Elections Times - Goss and Butler Q&A

With Election Day 2008 less than a week away, we asked the candidates on the ballot a list of questions based on the issues our readers were concerned about. Here are the answers from the candidates for the 45th District of the N.C. Senate.

Steve Goss - Democrat
Candidate Statement:

Steve Goss is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and former high school teacher and varsity football

coach. He has pastored churches in Ashe, Watauga, Duplin and Montgomery Counties in North Carolina as well as a church in Martinsville, Va. He has also served on the mission field in Tokyo, Japan, appointed by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1983.

An Ashe County native, he is married to the former Phyllis Johnson who was born in Wilkes County. Married for 36 years, they have made their home in Boone for the past 16 years after returning from the mission field. Steve has been active in community service, particularly in coaching and tutoring youth both in America and Japan.

He has a B.S. in Social Science with a Minor in Education from Appalachian State University and a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. His daughter and her husband, Kelly and David Sechrist, and their three children live in Boone. His son, Andy, is a Civil Engineer with the United States Air Force. He has just returned from Afghanistan where he had been deployed early in 2008. He and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters.

Over the years, Steve has remained an active participant in the community. In Ashe County, he served as chair of the Heart Fund Drive and is a past member of the Board of Directors of ADAP (Adult Developmental Assistance Program). As a varsity football coach, he was president of the four county District 7, 2A Football Conference that fielded teams from Ashe, Wilkes, Alleghany and Surry Counties. In other places of ministry, he has been involved in organizing a successful Community Coordination Group leading to an 80% drop in local crime within a year of its inception. Additionally, he has worked in bringing churches of widely diverse backgrounds together for worship, sports and other common activities. He actively worked with the NAACP in Duplin County, seeking to bring a sense of fairness to all schools throughout the county. For his efforts, he was appointed to the School-Community Relations Board. The voice of Steve Goss has always been considered a voice of reason. One of his favorite sayings exemplifies Steve's beliefs, "Extremism flows through many streams, but never finds the river of reason." He believes government should be about the people, not the politicians.

Jerry Butler - Republican
Candidate Statement:

May I introduce myself. I'm Jerry Butler. I want to be your North Carolina Senator in the 45th district -

Alexander, Ashe, Watauga and Wilkes counties.

My wife, Phyllis, a former teacher, and I have been married for 26 years. We have two children. Brooke, my daughter, is 18 years old and is a senior in high school. She will attend college at Chapel Hill starting August 2008. My son, Rhett, is 16. He is a sophomore in high school.

As for myself, I was adopted at age four. My step-father never finished the 8th grade. I grew up farming tobacco. It wasn't easy for me, but at least my family taught me how to work which gave me a deep respect for a dollar. Many of you probably grew up the same way.

I give full credit to one of my teachers for my going to college. She guided me and encouraged me. I think teachers have more influence than they realize. I back our teachers 100%.

I worked my way through college, then borrowed money to go to dental school. When I set up my dental practice in Boone I was deep in debt. The people in Boone were good to me. Because of these good people and the Lord's blessings, I was fortunate enough to realize the American dream. This is what I want for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. Hard work can turn into the American dream.

As for community involvement, I have served in the Jaycees, the Kiwanis club (Lt Governor), Downtown Development Board, Board of Public Health, Watauga County Hospital Staff, General Contractor License, Real Estate License and am very active in my church - Boone United Methodist Church. I have been a boy scout leader for 10 years.

My son, Rhett, is an Eagle Scout and I am very proud of his achievement. We hunt and have enjoyed hunting our entire life.

All Republicans have to come together to win our November election. I want you as a friend and ask for your support and vote in my bid for North Carolina Senator

Questions

Q. The market in Ashe County, as well as the rest of the district, is seeing some tough times with nearly 500 jobs lost in Ashe this year alone. How will you work to improve this and bring new industry to the district and, if possible, specifically to the county?

Goss: Globalization simply has not worked to date for our small towns and rural areas of North Carolina. I have continued to drive this point home with the Senate leadership on a regular basis in my first term in Raleigh. I have also made the point repeatedly to the North Carolina Department of Commerce on a regular basis. That said, we will continue to work with the Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Rural Development Center and other state level entities to make sure that our Ashe County folks who comprise one of the best workforces in the world are given an equal opportunity in recruiting 21st Century jobs to our area. The Ashe Campus of Wilkes Community College will play a key role in retraining our workforce as we move forward, and working in a collaborative effort with all stakeholders I will continue to seek opportunities for Ashe County Citizens. As a member of the Commerce Committee, I am at the forefront of seeking good paying jobs with benefits for Ashe County citizens.

