Note: This is the first of five TownTalk segments to provide election coverage for the upcoming Oct. 10 municipal elections in Henderson. Today, we’ll hear from the four candidates for the Ward 1 City Council seat.
WIZS posed the same questions to all 17 candidates running for the five races – mayor, Ward 1 and Ward 2 seats, as well as the at-large seats in Wards 3 and 4.
Some of the candidates responded to the questions in written form and others were recorded in phone interviews and their responses were transcribed for inclusion in this story. Online readers will notice direct quotes in the answers; information not in direct quotes is paraphrased to provide concise text and readability.
The candidates’ responses appear in alphabetical order, beginning with Geraldine Champion and continuing with Symia Crews, Clementine Hunter and Corey Pearson.
Tune in to TownTalk Thursday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. to hear Ward 2 candidates’ answers.
- Why are you running for elected office?
Geraldine Champion: “I am running because I hear the needs of the people of not only Ward 1, but of the city. I have contact with these people not only during election years, but throughout the year. Some of their needs and concerns are similar to mine. They are concerned about the crime rate, the downtown area, the need for assistance and not being able to get it, the cost of living and being able to have adequate and affordable housing. There are so many concerns. I am running because I care. I have talked about doing things for years…I want to go to a new level and prove that I’m one of those people who cares about this community. I’m running for someone who cannot speak up for themselves.”
Symia Crews: “I would like to bridge the gap by rebuilding trust and creating transparency between local government and the citizens of Vance County. The residents here have a right to live and raise children in a clean, safe and growing community. I am running to protect and maintain that right. I want to be a part of the enhancement and development of the city and bring a young, positive and forward-thinking voice to the table.”
Clementine Hunter: “I am running, seeking elected office to serve and give back, to give back and serve. Opportunities, great or small have been, and are being afforded me which obligates (me) to give back. The end goal is also a desire to make family and community a better place to live, work, recreate and worship.”
Corey Pearson: Pearson has said he has a desire to be “the voice of the people.” At age 28, Pearson said he feels at home in Henderson, and it’s the place where he wants to raise a family.
- What’s your platform?
Champion: Downtown Development, Economic Development and Public Safety/Policing
“I want to be the representative that anybody can approach,” Champion said. “I want to be able to vote on some of the things that affect this community, not just Ward 1.” She said her platform includes honesty, transparency and integrity. “I know how part of our community has suffered. I want them to know they are not alone. I’m running for someone who cannot speak for themselves. Anything that I can do to help somebody, I’m going to do it.”
Crews: Quality and Affordable Housing, Neighborhood Revitalization, Labor and Workforce Development, Community Policing and Engagement and Advocacy for Tenants and Homeless Shelters.
Hunter: Hunter said she does not have a platform, per se, but keeps a checklist that she updates regularly of basic human needs, including:
Affordable housing
Economic development
Employment and opportunities
Food
Health care
Safety
Pearson: “Having a safer community, a vibrant downtown, providing a living wage for people and opportunities for everyone, all ethnicities and all cultures…For the last four years, I’ve done the most I can as a business owner,” to provide employees with a living wage. He said his downtown business is something that can produce economic value to the community. “We’re always looking for that next entrepreneur, next bakery person, someone we can elevate to that this area does prosper.”
- What are the top three issues that, in your opinion, this city faces in the next two years? Five years?
Champion: “The top three issues are the same as my platform,” Champion said. “Economic Development: jobs are needed that will allow people to maintain their household and allow people to be able to take care of their families. Downtown Development: our downtown is outdated. Too many empty buildings that need to be revitalized. There needs to be an expansion included with this development. We have areas that are in need of being developed. On Norlina Road, development needs to happen there. Andrews Avenue needs to be developed to accommodate that traffic off US 1. The traffic is horrendous on Dabney Drive, as well as the streets. Some of this traffic comes off US 1 to Dabney. Public Safety: it’s obvious that more officers are needed. Officers are coming, getting experience here and then leaving to go to other cities.”
Crews: “Increase in homelessness, the reading proficiency score that is currently at 27% for Vance County Public Schools will continue to decrease while chronic absenteeism which is over 50 percent will increase. The physical deterioration of our neighborhoods will result in an increase in crime and drug-related activity.”
Hunter: “The City faces in the next five years, and beyond, three basic needs: Food, Economic development and Safety.”
Pearson: Pearson said issues include making communities safer, having a vibrant downtown, a lack of affordable housing and providing a living wage for people while providing opportunities for people of all backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures.
“The way the housing is, is ridiculous,” Pearson said. “It’s not affordable for the average person, and not for the disadvantaged.” Another issue he cited is the problem of trash. Increased home ownership would encourage people to take pride in their property, which could increase safety and decrease the trash problem.
4. As an elected official, how will you address these issues?
Champion: “I can’t do anything by myself – it has to be a collaborative effort on behalf of everybody. I would like for us to be able to sit down and agree or agree to disagree and try to figure out what’s the best route.” Henderson officials need to find out what’s working in surrounding areas to combat similar challenges, she said.
“If we sit down and we go back and forth about what we want and come to a conclusion, I think Henderson would be a better place…if we say we want what’s best for Henderson…we ought to all be able to sit down and try to figure out what we can do. We need to talk with each other and not at each other.”
