OCTOBER 22, 2009 ISSUE
Seven Devils Town Council Election
Three Incumbents, One Challenger Vie for Three Open Seats
Four candidates are in the race for three open seats on the Seven Devils Town Council. The two candidates that receive the most votes will serve four-year terms, while the third successful candidate is elected to a two-year term. Early voting is already underway and voting on Election Day—Tuesday, November 3—takes place at Seven Devils Town Hall, located at 1356 Seven Devils Road, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Candidates for the 2009 election include three incumbents, Mayor Bob Dodson, Council Member Kay Ehlinger and Council Member Bill Wilkinson, and one new challenger, David A. Ehmig.
The three candidates that receive the most votes by November 3 will join the five-person council, which includes Mayor Pro Tem Richard DeMott and Council Member Kathy Copely. In Seven Devils, the mayor is selected by the council from among its membership and is a voting member of the council.
High Country Press asked each of the four candidates to identify the top three issues they believe are facing the Town of Seven Devils in the coming term.
Dodson replied that he (1) “must assure there is a balance of growth with the preservation of natural resources” and that the town should work “with the natural resources, not against;” (2) that the town “must remain vigil in our effort to provide first-class fire fighting capability, public safety and emergency response;” (3) and that the town has “two major water system projects that we need to complete and finding the money for the projects is a top priority.”
Wilkinson replied that he (1) wants “to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of our town, adhering to the town’s vision statement,” (2) “to assure our citizens that our roads and water are well maintained and upgraded,” (3) and would like “to be proactive in our approach to public safety, fire and police.”
Ehlinger replied that the top three issues she would like to focus on if re-elected are (1) keeping the town’s infrastructure up to date, especially the town’s roads and water system; (2) providing more recreational opportunities within the town and working with the newly formed Seven Devils Recreation Commission; and (3) encouraging the town’s pay scale for town employees, such as fire fighters and police, to be more competitive so that the town can keep its lower fire rating and retain quality police officers.
Ehmig replied that the top three issues facing Seven Devils are water, financial resources and public safety. Concerning (1) water, Ehmig said, “The town has been in the process along with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources to drill test wells in the town and adjacent area to determine the amount and quality of water available. It is my understanding that this project has been put on hold by the state due to budgetary concerns. I hope that we can return to this project as funds become available.” Concerning (2) financial resources, Ehmig said, “As a retired banker, I hope to be able to offer suggestions that will add efficiency in our spending of the taxpayers’ money.” Concerning (3) public safety, Ehmig said, “We have an excellent group of employees in the town and must continue to offer them our support in every way. An example of the success is the lowering of our fire insurance rating by the state fire marshal from 9 to 6, which has reduced the cost of fire insurance to our residents.”
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