Andrews – With less than two weeks until Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 2, candidates in the municipal races are making their cases for why town voters should choose them. Three candidates are vying for the mayor’s seat, while seven candidates are competing for two open aldermen seats.
All 10 candidates have been invited to participate in a political forum at the Andrews Community Center on Main Street at 6 p.m. Saturday, which will be aired by WKRK via Facebook Live if you can’t attend in person. The Cherokee Scout spoke with each candidate over the last couple weeks to learn more about their platforms.
Mayoral candidates
J L Franklin
Originally from Haywood County, J L Franklin has lived in Andrews the last three years. He worked in construction for more than two decades before serving about seven years with the N.C. Department of Transportation. He also worked in maintenance with Haywood County before deciding to retire.
“I did enough traveling all those years; I got tired of it,” Franklin said. “Living in a motel ain’t no fun.”
He said a strong police force, quality drinking water and vibrant business community would be his goals if elected.
"Get cops in that won't break the rules, put businesses back in Andrews and fix the water to where we can drink it,” Franklin said when asked what he would like to accomplish over the next four years. “I think I can help Andrews.”
Randy Hogsed
A native of Andrews, Randy Hogsed previously served as a town alderman. Hoping to spread his message far and wide, Hogsed typed up a six-page letter to voters outlining his vision for the town.
“The town currently has a policy of being reactive to problems and issues as they come along,” his letter states. “I want to see Andrews be more proactive in planning and in addressing long-standing issues.”
Among other things, the letter addresses his goals for the police department, recreation and housing.
“We should take a close look at expanding the Andrews Housing Authority, including expanding to an additional campus,” Hogsed wrote. “These projects are typically 90 percent federally funded.”
He also proposes a plan to reduce water rates.
“The only way to reduce rates is to expand the customer base,” the letter states, adding that a 2003 alternative water supply study identified a source to help reach that goal. “The project had an estimated cost of $1.2 million. … This project may require becoming a member of a regional water authority.”
James Reid
Incumbent James Reid served as a town alderman from 2001-2013, then became a rookie mayor in 2017. He acknowledges the challenges his administration has faced over the last four years, but believes things are on the right track.
“Now that we're finally staying out of the way and letting a chief do his job, we're finding out that we can have really good results in a police department,” Reid said.
He also believes his relationship with state lawmakers has helped Andrews turn the corner on longstanding issues.
“In this year's state budget, they're penciling us in $1.3 million for replacement of our water tank on Leatherwood Mountain,” Reid said.
If elected for a second term, he plans to work with the aldermen to ensure money is allocated to expand recreational activities.
“I would like to see us bring the swimming pool back to its former glory and work on the recreation park so our kids have something to do,” Reid said. “It’s pathetic that we have families in Andrews who will drive to Murphy to go to a decent park.”
Aldermen candidates
Steve Jordan
A native of Andrews, Steve Jordan has served four terms as an alderman and previously served one term as a Cherokee County commissioner. He has owned several businesses in the area, including a construction company that has operated since the 1990s.
He’s seeking another term in office to complete unfinished business.
“I'd like to get a good police force to settle down some of the thieving,” Jordan said. “I have to get up in the middle of the night a lot of times, and I go watch my equipment. They stole $1,000 worth of batteries.”
He also feels that local taxpayers deserve a break.
“I would like to get the taxes down lower [a bit more],” Jordan said. “Our town is in good shape money-wise, and I would like to give the citizens a break.”
Glenn Parker
Originally from Hayesville, Glenn Parker has lived in Andrews for about four years.
When asked what he would like to accomplish with his first term if elected, Parker replied, “Get the drugs off the street.” When asked what is needed to make that a reality, he added, “A better court system.”
“We can lock them up, but the court will turn them loose,” Parker said, adding that he advocates for additional rehabilitation programs to help local drug abusers. “We need more businesses here to get the homeless people off the street and the drug population down.”
