Harry Southerland

Candidate for Hoke County Commission (Democrat)

• Why should you be a Hoke County Commissioner?

I have the three essentials qualifications that’s needed to be an effective County Commissioner to include:

1. QUALIFIED

I have an earned Juris Doctorate Degree with a concentration in business law, and, Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Business Management and Economics which gives me the educational tools to understand all legal and business issues of county government.

2.EXPERIENCED

*I have experience owning and operating a multimillion dollar business with over 200 employees which affords me the ability to manage and communicate well with employees and the public.

*I have negotiated multi-million dollar deals for my clients which provides me with the skills to negotiate and complete multi-million business deals on behalf of the county.

*I was elected and served 4 years on the Hoke County Board of Education. This granted me the ability to govern the people and the county.

3.TRIED AND PROVEN

In my first four years as a Hoke County Commissioner, I have proven to be just, fair, and sound in decision making responsibilities for all of Hoke County. That’s why people call me one of Hoke County’s Favorite Commissioners. The county needs to be in the hands of strong, experienced, and intellectual leaders with a vision.

• Would you support a plan to build a new a high school or add on to the existing high school?

Yes, I would support a plan to build a new high school if the funding is available or foreseeable. I would also support adding on to the existing high school if it is more feasible. There are many factors that come into play to determine which direction the county should go. No I would not raise taxes. Raising taxes is never the answer to raising funds for projects. We must be more creative in our vision as oppose to taxing our citizens to death.

• Where do you stand on gun control?

I support our constitutional right to “bear arms;” however, I believe that we as a country must demonstrate gun responsibility in educating our children and our community. I would support establishing more extensive background checks and to include some mental health status check. As we bury children all across our country due to gun violence, it is obvious that there are too many guided guns in the hands of misguided men and women

• What would you do to support transparent government?

Governments are already transparent. The inquiring citizen must read the official minutes from the official meetings. The official government documents are public record and thus are available to everyone. One must seek the truth and ask and it shall be given unto you. The problem is that people generally don’t seek or ask, they just engage in gossip from street corners.

• What is your plan for directing growth?

We must expand Highways 211 and 401 to 4 lanes in order direct growth. Infrastructure is always the fundamental foundation that must be in place prior to any substantial growth.

• What is your stance on the ongoing SBI investigation?

The investigation has been complete as recent as November 2017.

• What’s your stance on the grassroots efforts to incorporate Rockfish and make it a city or town?

I represent Rockfish and all of its wonderful citizens. I want the citizens to tell me what they want.

• What are some common complaints you hear from citizens or that you yourself have about the county, and how would you address them?

I am not hearing any complaints but I am hearing that I am doing great job for all of the citizens of Hoke County. I realized a long time ago that we will either “live together as a people or we will die separately as fools.”

I am Harry Southerland, one of your favorite Hoke County Commissioners, and I approved these responses.

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