Forsyth County is finally close to having a more progressive board of commissioners. Voters should make sure that happens smoothly by electing Republican Dave Plyler, a veteran commissioner who lost his re-election bid in 2006. And to keep balance and experience, voters should re-elect Republican incumbents Richard Linville and Gloria Whisenhunt.
In races for Forsyth representatives to the state legislature, voters should give the incumbents another term. The incumbent register of deeds also deserves another term, as does an incumbent on the Soil and Water Conservation Board. And voters should approve bonds that would give Forsyth County Technical Community College about $62 million for expansion.
First, the commissioners' race. The three Republicans are running for three seats in District B, one of which opened up when Commissioner Bill Whiteheart, another Republican, lost out in the May primary. Plyler, Linville and Whisenhunt are running against three Democrats -- Jimmie Ziglar Jr., Nancy Young and John Gladman II -- and one Libertarian, Richard Norman. Ziglar, a retired dentist who served as chairman of the county board in the 1980s; and Young, who has extensive civic and business experience, are especially good candidates.
But Whisenhunt and Linville offer the needed experience of commissioners who have been working with all the issues facing the county right up to the present. For continuity's sake, they'll be needed as this board goes through the change that we hope Plyler will help lead it through -- that of becoming more responsive to issues such as economic development and health care.
Plyler, a moderate Republican, often worked well with Whisenhunt and Linville during his previous years on the board. He also worked well with Democrats Walter Marshall and Beaufort Bailey, who are also longtime board members.
Plyler lost his at-large seat in 2006 to Ted Kaplan, a moderate Democrat. At the time, the Journal endorsed Kaplan over Plyler. We noted that it was a tough call, but that Kaplan was needed to bring progressive change. Kaplan has not disappointed us, but more change is needed.
With District B seats open, it's time to put Plyler back on the board. The Journal endorses Dave Plyler, Richard Linville and Gloria Whisenhunt for the three District B seats. We do so with the hope that either Plyler or one of the Democrats on the board will replace Whisenhunt as the chairman. Her experience is needed, but it's time for a progressive voice to lead this board.
For challenged Forsyth seats in the state House, the Journal endorses Republican Rep. Dale Folwell over Democratic challenger Wade Boyles in District 74; Republican Rep. Larry Womble over Libertarian challenger Bobby Richmond in District 71; Republican Rep. Bill McGee over Democratic challenger Dan Bennett in District 75; and Republican Rep. Larry Brown over Libertarian challenger Cary Morris in District 73.
The Journal endorses Karen Gordon, the Republican register of deeds, over Democratic challenger Norman Holleman, and Wes Schollander for another term on the county Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Finally, the Journal endorses the $62 million bond for Forsyth Technical Community College, which plays such a vital role training the work force for the transforming economy. The money would allow Forsyth Tech to expand on adjacent land currently used by the city/county school system's Career Center and administrative offices, and allow the school system to replace the Career Center and relocate the administrative offices.
(Races for Forsyth County District Court judgeships will be covered in an editorial that will run Wednesday.)
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement