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Two vie for House seat
NEWS-TIMES
LORI WYNN
MOREHEAD CITY — Two Carteret County residents are going head to head Nov. 4 for the District 13 seat in the N.C. House of Representatives.
Democratic candidate Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake of Gloucester is challenging Emerald Isle Republican Rep. Pat McElraft for a chance to serve Carteret and Jones counties.
Rep. McElraft is serving her first, two-year term in the state House but served in several posts on the local level prior to going to the General Assembly. In a candidate survey, she told The News-Times her experience in government gives her the qualifications to represent the district.
“My years of experience gained at the town, county and state levels have made me uniquely qualified to serve our citizens as their representative,” she said. “During my first term in the N.C. House, I worked to build strong relationships on both sides of the aisle. I will use those relationships to work for my constituents.”
Unlike her opponent, Dr. Garrity-Blake has not served in a political capacity. But, in her candidate survey, she said her public service record shows that she can get things accomplished in government.
“I have been a member of this community for 20 years, and I have seen our economy decline, gas and food prices soar, and hard-working people thrown out of the jobs they love,” she said. “I believe that these problems are the direct result of decisions that politicians make – or fail to make – that affect people’s lives. I pledge to make the right decisions for the people of Carteret and Jones.
“I have a long track record of public service, and I’ve been effective in protecting working waterfronts and public access to the water, securing a property tax break for owners of ocean fishing piers and fish houses,” she continued. “I am a person who gets things done, and my first priority is to bring quality jobs to our area.
“As a mother, I am determined to expand educational and occupational opportunities for our youth. I will also fight tirelessly for affordable health care and improved access to mental health and rehabilitation services.”
Dr. Garrity-Blake listed economic expansion and bringing quality jobs to the district as her top issues.
“My number one goal is to expand our economic base and bring high-quality jobs into Carteret and Jones counties,” she said. “We are uniquely poised with our natural resources and scientific facilities to develop jobs in biotechnology, energy research and production and food science.
“I support expanding our math and science programs in schools and strengthening partnerships among community colleges, university laboratories and the marine industry because an improved educational system will help our local economy.”
With drilling off the state’s coast being a recent hot-button issue, Dr. Garrity-Blake said she supported the development of an energy plan that considers benefits and risks.
“Our area has strong potential for energy research and production, as evident in recent calls for offshore oil and gas exploration, wind and solar power and biofuels,” she said. “We must consider all of our options and develop a comprehensive energy strategy that guarantees jobs, poses minimal risks to public health and the environment and is compatible with existing industries, such as tourism and fishing.
“I value our food producers and support fishermen and farmers in retooling for changing markets and consumer demands that favor home-grown Eastern North Carolina produce, seafood and other specialty foods over imports.”
But Rep. McElraft said it should be the state’s authority to decide if drilling should take place of the coast.
“In all levels of public service, I have never been hesitant to take a stand on behalf of my constituents and will not shy away from tough decisions in favor of political expediency,” she said. “I fought hard for the taxpayers of my district to make sure that their hard earned dollars sent to Raleigh were spent wisely. I will continue to do so as long as I am their representative.
“I was the first member of the General Assembly to publicly call on Congress to remove the moratorium on offshore exploration and let North Carolina decide our energy future. I will champion the cause of searching for safe, clean and efficient sources of energy as well as conservation. Our country must become energy independent.”
And with growth in the area expected from nearby military expansions, Rep. McElraft said she would see to it that the district is ready for the increased population.
“As the wife of a Marine, I have lived a life devoted to the military and their mission. Support of our military and their families continues to be a top priority for me,” she said. “I will work hard to make sure we have the infrastructure and affordable housing for the new expansion of our marine bases.”
Dr. Garrity-Blake said she supports military expansion adding that she feels the federal government should help pay the bill to accommodate its related growth.
“An important challenge and opportunity for our area is growth associated with the ongoing military expansion at Cherry Point, New River and Camp Lejeune. We must invest in transportation, water and sewer systems and housing that will be required to accommodate this growth,” she said.
“Our tax dollars are being used to bail out Wall Street when federal funds should be used to share the cost of addressing the impacts of military growth, ensuring that our waters stay clean and productive, our schools equipped and our hospitals and clinics up-to-speed.
“We must expand career opportunities in health care services to help the increasing numbers of seniors and veterans arriving in our area. I support expanding affordable housing and property tax allowances to ensure that working families, fixed-income seniors and veterans do not get priced out of their communities.”
MOREHEAD CITY — Two Carteret County residents are going head to head Nov. 4 for the District 13 seat in the N.C. House of Representatives.
Democratic candidate Dr. Barbara Garrity-Blake of Gloucester is challenging Emerald Isle Republican Rep. Pat McElraft for a chance to serve Carteret and Jones counties.
Rep. McElraft is serving her first, two-year term in the state House but served in several posts on the local level prior to going to the General Assembly. In a candidate survey, she told The News-Times her experience in government gives her the qualifications to represent the district.
“My years of experience gained at the town, county and state levels have made me uniquely qualified to serve our citizens as their representative,” she said. “During my first term in the N.C. House, I worked to build strong relationships on both sides of the aisle. I will use those relationships to work for my constituents.”
