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Pair of incumbents win spots on ballot |
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Written by Gina Lindsey (O-N-E staff reporter)
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Wednesday, 07 May 2008 |
Two incumbents will be facing off against Democrat George McClellan in the Nov. 6 Board of Commissioner race.
Dan Hunsucker and Barbara Beatty beat political newcomers Jack Beach and Phillip Parlier.
Hunsucker claimed the majority of the 22,627 votes cast in the commissioner race with 7,851 votes totaling 34.7 percent. In his third four-year term, Hunsucker said he wants to focus on growth in Sherrills Ford honoring the commissioners’ promise to provide water and sewer to the rapidly growing area. He said he also wants to focus on providing county parks, education and more business opportunities.
“I want to try to work to broaden the manufacturing base and prevent job losses like those we’ve had in the past,” Hunsucker said.
He said that will require continued efforts with the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation and its president, Scott Millar, and the Chamber of Commerce to promote the area to bring in new businesses.
Beatty edged out Beach by 1,215 votes to claim second place, with 26.8 percent of the vote to his 21.4 percent.
Hunsucker was surprised to have come out on top.
“That’s a first for me,” he said. “Barbara usually ends up with more votes.”
It will be Beatty’s fourth term of service with nearly 12 years in a commissioner post already.
“I put up my signs the old-fashioned way with stakes,” she said.
She also chose to hand out mints rather than flyers, something she has been doing for many previous elections.
“I certainly had to overcome being last on the ballot,” Beatty said.
The commissioner also made an effort on Tuesday to get out to as many precinct polling places as she could. She said she made it to all but two of the 40 sites.
Overall, she said it’s her hard work she thinks people noted.
“I think everyone noticed how hard I worked,” Beatty said.
Phillip Parlier, who finished fourth, secured 17 percent of the vote with 3,849 votes cast in his favor.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 03 July 2008 )
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