The Cherokee Scout is interviewing all candidates in this year’s local elections, which start with the primary Tuesday, March 3.
Up this week are the Republican Party’s candidates for the District 2 seat on the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners, placed in alphabetical order. The winner of this primary will run unopposed in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election, unless George Bendzen obtains enough signatures to appear on the ballot as an independent.
C.B. McKinnon
After finishing his second term, incumbent Commissioner C.B. McKinnon wants to push forward with infrastructure goals, while also maintaining the rural charm of Cherokee County.
He would like to see the Corridor K project finally break ground, which could happen within the next five years. And if re-elected, he hopes to work with state officials and other organizations to construct additional roads to connect the county with interstate highways.
“We have such a choke down coming into this county, it limits our economic development,” McKinnon said. “It limits jobs. It limits our median income. It’s all limited by transportation.
“We’ll never be able to grow this area economically above the things that we’re doing without being able to get ease of transportation in and out of this bowl that we live in. It’s a wonderful bowl, it’s a blessing, but we need to be able to move goods and services if we’re going to get those higher-paying jobs.”
He said “outside opposition,” including environmental groups, have prevented construction of some roads that could spur economic development.
“I don’t have any doubt that their intentions are very good – that they love the mountains, they love the outdoors ... but these outside organizations could care less about the people of Cherokee County,” McKinnon said. “Ultimately, it’s going to be settled in court.”
At the same time, he wants to limit the amount of government interference in personal lives and reduce the county government’s footprint as much as possible.
“I don’t want to throw up obstacles or regulations to increase things that hinder business development and people’s development,” McKinnon said. “We want to keep it as simple as possible, keep the government out of the way and let our economy do what it does best.”
When asked whether he concerned about losing county personnel due to higher-paying jobs in other counties or with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, McKinnon said he would continue to support staff as much as the budget allows.
“If you can better yourself, you should better yourself; I would never want to hold someone back,” McKinnon said. “But it’s about balance. When it all comes down to it, it’s about where do you want to live? What is your quality of life there? I think it’s more about that than it is about money.
“Everybody wants to make more money, including myself. But there’s something to be said for living in Cherokee County, North Carolina. It’s the best place there is, and if you want to be here, we want to supply our county employees with everything we can. …
“We’re a rural county, and I think regardless of what side of the [political] aisle they’re on, most people would like it to remain a rural county.”
Randy Phillips
Randy Phillips has worked as a resource officer with Cherokee County Schools for 22 years. A decade ago, he ran for Clerk of Court as a member of the Democratic Party and lost in the primary.
He said he later flipped parties because Republican values align closer with his own, but he tends to vote for whoever he thinks is best for the job.
“I’ve never voted straight ticket in a general election,” Phillips said. “I always vote for who I think is right.”
He said he’s running for commissioner to serve the community in a larger capacity.
“I’m getting close to the end of my career as an SRO, and I was looking for a way to serve the whole community,” Phillips said. “Not just children, but everyone in general. We have to take care of our county employees. We are becoming a training ground.
“A lot of people get certifications, and work here for a little bit of experience and training, then they go somewhere else making more money or being taken care of better. We have to take care of our employees and keep them.”
Veterans and elderly residents also need more support, he added.
“They built this community, so we have to take care of them,” Phillips said. “We have to make sure there are facilities [for the elderly] and make sure they have things to do. A lot of working people are taking care of their elderly parents, so maybe we can have some place where they can take their parents during the day.”
He further identified affordable housing and broadband internet expansion as matters of pressing concern. Phillips also feels the county should sell off “excess property.”
“We need to look at getting rid of, or doing something with, those properties instead of letting them just sit there,” he said. “That could help grow our tax base.”
In regard to the school system, Phillips said improvement must start with the buildings. He believes youth should have more vocational and technical training options.
“I think Cherokee County is on the right track,” he said. “Let’s get these kids a basic trade skill before they graduate high school so they can go to work and be a productive citizen.”
Phillips chose a career as an SRO because he’s passionate about youth in this county. He said working with children requires a skillset to build positive relationships and trust.
He believes two decades of experience as an SRO provides him a unique viewpoint on the needs of Cherokee County. He expects to continue sharpening that perspective if elected.
“I’ve seen a lot of what these families are struggling with,” Phillip said. “If I’m given the chance to be a commissioner, I’m sure I’ll learn until the last day I serve.”