Unlike her opponent, Dr. Garrity-Blake has not served in a political capacity. But, in her candidate survey, she said her public service record shows that she can get things accomplished in government.
“I have been a member of this community for 20 years, and I have seen our economy decline, gas and food prices soar, and hard-working people thrown out of the jobs they love,” she said. “I believe that these problems are the direct result of decisions that politicians make – or fail to make – that affect people’s lives. I pledge to make the right decisions for the people of Carteret and Jones.
“I have a long track record of public service, and I’ve been effective in protecting working waterfronts and public access to the water, securing a property tax break for owners of ocean fishing piers and fish houses,” she continued. “I am a person who gets things done, and my first priority is to bring quality jobs to our area.
“As a mother, I am determined to expand educational and occupational opportunities for our youth. I will also fight tirelessly for affordable health care and improved access to mental health and rehabilitation services.”
Dr. Garrity-Blake listed economic expansion and bringing quality jobs to the district as her top issues.
“My number one goal is to expand our economic base and bring high-quality jobs into Carteret and Jones counties,” she said. “We are uniquely poised with our natural resources and scientific facilities to develop jobs in biotechnology, energy research and production and food science.
“I support expanding our math and science programs in schools and strengthening partnerships among community colleges, university laboratories and the marine industry because an improved educational system will help our local economy.”
With drilling off the state’s coast being a recent hot-button issue, Dr. Garrity-Blake said she supported the development of an energy plan that considers benefits and risks.
“Our area has strong potential for energy research and production, as evident in recent calls for offshore oil and gas exploration, wind and solar power and biofuels,” she said. “We must consider all of our options and develop a comprehensive energy strategy that guarantees jobs, poses minimal risks to public health and the environment and is compatible with existing industries, such as tourism and fishing.
“I value our food producers and support fishermen and farmers in retooling for changing markets and consumer demands that favor home-grown Eastern North Carolina produce, seafood and other specialty foods over imports.”
But Rep. McElraft said it should be the state’s authority to decide if drilling should take place of the coast.
“In all levels of public service, I have never been hesitant to take a stand on behalf of my constituents and will not shy away from tough decisions in favor of political expediency,” she said. “I fought hard for the taxpayers of my district to make sure that their hard earned dollars sent to Raleigh were spent wisely. I will continue to do so as long as I am their representative.
“I was the first member of the General Assembly to publicly call on Congress to remove the moratorium on offshore exploration and let North Carolina decide our energy future. I will champion the cause of searching for safe, clean and efficient sources of energy as well as conservation. Our country must become energy independent.”
And with growth in the area expected from nearby military expansions, Rep. McElraft said she would see to it that the district is ready for the increased population.
“As the wife of a Marine, I have lived a life devoted to the military and their mission. Support of our military and their families continues to be a top priority for me,” she said. “I will work hard to make sure we have the infrastructure and affordable housing for the new expansion of our marine bases.”
Dr. Garrity-Blake said she supports military expansion adding that she feels the federal government should help pay the bill to accommodate its related growth.
“An important challenge and opportunity for our area is growth associated with the ongoing military expansion at Cherry Point, New River and Camp Lejeune. We must invest in transportation, water and sewer systems and housing that will be required to accommodate this growth,” she said.
“Our tax dollars are being used to bail out Wall Street when federal funds should be used to share the cost of addressing the impacts of military growth, ensuring that our waters stay clean and productive, our schools equipped and our hospitals and clinics up-to-speed.
“We must expand career opportunities in health care services to help the increasing numbers of seniors and veterans arriving in our area. I support expanding affordable housing and property tax allowances to ensure that working families, fixed-income seniors and veterans do not get priced out of their communities.”
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of carolinacoastonline.com.
Terry Coons wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:54 PM:
" I wonder how many Privates in the Marine Corps would even want to buy a house anywhere, affordable or not. They are really not in a position to set down roots at any one place. "
Phillip Radford wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:34 PM:
" So we should just build houses that only "officers" can afford because it seems to me that there are a lot of them purchasing homes here or in neighboring Craven and Onslow counties and selling or renting them when they are transferred, even though they are not in a position to set down roots at any one place either? "
ChrisD wrote on Oct 14, 2008 4:23 PM:
" How refreshing to see a candidate (Garrity-Blake) who puts the interests of the citizens of Carteret and Jones counties first. "
Elizabeth H wrote on Oct 16, 2008 3:15 AM:
" IIt seems like a pretty clear choice here. Dr. Garrity-Blake has well thought-out objectives addressing a wide range of issues that are important to us. She shares the priorities of the people trying to make a living here and shows a clear understanding of what it will take to improve conditions for all the people--not just the interests of a few. "
Sean M. wrote on Oct 19, 2008 2:55 PM:
" Pat McElraft has alway put the interests of the citizens of Carteret and Jones Counties first. I can't believe anyone would even think of not supporting her once again. Look at her record and talk to anyone who has contacted her or her office personally and you will hear first hand how hard she has worked for all the citizens of Jones and Carteret Counties. "
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Phillip Radford wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:31 PM: