PENDER COUNTY — Republican Randy Burton is hoping to secure a seat for the Pender County Commissioners this year, to serve district 2.
READ MORE: What to expect when voting in NC during the 2024 election season
He has a three-decade career serving as a first responder, in law enforcement in both Wilmington and New Hanover counties as a deputy sheriff and a narcotics detective. He then transitioned into a full-time firefighter, working his way through the ranks, and retired in 2018 as operations battalion chief with the Wilmington Fire Department.
“I assisted in budget development and played a key role in the administration, implementation and oversight of a $14-plus million-dollar budget,” Burton said. “I assisted in development of the first Community Risk Reduction citywide program that became a national model for career fire departments and was one of three Public Information Officers that communicated regularly with media and the citizens of Wilmington.”
In 2019, Burton began working as a criminal investigator with Novant NHRMC Police Department. He is married with three children and lives in Scotts Hill currently, though Burton’s family has ties to Rocky Point for 150 years.
He sought public office before, both in 2018 and 2022 for the Pender County Sheriff position but lost to Alan Cutler.
“I have spent my entire adult life in county and municipal government and fully understand the functions, planning for growth and budgeting processes that a board/manager form of government operate under,” he said. “I have developed many great working relationships with key leaders in our communities along with various community based organizations. Being 57 years old, I have witnessed the growth and transformation of Pender County feel that I am qualified to represent our citizens in an important time such as this.”
Burton cites road infrastructure, additional schools and water and sewer capacity as his top priorities. He faces off against Democratic candidate Dan Kinney.
| What Randy Burton is… • Listening to: Classic rock, country music and the citizens I serve. • Watching: National news (Fox) mostly and love to watch The Food Network, Andy Griffith and Discovery • Reading: I read local, state and national articles on various topics. • Name something about yourself that readers would be surprised to learn: My wife and I fish a highly competitive off-shore King Mackerel Tournament Circuit and are the current reining National Champions for the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association) |
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Absentee ballots are already being mailed and early voting opens mid-October. Locations include:
- Pender County Annex Building, 15060 U.S. Hwy 17, Hampstead
- Cooperative Extension Annexation, 801 S. Walker St., Burgaw
- Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department, 19170 U.S. Hwy 421, Watha
- Cape Fear Community College, 621 N.C. Hwy 210 E., Hampstead
- Union Rescue Squad Building, 8590 N.C. Hwy 11, Willard
Voters will be able to cast ballots at any of the above places and even register to vote beforehand on Oct. 17-18, Oct. 21-25, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 20 and 26, and Nov. 2, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Election Day is Nov. 5, with polls opening at 6:30 a.m. and closing at 7:30 p.m. All voters will have to go to their precinct to cast a ballot, as shown on their voter registry.
An ID must be presented to cast a ballot in the election. Acceptable forms of ID include NC drivers license or state ID, U.S. passport, college or student university ID, some state employee IDs and out-of-state drivers license or ID, as long as voter registration was done within 90 days of the election. IDs not in good standing can be expired by one year or less.
Port City Daily has compiled candidate questionnaires so voters can read up on contenders’ stances before heading to the polls this election season. All answers have been edited only for clarity; the candidates’ opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
The paywall is dropped on profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of the election.
Port City Daily: What are the top three items you’re campaigning on this season and why?
Randy Burton: 1. Additional roads and highways to handle our increased population growth.
2. Additional Schools for the population growth we are experiencing
3. Additional water and sewer capacity for our growing needs.
All the three above issues are the direct outcome of the rapid growth our county has been experiencing over the past several years and needs to be addressed in a proactive common-sense manner going forward.
PCD: Name an issue you struggle to find a solution for that affects your district and how would you go about determining a path forward? If you have a personal anecdote to share that has helped guide you in deciding how to move forward, please, share.
