Municipal elections will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 with voters casting their ballots at the Ashe County Arts Center in West Jefferson and the fire department stations in Jefferson and Lansing. There is no absentee or one stop early voting for these municipal elections. Polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Each seat on the town boards up for election is a four-year term except for two unexpired seats in Lansing that are for two years.

In West Jefferson, there are three seats up for election. Aldermen Stephen Shoemaker, Jerry McMillan and Calvin Green are seeking re-election to those seats and are challenged by Tod Hale, Mack Ham and Lester Mullis.

In Jefferson, the three seats up for election are currently filled by Aldermen Mark Johnston, Bluferd Eldreth and Gwen Ashley, and all three are seeking re-election.

In Lansing, Aldermen Bill Cline, Israel Church and Dennis Trainor Jr. are seeking re-election to the 4-year seats. Newcomers seeking one of those three seats are Mauvine Shepherd, Jeff Key and George Rembert III. Rembert was recently appointed (until the election) to a seat with an unexpired term. Alderman Brenda Reeves, who was also appointed by the board to serve an unexpired term, seeks to continue serving that term.

There are also write-in spots in each town equal to the number of seats up for election: three each in West Jefferson and Jefferson, and five in Lansing including the two two-year unexpired terms. The top three vote-getters in each town will win the four-year seats, and the fourth and fifth place vote-getters in Lansing will win the two-year seats.

With the municipal election season heating up, the Jefferson Post asked questions of the candidates.

In Jefferson, incumbent candidates Gwen Ashley, Bluferd Eldreth, and Mark Johnston responded to:

Why do you want to represent the town on the Board of Aldermen?

Ashley: “Being an appointee to fill an unexpired term of member who moved out of the town of Jefferson, I have been pleased to have been a part of town government for the past year.  I still am in a learning mode, but I can honestly say that I am proud to be associated with the mayor, the other members of the Board of Alderman and the staff and to learn just what an exceptionally fine town government that we provide for the citizens of Jefferson.  As a woman, I believe that my representation on this board will prove to be an asset.”

Eldreth: “I’ve been on the board for over 20 years and I just figured I would keep trying to do the same thing we are doing.”

Johnston: “I’m a lifelong resident of Jefferson. I just want to give back to the community that has been so good to me.”

What do you see as the most important issues facing the town currently, and how do you think these problems should be addressed?

Ashley: “Of course, the most important issues facing this board are the continuance of the excellent services that we have been able to provide and to keep the tax rate as low as we have been able to do.  The citizens of Jefferson should be proud and grateful for the job that town government has done and will continue to do.”

Eldreth: “Well economics are the big things for most towns and counties. I think we need to keep the tax base as low as we can and provide the best service we can for the people of Jefferson.”

Johnston: “The town of Jefferson really doesn’t have any problems at this point. Revenue is always an issue. Holding taxes down is another point.”

When not involved in politics, what do you do?

Ashley: “I have been a life-long citizen in Jefferson. I have been retired from banking for a period of three years, after serving in the banking industry for over 40 years. I am now serving as President of the Museum of Ashe County History, Inc., and restoring the 1904 Ashe County Courthouse to house a history museum.  I also serve as member and Secretary of the Ashe Services for Aging Foundation Board; member and Secretary on the Ashe County Frescoes Foundation Board; and a member of the Community Leaders Council for Blue Ridge Electric Corp, Inc.”

Eldreth: “I’m retired and I do a lot of church work.”

Johnston: “I’m a co-owner of New River Tree Company and I attend Jefferson Methodist church. I enjoy canoeing, basketball, and all kinds of sports.”

In Lansing, incumbents Bill Cline, Brenda Reeves, Israel Church and George Rembert III, and challenger Jeff Key replied:

Why do you want to represent the town on the Board of Aldermen?

Cline: “I’m trying to make a difference for the town and to help the people.”

Church: “I want to keep our town like it is, a small town where everyone wants to move to. I think I’m a good person and I try to do my best.”

Key: “For change. I want to work with the people of Lansing and I just want to do the best that I can for the town. If elected I look forward to being a good member for the town and working with everybody that does get elected. For me to run and to represent the people and the businesses in town is my number one goal. I want to do the best that I can for the people.”

Rembert: “Since relocating back to the Lansing area in 2004 I have been actively involved with local volunteer organizations whose goals were and are improving the economic situation in the area and returning Lansing to its historical status as a town providing needed services and products to those in the surrounding areas. I believe I can better address these issues as a member of the Town Board of Aldermen. I would consider it an honor and a privilege to serve the town in this capacity.”

Reeves: “Growing up in Lansing it’s a town that I love, I love the people and the small town feel. I want to help Lansing be all it can be. It has great potential for growth and I want to help promote that growth. I want to represent the people the best of my ability and what I think would serve them the best too.”

What do you see as the most important issues facing the town currently, and how do you think these problems should be addressed?

Cline: “Jobs mostly. Of course it is everywhere. We’ve been trying to figure it out.” He noted that the shortage of water in Lansing is one major reason for no new jobs because the town cannot add additional hookups without enough water, so the town is working on a new well. “We’ve drilled one, but we haven’t got to use it yet. We’re still waiting for the drawdown test. It would help us add jobs.”

Church: “Our wells are the most important issue. A couple of wells have been drilled that crossed property line and they did not have permission to do so. The new dog leash law does not have enforcement. We don’t have a big enough animal control to enforce it. Evidently, the roof is a big issue. Another issue is that our mayor does not have a residency in Lansing.”

