very supportive. My husband told me to go for it. I go to all the meetings. I have two children, they’re 19 and 22, so I have extra time.

How long have you lived in the area?

We have lived in Whispering Pines for almost 15 years.

Have you served in any elected or volunteer roles?

I haven’t held an elected position, but I was on the board of directors for the March of Dimes in New Mexico. I was a professor at New Mexico State University. After that, I worked for the state of New Mexico. I had to write policies regarding childcare.

What’s your occupation?

I gave up my career when I left New Mexico and moved to North Carolina. My children were young at the time. My husband was active-duty military. I do have a master’s degree in business.

What about Whispering Pines makes you most proud?

When we moved here, I felt like I was taken back in time. I felt safe. I found such a strong sense of community. I loved being here.

If elected, what are your priorities?

I want a council that takes residents’ interests into account. Once something’s gone, you can’t get it back. I want to have an ethical, transparent and accountable village council.

What areas need the most improvement?

Right now, I think a lot of the recent growth has had an impact on infrastructure. The new lots are also causing a lot of runoff. Our taxpayers pay for these repairs.

What are your goals for the first 90 days?

If I get elected, I want to get people to attend the council meetings. People should feel part of the decision-making process. I go (attend the meetings) – and I’m informed – but people need to be there. I love this community.

Dean Kalles:

How long have you lived in the area?

About 4 1/2 years.

How does your family feel about your run for office?

My wife and I are both retired. She supports me 100 percent. We’re excited for a victory.

What’s your occupation?

I was a career firefighter for 37 years in the state of Washington, up near Seattle.

Have you served in any elected or volunteer roles?

I’ve never held an office before, but I tried to get appointed to the council. Back in Washington, I sat on a parks and recreation board. I’ve been involved in politics a long time. I just haven’t held public office.

What about Whispering Pines makes you most proud?

I love the weather. I just love the tranquil and easygoing living conditions. I feel safe.

If elected, what are your priorities?

I have a couple. I want to listen to our residents. We work for them. It’s not my village – it’s our village. Second, I think we need to watch where our money goes. Third, I want to keep and preserve the identity of Whispering Pines.

What areas need the most improvement?

I think fiscal responsibility is the biggest thing we have to change. We have to be open and honest. We’re going to have to rebuild the trust that’s been lost. We need to regain that trust and confidence – and move forward.

What are your goals for the first 90 days?

I want to rebuild the trust and have fiscal responsibility. I want to keep the safe environment we have now. I’m a big proponent of helping guide the direction residents want it to go. I’m a firm believer in democracy.

Alexa Roberts:

How long have you lived in the area?

I have been in Moore County for 20 years now. I’ve lived in Whispering Pines for four years.

How does your family feel about your run for office?

I have an 8-year-old daughter, and she’s excited and proud, as is my husband. I have extended family in the area – and they’re all very supportive.

Have you served in any elected or volunteer roles?

I was appointed to the council in March to fill the vacant seat. This has been my first time serving the public.

What is your occupation?

I had a long career in disability services. Right now, I’m staying home with my child and family.

What are you most proud of in Whispering Pines?

I’m always proud of the way our community comes together. I have loved watching the way everyone helps one another.

If elected, what are your priorities?

I have several. I have a real eye as far as looking for plans. I want to make sure staffs have the plans to implement a vision. As a village, I find it’s important to have a long-range plan in terms of taking care of our infrastructure.

What area needs the most improvement?

Our greatest opportunities for improvement – that we can act on quickly – involve communications. There have been tons of improvements since I joined the board. We’ve also experienced quite a demographic shift in the area. Along with retirees, there are more young families.

What are your goals for the first 90 days in office?

I would love for the council to have an understanding we all are one. We are all going to need to work together. We need to be a cohesive group that will work as a team. I would love for that to be established early on. I love that it’s a non-partisan election.

Tim Venjohn:

How long have you lived in the area?

I moved to the Whispering Pines area in 1996. I grew up in South Dakota. When I got out of the Army, I went to Sandhills Community College. I’ve lived in Moore County since 1989.

How does your family feel about your run for office?

I’m always doing stuff. I have three children, one in college. I’m always doing projects. I find places where I can help others. My wife supports me because it’s what I’ve always been. She’s been encouraging to do something (politically) for years.

What’s your occupation?

I’m a realtor. All I do is help people meet their needs.

Have you served in any elected or volunteer roles?

I’ve chaired every committee we’ve had at the Board of Realtors. I was chairman of the legislative committee (Board of Realtors) for 12 years. I’m currently president of the PTA for Union Pines.

What about Whispering Pines makes you proud?

All of Whispering Pines is great. I spent 26 years in planning and zoning. I love that we are diverse and all love where we live. It’s just peaceful. The leaders in Whispering Pines have done a very good job. It’s just a cool place to live.

If elected, what are your priorities?

We don’t need major changes to keep what we have. I want to work with a team that works well together.

What areas need the most improvement?

There are things we can do to make things better. There are things we’ll have to do. We have to look at the future and find the best way to move things forward.

What’s a goal for the first 90 days?

We don’t have a crisis. We’re in a good place. I’m not there to change the world. I’m really hoping we can create a team that gets things done. I’ve got a lot of experience building teams.

There are three other candidates running. Attempts to contact Glenn Bernhard, Denise Racey and Joe Wincklhofer were unsuccessful.

Early voting has begun and will run through November 1. The election is November 5. You can find more information on the Moore County Board of Elections website.

Courtesy photos: Top to bottom, running left to right: Andy Conway, Neil Godfrey, Pamela Harris, Dean Kalles, Alexa Roberts, and Tim Venjohn.

~Article by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Dave Lukow.

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