RB: I would say in my district it has to be the citizen’s concern about rapid growth and development. The solution is not an easy one, but I think transparency with our citizens along with information sharing as to property rights and development are crucial. There are a lot of citizens that do not know that the commissioners can’t dictate or stop development that is going through the legal processes that exist.
PCD: With recent flooding experienced in Pender County homes and on roads from Tropical Storm Debby, there has been chatter among the current board of commissioners regarding clear-cutting and ways to prevent worse flooding, as development continuously grows. Amending the UDO has been considered and a tree ordinance has been floated; do you support either, why, and what else would you want to happen to balance development with current residents’ concerns and infrastructure needs?
RB: I do favor a tree ordinance that would only allow trees for removal that impact the property developer’s plan and would save others that would be more pleasing to the environment, of course this would need to be on a case by case review of those plans that are submitted. We are underway now in updating the UDO to reflect the everchanging environmental impacts development causes but with everyone in mind, citizens, developers and businesses.
PCD: According to the North Carolina Housing Coalition’s 2024 Housing Need Survey, 49% of renters and 21% of homeowners in Pender County are cost-burdened. What new policies or strategies would you advocate for to encourage affordable housing in the county?
RB: Unfortunately, this question should be directed to the national government which has far more reaching policies that drive the real estate market. If I could do one thing that would help it would be to unleash regulations that have been enacted to choke off energy production which we all know energy drives our national survival.
PCD: Recently, it’s become known that a public housing development, Seven Oaks, in Pender County has experienced residents complaints for at least two years about mold, but they say it went unaddressed. What do you think should be done to prevent a situation like this occurring in the future and should Pender County also harbor some of this responsibility? Explain. Do you think there should be more oversight into the housing authority? How, if so?
RB: I will answer this by stating an old saying I heard long ago: There are three sides to a story — yours, mine and the truth. The oversight question is always a good one that needs discussion from time to time. I am always in favor of accountability at all levels.
PCD: Do you think schools are adequately funded? Where might it be lacking and how do you think the commissioners should address this shortage?
RB: The Board of Education struggles with funds as all counties do, with that being said it’s a question of just how much our citizens are willing to pay for it. I am a propionate low taxes with the understanding that every so often they need to be adjusted for the needs of our citizens.
PCD: PFAS and 1,4-dioxane contamination in the region has been a major concern for residents in recent years. Would you advocate the county to lobby for any specific legislation or regulation on this issue, such as the Department of Environmental Quality’s proposals to enact surface and groundwater standards for eight PFAS compounds? Would you support efforts to expand local authority of environmental regulation, or advocate any other county action on this issue?
RB: I would advocate for anything that would hold any business or industry accountable for unlawful actions. I think the state and federal agencies that oversee this are capable of this job and I am not in favor of adding another layer of local government that would be basically doing redundant work at the tax payer’s expense.
PCD: Pender approved a $42,000 lobbying contract this year to advocate for issues including the construction of a new law enforcement center and PFAS regulation. Would you seek to amend or reprioritize Pender County’s lobbying efforts? How?
RB: I am basically in favor of the most efficient means of bringing our citizen’s needs to the front of the line in both Raleigh and DC. Just like any other contract company, this needs to be watched closely so our citizens get the best outcome.
PCD: What would you like to see the county do to further economic development and draw in businesses to the region? Are you a proponent of incentives? Explain.
RB: The best way to help our citizens with infrastructure and jobs needs is to promote business and industry. Pender county is greatly suited for this with our commerce park and other potential areas. Jobs help foster growth and business adds to the tax base to help in offsetting infrastructure costs. Some incentives are not a bad thing, incentives are ingrained in our everyday lives such as gas, food, material prices, you are going to buy where the best incentive to buy is.
PCD: Take us through your process to decide whether taxes should be increased on constituents and what plays into that decision for you.
RB: That is just a common-sense approach (which many politicians do not possess). Time to time you have to seek transparent input from citizens in your deliberations and discuss the needs with those you serve, you would be surprised what the citizens would agree with after respectful conversation as to the county’s needs.
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