Butler: As you know, the job industry is controlled by a host of variables. Good roads, corporate taxes, gas prices, intrusive fee and permit legislation, and inspection process and cost. These areas are now anti-business. Look around and you will agree that each of these problems are out of control. I am a small businessman who has created over two hundred jobs and know how to bring business relief for jobs and industry. It is time for a business leader to go to Raleigh.

Q. The Christmas tree industry in Ashe County remains an important part of the local economy, and many of the workers are immigrants brought here through the H2A and H2B programs. How do you propose to continue to bring in new workers legally without hurting the recently tougher job market for local citizens? Also, how should we deal with workers that are here illegally and the businesses that employ them?

Goss: When my family and I lived in Japan for almost five years as Christian missionaries we knew from day one that we were there for a certain period of time to do a specific task and then, we would return home to America. The law and the principle of our time in Japan were clear. In the United States, the H2A and H2B programs have the same goals in mind, but because the federal bureaucracy has made the process so cumbersome and expensive, it has become almost impossible for our farmers to navigate the process. The federal government, sooner rather than later, needs a bi-partisan effort to streamline the process. Illegal immigrants in North Carolina should be dealt with like any other person who is not obeying the law. At the state level we passed several measures to stop illegal immigration. We made it almost impossible for them to acquire a driver's license, provided funding to our sheriff's departments for enforcement of the immigration laws and voted to deport illegal immigrants. The government is in charge of deciding who is illegal, not our businesses and we cannot force our small businesses into the law enforcement arena by asking them to take the lead on the issue. It is the job of the federal government to deal with reform of the immigration laws, and then governments at every level can work together on the enforcement of those laws.

Butler: I grew up farming on a small tobacco farm. I have walked the walk and talked the talk in a farming history. Unlike my opponent, I know the vital importance of "adequate labor force." I have talked to many farmers, like the Churches. He understands the system and knows that I am interested in protecting the farming industry in Ashe County through my farming experience.

Q. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, forcing local military personnel to make repeated trips overseas to serve their third or fourth tours of duty. What ideas do you plan to propose in Raleigh to work toward an end to this conflict or at least give our soldiers a reprieve from repeated tours of duty?

Goss: Our son, Andy Goss, has just returned from his deployment in Afghanistan as a career member of the United States Air Force. Unlike his fellow soldiers, he has only been deployed one time to date. Many of America and North Carolina's finest have been deployed multiple times to the war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Policy in dealing with these wars rests with the federal government, but because our North Carolina National Guard has been at the forefront of the war zones efforts, we must continue to support them in every way possible in Raleigh at the state level. I sponsored a bill that was passed into law that provides three Family Life Centers for our National Guard members and their families. Two of them are already in place, and they provide various kinds of assistance to the members and their families, whether it be emotional or psychological support or help in other areas of their day to day lives. I will continue working on tuition relief as well as property tax relief for our brave National Guard members as well as members of our other branches of service. We will do everything possible to honor those who protect us.

Butler: The military personnel have my highest regards. Our history and the current personnel in the military are fighting to protect and build America for the future of our children and grand children. Issues of fighting a war are in the hands of Congress. That I can change legislation to bring them home to more jobs and a prosperous North Carolina is my job. I am honored to serve these brave people in every way possible.

Q. Despite progress in Iraq, many Americans still feel that Islamic extremists still pose a serious threat to the safety of the United States. In your opinion, what is the best way to work towards peace with Islamic nations and dealing with the violent groups, and what can we do on the state level to encourage this in our national leadership?

Goss: We must work hard to earn the respect of those nations who move toward a democratic society. We cannot force democracy on other nations, and at every turn we must genuinely respect the cultural differences as well as religious backgrounds of other nations around the world. As missionaries in Japan, we had to convince the people of that nation that we were not there to make them American, but we were there to share a message of hope. To get that message across we had to study their customs and religious history and let them know that our respect and understanding of their society was genuine. That said, we must always be ready to protect American lives at home and abroad. War should always be the last resort, but if it is necessary to protect our people no other nation on earth should misunderstand that we will do what is necessary to protect our freedom and the American way of life which places enormous value on the life of each individual.

Butler: No comment.

Q. The prices of gasoline and energy is still taking a toll on the citizens of the district. How do you propose that we move away from our dependence on foreign oil? Also, what forms of alternative energy do you feel are the most practical? Example: Wind Energy in the mountains.

Goss: Please see question 6 for combined answers...