Crews: “My goal is to work with elected officials to secure funding for our homeless shelters to expand and obtain the proper resources as well as educating our tenants on their rights and incentivizing an eviction protection program for those who are at risk of eviction. Through community partnerships, we can prioritize programs that increase educational attainment, including job training, internships, and apprenticeships. Provide proper funding for our libraries and securing resources essential to providing a quality educational system. Neighborhood revitalization is important. We have a growing body of evidence that supports the idea that mowing, landscaping and revitalizing physical spaces in neighborhoods can reduce violence, assault and drug-related activity and improve neighborhood safety.”
Hunter: “As an elected official, periodic meetings with community, higher officials, organizations and agencies are important to learn what the specific issues are; then coordinate to work out solutions.”
Pearson: Pearson said crime in Henderson must be addressed and that safety and security are vital for a thriving downtown. He looks forward to open discussion on ways the community can work together to solve this issue. A vibrant downtown district is a vision of Pearson. “I want to see our downtown thrive and prosper once again,” he stated. He said his experience as a downtown business owner puts him in a position to help the city accomplish that goal. Pearson said he wants to attract restaurants, family focused fun and other establishments for the community to enjoy “to make our city a place that people all around us will say, ‘Henderson is a place I want to live.'”
- What is your experience in the public sector?
Champion: “I have been involved in politics and other organizations since I was 18 years old. I am now 62, but I wanted to know what I could do to contribute to the city that I love and live in. I began to plan toy and food drives. I got on board with the Henderson/Vance Recreation Department where my name is displayed on a plaque in the lobby at the Aycock Complex.”
She was a member of the Henderson/Vance Human Relations and the board of the Henderson/Vance Weed and Seed and chaired the Public Relations Committee at Vance Granville Community College. “More recently – and one of my proudest accomplishments – was being a Client Council member and sitting on the Board of Directors with Legal Aid of NC (until my term ended where I have been asked to return).”
Crews: “This is a new endeavor for me, and where I lack on paper in terms of experience, I can make up for that in life experiences. I’ve worked in customer service since I was 14 years old, I care-give for my mother who has a disability, I work for a state facility that supports individuals with IDD, and I served in the US Navy. I understand the importance of advocacy and devoting your life to the services of others.”
Hunter: Hunter was appointed to serve a term on the Vance County Board of Education and spent two and a half years there. She also served on the Adjustment and Zoning Board for two years. Currently she is a volunteer on the Henderson Recreation Commission.
Pearson: Pearson said his experience in the public sector is quite limited, but he has traveled the world over the past decade in a private sector role that involved training law enforcement personnel and the military. He has developed training courses and has worked “with many excellent folks that come from all walks of life.”
- If you’re a newcomer to politics, what role do you see yourself playing as a member of an elected body?
Champion: “I see myself as being the voice of so many citizens who do not feel that they have a voice. I see myself as agreeing with what is right and disagreeing with what my conscience feels is not right. I believe that I can be the best voice, because I am willing to listen, dissect and put myself in others’ place. I may not agree with everything that another person believes in, but I will be open and respect their opinions. I have been in, and in some instances I am still in, some of the hardship places that some of our citizens are in. I want to be the voice of reason and the listening ear to those who feel like no one cares, not just for this Ward but for the entire city. I want to let others know you are not alone in your struggle. Let’s sit down and figure out what and if we can do anything about it. Most importantly though, whether I win or lose, I want to help someone along the way.”
Crews: “Some of our most vulnerable citizens have been met with indifference, lip service or an incessant chorus of ‘it’s not in the budget.’ I want to ensure that even the least represented are invited and heard.”
Hunter: “When elected as City Council member, role playing involves sharing life and work experiences with elected body members that will shine light and help to move the city forward. Each member plays a role that will benefit the entire body.”
Pearson: Pearson said he looks forward to being part of an elected body to collaborate to address issues. “I don’t see myself being a dominant force or a dominant voice, unless it’s an accountability issue. I will do everything in my ability to make sure problems are addressed.”
Pearson said his experience working on teams is a plus. The synergy created through teamwork is a positive energy. “I’m very enthusiastic about getting things done,” he said.
- Please share any additional information that you want voter to know about you.
Champion: “I have been a resident of Henderson my entire life – I’ve seen the good, the bad and the indifferent. I would love to be able to see older people and children sitting on the porch and playing in the yard, see the downtown flourish. I will not come around only during elections, but I will be around and will make my phone number accessible” to voters, she added. “I will not come into our neighborhoods to put up a sign, because now I need you to vote for me. You need me for any reasonable request…let me know and I will try everything within my power to be there. And if I personally cannot help you I will try to help you with a solution. It doesn’t matter if I have a seat with the Council or (am) just a private citizen.
Crews: “I want to highlight the fact that we serve the people, and we need the input of everyone when we make decisions. We can get excited about the future. Turning the focus back to you, the people and putting your voice first. There’s hope in our community and I think we should all be excited.”
Hunter: Born and raised in Granville County, Hunter attended public schools in Granville County and currently teaches and tutors Reading and Math there. “I have family up and down the East Coast to Texas. I am a lifelong learner with an earned Master’s in Education and Training; and am pursuing a doctorate in Education. I enjoy gardening, fishing, golf; (and I) am health and wellness conscious. I love God and community.
Pearson: “My dad always taught me to stand on my own merits,” Pearson said. “I let people know that I am Dr. Stephen F. Pearson’s son. He was a catalyst for the community. “Every street I walk on I feel his presence…and I feel that he touched this town and that’s what his legacy will be.” Pearson said his father passed the torch to him to keep the flame burning and the fire stoked to help Henderson.
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