Key: “There’s a lot that needs to be worked on in Lansing. I think the water and the sewer is the biggest issue now.”

Rembert: “There are several important issues facing the town of Lansing. First, increasing the capacity of the water system to allow for development within the town is important. Secondly, promoting actions which will make the town more attractive to encourage new businesses to locate within the city limits. These include improving the access to and the availability of parking, encouraging property owners to take pride in the appearance of their property, completing the historic district application process, marketing Lansing as a destination. Also, promoting Lansing as a tourist destination, bringing much needed dollars into the area. Lastly, encourage residents to be involved in the government of Lansing by making them welcome at monthly meetings and listening to their needs, desires, and concerns. Do all of these things while maintaining the culture of Lansing that makes it such a great place to live, namely the fiery independence of the residents, and at the same time an unwavering willingness to help others in a time of need.”

Reeves: “Right now our most pressing thing is more water to meet the demand and we are in the process of drilling and testing a well and hopefully that will solve that problem. That should take care of it we are hoping.”

When not involved in politics, what do you do?

Cline: Is retired from United Chemi-Con, and has served as an aldermen for several terms most recently, and also served years ago on the board and as mayor in the late 1980s. He has also served with the fire department.

Church: “I just try to run my business and run my construction business. I try to be a good person to everybody and respect them. I enjoy spending time with my family and helping others.”

Key: “I have been professional painter for 23 years.”

Rembert: “I work as the system administrator for AEV, an ambulance manufacturer in Jefferson. I maintain, repair, update, and replace computer, phone and networking hardware and software programs to help keep the company running smoothly and efficiently. I also volunteer for functions in Lansing. I enjoy golf, play at least twice a year. Beth (his wife) and I enjoy spending time at my parents’ farm in the northwestern corner of the county, and last, but certainly not least, I treasure the time spent with my five children and three grandchildren who are spread all along the east coast.”

Reeves: “I’m a secretary/receptionist in the imaging department at Ashe Memorial Hospital. I also enjoy spending time with my family. I like to organize some of the different events here in town, like the haunted house and different things like that.”

In West Jefferson, incumbents Calvin Green, Jerry McMillan, and Stephen Shoemaker, and challengers Lester Mullis and Mack Ham replied:

Why do you want to represent the town on the Board of Aldermen?

Ham: “We need some changes. We need to keep the tax rate from going up.”

Green: “I’ve enjoyed representing the town citizens the past four years and I would like to help try to keep the taxes at a reasonable rate.

McMillan: “I have always loved West Jefferson and wanted it to be the best, cleanest, friendliest, desirable, and unique town that anyone has ever seen. I want our visitors to be envious of our town and our locals to be proud to call West Jefferson, our own.”

He goes on to say, “The town looks and runs the best that I have ever seen, but we can still make it better. Our board works well together with the town manager and mayor and we are all striving to make West Jefferson, the best place to live anywhere.”

Mullis: “I was born here and grew up here. I want to see the town be more successful as it moves forward.”

Shoemaker: “Four years ago I ran for alderman because I saw a lack of interest in making the town any better than it was. There were issues such as zoning, traffic problems, infrastructure problems and policing problems that were being ignored.”

What do you see as the most important issues facing the town currently, and how do you think these problems should be addressed?

Ham: “There are several issues, like unnecessary spending. I’m just hoping I can get in there and convince the board to cut out some of this wasteful spending.”

Green: “The town is in very good shape at this time. We need to concentrate to keeping water supply up by possibly drilling wells, but overall the town is in one of the best shapes it’s been in. I don’t see any major or issue or problems in the near future.”

McMillan: “First, I think that keeping the town budget balanced is important. I have worked to adopt a balanced budget for the last three years without any tax increase. The second issue is implementing recommendations of the Land Use Plan; most important is expansion of zoning jurisdiction to one mile beyond town limits through exercise of Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction. The third issue is revising and updating the town ordinance book and Zoning Ordinance.

Mullis: “The economy; we need to promote more industry and work hard to get new jobs in West Jefferson. We need to build a brighter future for our youth so they might have a fair chance of finding work here instead of having to move elsewhere.”

Shoemaker: “State government intervention with new restrictions on zoning, infrastructure (water-sewer), while cutting of monies available to towns for necessary projects such as paving and water upgrades, keeping our police department ‘healthy’ for the safety of all. We have a good police presence now and we need to ensure its continuation.”

When not involved in politics, what do you do?

Ham: “I have my own business, Ham Evergreens, and I work for Mike’s Mufflers. I also managed the farmer’s market.”

Green: “My father and I run and operate W.J. Hardware. I joined him in the business in 1976, which he started in 1947. My hobbies are gardening, working on the lawn, and attending my son’s high school basketball games.”

McMillan: “I am chairman of the Ashe County Heart Walk, board member of the Ashe County Arts Council, the library, the county volunteer initiative board, the Christmas in July Board, and past board member of the National Committee for the New River. I am the President of the Smethport United Methodist Church Administrative Board. I have two sisters, Pat Blair and Dot Little.

Mullis: “For the past 21 years I have owned Ashe Sewing Center, I am married to Kathy Mullis and have one son, Steve.”

Shoemaker: “I am a watercolor artist who works from his studio in downtown West Jefferson. I’m married and have one daughter and two stepchildren, all grown. I’m involved with my church, the hospital board, the development of the revitalized 1904 courthouse museum and have been connected with downtown revitalization since 1997.”

Attempts to reach Tod Hale, Mauvine Shepherd, and Dennis Trainor were unsuccessful. Look in Friday’s edition of the Post for their responses.