County Commissioner At-Large Race-- Sawyer/Proctor

At the forum sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro last night, the candidates for the at-large seat on the Board of County Commissioners were to attend and participate.  Unfortunately, when they were called to the front, only one candidate-- Joe Rahenkamp-- was present.  I was hoping to hear an interesting discussion, and learn the candidates' positions more fully.  Unfortunately, that would not happen, so I left at that point.

The race has already generated some discussion at this blog and elsewhere because one of the candidates-- Rudy Binder-- is a developer who has sought and secured the endorsement of the Simkins PAC.  The PAC, of course, is Skip Alston's power base on the Board of County Commissioners.   

There are two other credible candidates in the race-- Wendell Sawyer and Larry Proctor, neither of whom, as far as I can tell, is beholden to the Simkins PAC or to development interests.

Wendell, a local attorney, is a long-time commenter at this blog, and has made some insightful contributions here regarding local politics and political history.  He is a former state senator.  He is a strong conservative who wants to reduce county taxes and hold the line on spending.  He feels so strongly about this that he even opposes the jail bond. 

Larry Proctor owns a local business and has been chairman of the Guilford County Planning Board.  According to a direct mail piece I received from his campaign, he wants to end tax increases, promote smart growth and emphasize crime and public safety.   I had a chance to meet Larry briefly at the Fred Smith rally. 

I have enormous esteem for Wendell because we go back quite some time on this blog, and I will be voting for him.  He would be very good at representing conservative principles on the Board of County Commissioners. 

Again, my recommendations in this race are Wendell Sawyer and Larry Proctor.   

Comments

[Wendell Sawyer]

Joe:

Once again, I thank you for your kind words of support.

I know that some conservatives criticize me for not aggressively campaigning like they think that I should. John Hammer, for example, who admits that I am a "good solid conservative" who "could make an excellent commissioner..." claims that I won't campaign.

Unfortunately, John Hammer and some others have misunderstood my campaign strategy in this primary election for commissioner. As you know, unlike the other GOP at-large candidates for commissioner, I have been actively involved in Republican politics in Guilford County for over 26 years.

At the tender, young age of 33-years-old, I was elected to the N. C. Senate from Guilford County in 1984 and I served in the General Assembly during the 1985-86 sessions. Since that time, I have been the Republican nominee for District Attorney three times (I won a tough GOP primary election for DA in 2002).

Unlike my opponents, I have been elected to office and I have won three GOP primary elections in Guilford County. Also, unlike my major opponents, I have made a stand against ALL of the bonds that are on the ballot next week. And, unlike my major opponents, I have clearly stated my position that I want to REDUCE the property tax rate, not merely “hold the line.”

I was invited to attend a meeting of the Simkins PAC to seek the PAC’s endorsement. I did not attend the meeting and was not endorsed by the PAC.

It is my belief that the core Republican voters in Guilford County are familiar with my name and many are aware of my conservative beliefs since I have been in involved in GOP politics in Guilford County for such a long period of time. Therefore, I didn’t see the necessity of launching a time-consuming campaign in the primary election contest. However, make no mistake about it, I would consider it a great honor to be selected by local Republican voters to be their candidate in the fall.

If I am selected by the Republican voters of Guilford County to be their candidate in the fall election, I can assure you that I will run an active campaign for the at-large seat on the county commission.

[keith]

I am with you on these picks.

I would like to maybe give a little feedback to Mr. Binder the developer. I have been seeing your advertisements and noticed one thing you look way too serious. Could you please smile in one of your advertisements like you did in the Oliver North picture on your web site.A smile goes a long way.

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks, Wendell. And assuming you prevail on Tuesday, we look forward to your general election campaign and your leadership on the Board of County Commissioners.

And thanks also, Keith, for your expression of agreement.

[Roger Greene]

Don't worry Wendell. John Hammer doesn't have the fortitude to run himself. He had a chance once but chickened out. He just loves to pontificate on how others should do it. I'm for Sawyer and Proctor having had recent family business with both I was pleased with both experiences.

[Joe Guarino]

Roger, I have to admit that I think I may also have been a customer of Wendell's once or twice a while back. But please don't tell anyone.:)

[Tony Wilkins]

Another customer of Wendell's here!
I'm glad to see the "assure you that I will run an active campaign for the at-large seat on the county commission." by Sawyer posted here as I have been led to believe that would not be the case. I'm very glad to hear him say that.
Joe, I don't know if you have had a chance to read this or not but Larry Proctor's pastor has made a statement on Larry's behalf that I thought was very sincere. It's posted here:
http://www.busybeingbornblog.com/?p=82

[Joe Guarino]

Thanks, Tony, for providing that link. It is becoming increasingly clear every day, as we learn more about these men and their candidacies, that Sawyer and Proctor should be the two choices GOP voters make on Tuesday.