Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 17, 2008 issue
Republican Primary—NC Senate
Two Republicans face each other in the primary for the NC State Senate seat for District 45. District 45 includes Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties.
The winner of the primary will face incumbent Democratic Senator Steve Goss in November.
Jerry Butler
Boone dentist Dr. Jerry Butler has identified the following issues in the campaign:
Jobs—Prevent tax increases that discourage employers from coming to western North Carolina. Provide leadership to bring industry and needed jobs to our district. Provide adequate jobs for our high school, technical school and college graduates. A business-friendly tax structure is the only missing ingredient for new job growth in our district.
Education—Create parental school choice and educational options by eliminating the cap on charter schools. Establish a vocational (technical) high school model to address and reduce the 30% high school drop out rate. Empower teachers to focus the use of educational resources and enforce discipline in the classroom.
Healthcare—Create a delivery system that is affordable, accessible and focused on prevention and early detection. Allow citizens to deduct the costs and co-pay expenses for preventive screenings and wellness visits. Establish benefits for early diagnosis and treatment. Create a high risk management pool for people with high risk medical lifestyles.
Taxes—"We don't need more taxes by our government. We need more efficiency from our government." The liberal legislature has become disconnected from the people. Gas tax will increase in 2007-08 and in 2008-09 due to liberal legislature. The liberal legislature is extending the temporary taxes (passed by them) and imposing new taxes.
Transportation—I will work for new highway construction, not useless studies of highway construction. I will not rob the highway trust fund to support new and wasteful social programs. Our district needs modern highways not enhancement of roadscapes and other wasted funding. Good roads save lives. I will fight for this need.
Dwight Shook
Adjunct business instructor Dwight Shook of Taylorsville has identified the following issues in his campaign:
Government Accountability—Once in Raleigh, I will fight to keep the Democrats in check, and hold them accountable for every dollar they spend.
Taxes—We need representation that believes that tax increases are the last resort and not the first. We need someone to say land transfer taxes that take choice out of the peoples' hands are a bad idea.
Family Values—We have to protect our families from the constant attacks the democrats make on a daily basis. We must also protect marriage between a man and a woman. Fight for the right of the unborn; I will be their advocate in Raleigh.
Property Rights—When you buy land it should be yours. We need to work harder in this state to protect the property you own and the rights that go with them.