He also wants to help improve local schools and would be a vocal critic of school consolidation if elected.
“Instead of getting them to merge it together, we're fighting against it,” Parker said. “If you want a change, you need to get out and vote.”
Jason Raxter
A town native, Jason Raxter has owned and operated a convenience store in Andrews for two and a half years. If elected, one of his first priorities would be to promote the positive aspects of the town.
“If I can change the mindset of the citizens so they see this is not a bad town, the better it will be,” Raxter said, adding that it will take community pride to turn things around. “Andrews really isn't as bad as everyone talks about it being. Every town in the U.S. has the problems Andrews has right now.”
While he acknowledges that Andrews would benefit from having additional attractions for tourists, he feels that locals do not take advantage of opportunities. That results in additional negative discourse.
“There's a lot going on that people just don't take advantage of,” Raxter said. “We have great things for all the kids and residents. But we need to think of a niche to bring in a little bit more tourism.”
Regarding the drug issue, he believes the community as a whole needs to foster positive youth development, instead of placing the full burden on politicians and law enforcement.
“The only way to fight the [drug] problem, you have to catch them before they have the problem,” Raxter said.
Alton Raymond III
Born at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Alton Raymond III has lived in Andrews on and off for about 15 years. If elected, he plans to communicate with the public on a regular basis.
“The aldermen need to interact more with the public,” Raymond said. “We need better communication.”
Among other things, he would like to see an increase in veteran’s services in Andrews.
“I don’t see why they shouldn't have a veteran’s clinic,” Raymond said. “There’s more veterans than there used to be.”
He also feels the town needs additional youth programs.
“All I see are kids piled up in Ingles’ parking lot,” Raymond said. “If you give people something to do, no matter what age demographic, there's less trouble.”
Brandi Smith
Born and raised in Murphy, Brandi Smith moved to Andrews two years ago, then built a house within the town limits last year. She feels the community should work together to improve economic development and positive youth development.
“We have to start with the children,” Smith said. “There's no activities for kids. It’s a shame that people in Cherokee County have to go out of state, even, to do fun activities with their children.”
She also feels the town should lower taxes as an incentive to attract residents and businesses alike.
“At this point, there really is no incentive to move to Andrews,” she said. “We have one grocery store. Something needs to be done to attract businesses. You don’t get a more beautiful area [than this].”
Smith also feels the community should band together to help the police department as the new chief rebuilds the force.
“I would like to help with some community watch programs so we can look out for each other's property,” she said, adding that the drug use in Andrews is “disheartening.”
Bryan Tomlin
Raised in Nantahala, Bryan Tomlin has lived in Andrews for about two decades. He plans to be readily accessible to the public if voters choose him to fill one of the two open aldermen seats.
“If I get elected, I’m going to make sure my number is out there so if anybody’s got a problem, they can call me day or night,” Tomlin said. “I’ll come talk to them and try to help them solve their problems within the realm of what I'm allowed to do.”
He would like to see more businesses set up shop in town and wants to increase leisure options for kids.
“One of my goals is to see us get some factories and businesses back in town where people can work and make an honest living,” Tomlin said. “And I'd like to see some kind of activities for the kids, so they have something to do instead of hanging out on the streets.”
Rebecca Woodard
Originally from Bryson City, Rebecca Woodard has lived in Andrews for about eight years. As a mother of three girls, she believes she has the perfect idea to bring western North Carolina families to Andrews.
“It would be fabulous to have a splash pad [at the playground],” Woodard said. “I would drive an hour out of the way to let my kids play at a splash pad. That will bring people [into Andrews]. And when they come to let their kids play, they're going to get hungry” and go out to local restaurants.
Among other things, she is concerned about the town’s water rates. If elected, she would educate herself and constituents on the causes for increased rates, and hopes to work with fellow aldermen to lower water bills.
“I have three kids being raised here, and I want to see this town prosper,” Woodard said.