In a special called meeting Monday afternoon, Vance County Commissioners heard from the four candidates vying for the open District 3 seat on the board.

At the conclusion of the meeting, which lasted less than an hour, Chairwoman Carolyn Faines said she would like to reconvene next week – at a second special called meeting – to vote on which individual will be appointed to fill the seat vacated by Sean Alston more than a month ago. That meeting will take place Monday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. in the commissioners’ meeting room.

The four individuals are Doyle Carpunky, Charisse Fain, Jeanette Floyd and Charles J. Turrentine, Jr. They spoke, in turn, to commissioners about their vision, goals and experiences that they feel will help them if selected to fill Alston’s unexpired term.

Although the commissioners had received copies of their applications, several asked additional questions, ranging from their views on economic growth and the current jail situation to whether they’d consider running for the seat when it is next up for a vote in the 2026 election.

Turrentine, said he had planned to run in the previous election, but deferred to Alston after the two discussed the matter.

All four said they would plan to run for the seat when their appointed term ends.

Turrentine said his main goal is having a positive impact on young people.

“We’ve got to focus on our kids at an early age,” he said, to impress upon them the value of getting an education, a job and making contributions where you live.

“Education and public safety go hand in hand,” Turrentine said. “We’ve got to support our law enforcement…everybody has that right to feel safe.” Once the county has a handle on education and public safety, economic growth is sure to follow.

Fain, a registered nurse for more than 25 years, currently is a district director for clinical services for more than a dozen senior living facilities in the region. She said the county needs more services and programs for people who need mental health support, whether to address immediate needs or long-term needs like transition housing and recovery programs.

Floyd has been a pastor for more than two decades and has been the co-chair of Community Partners of Hope for the past couple of years.

In remarks to the commissioners, Floyd said she didn’t consider herself so much a politician as “a servant leader…making a difference in the lives of the people here.”

She cited the need for jobs and affordable housing in the county. Bringing in new industry creates opportunities for people to earn money so they can afford their housing, she said.

Carpunky said the county is moving forward in the right direction as far as attracting new business is concerned.

“We need to keep moving forward,” he said, “and not be detoured.” He said the countywide water system is an asset that is attractive to prospective business and industry.

Kerr Lake is another, he said.

“The houses are coming,” Carpunky said. “We have to make sure we have the services for them.”

Listen to the entire meeting at wizs.com to hear the prospective commissioners’ complete responses.

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