Butler: We Republicans see the need for using every resource possible. We have been advocating this need for several years. It has been blocked by a Democratic legislature in Congress. Our most helpful resources today are: 1-Geothermal, 2-Wind, 3-Coal, and 4-Drill today. Vice President Candidate Sarah Palin has proven in her state of Alaska what can safely be accomplished on the Republican agenda.

Q. Rising fuel prices are driving the costs of everything up. That, compounded with rising taxes and stagnant cost of living increases to most workers, it seems that the middle class is becoming a thing of the past. What will you do to lessen the divide between rich and poor and bolster the economic status of hard working North Carolinians?

Goss: In early October, I wrote a letter to the Attorney General asking him to start a probe into the lingering gas shortage and continuing high prices of gasoline in our area. I have contacted his office numerous times over the past couple of weeks as the high prices have stubbornly not receded at a fast enough pace. I also have asked him to look into possible shortages of kerosene and the high prices associated with the shortage. Before these problems had surfaced I had written Gov. Easley to ask him to seek additional funds to assist our low income folks with the heating of their homes during the upcoming winter season. When we must pay more for gasoline, heating oil or other types of fuel we have less to buy other necessities for our families. Therefore, even with the prices decreasing we must not lose sight of the need for alternative fuels for the United States. I think every possible method of sustainable and renewable energy must be brought to the table for consideration. The short term answer may include natural gas which is cheaper than other fuels and in plentiful supply in the United States. The technology is present like no time before for us to look at every possible source of energy. If we move forward seeking new discoveries as we have in past centuries and decades, we will see jobs brought to our state and district through our efforts.

The middle class in our democracy is what sets us apart from the totalitarian regimes of history. For the middle class to get back on its feet and flourish it will take an innovative effort similar to the WPA, CCC, and many other projects of the 1930's to put people back to work. Today similar programs can be used to rebuild America's infrastructure including highways, bridges, new dams for water for generations to come, sewer lines, etc. Thirty years ago through revenue sharing the federal government assisted states and local communities by paying up to 80% of infrastructure costs. That amount has fallen over the years to under five percent. It is time to bring America back to the pinnacle of what mankind can accomplish. If we move forward in this manner, new discoveries will not be far behind.

Butler: To protect us in the middle class with good incomes we have to create a business climate that promotes small business. I covered this in a previous answer above. The Democrats have been in power in Raleigh too long. Their tax and spend plans have hurt small business. Hold your hand up if you think things are better now. I want to be your conservative voice in Raleigh to help drive business. Every American deserves a good job. I am your man for this task.

Q. What do you feel has been the biggest accomplishment of your time in office, specifically in 2008. If re-elected what will you focus on during your next term?

Goss: I sponsored or co-sponsored well over 100 bills in my first term and saw a number of them become law. I think my biggest accomplishment however is found in the way I have approached this job as state legislator through the eyes of a minister. I have personally answered over 20,000 e-mails and 5,000 phone calls. Also I have held Neighborhood Office Hours across the district on a regular basis. Specific to Ashe County I brought home the Forestry Headquarters which had been sought for over 40 years, secured promises from the state that the Upper Mountain Research Station would remain open permanently, and even before I was sworn into office, brokered a deal which led to the immediate reopening of the license tag office in the county after its untimely closure. I worked hard to help save Pond Mountain for conservation purposes. Additionally, I helped secure grants for the hospital, our towns and county including Parks and Recreation as well as the large economic development grant near the end of the session. I suppose my biggest honor came when the NCNR named me Legislator of the Year. I also felt honored when I was chosen co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Drought Response and subsequently secured millions of dollars for our agricultural community including Ashe County.

Q. What do you feel has been the biggest failure of your opponents' time in office, specifically failures in 2008? If elected, what will you focus on during your Freshman term?

Butler: The issues I mention here are confirmed by recorded votes Mr. Goss has on record.

1. He voted to put the tax payers in North Carolina over 2 billion dollars in debt.
2. He voted to cut the teachers bonus pay.
3. He has supported the highest gas tax in the south east.
4. He has supported an anti-business climate that has created the highest unemployment rate that we have seen in 10 years. This is causing our citizens pain and suffering.
5. Our school drop out rate has grown worse for poor mandates from Raleigh.

He has spent school money in the wrong places. It should be going to our teachers. Over spending in Raleigh school administration is hurting our teachers and students.

My focus will be 1) creating jobs by building a job friendly environment, and 2) Solving our education problems by bringing money out of Raleigh administration to pay our teachers and empower both our teachers and parents.

Q. What is your opinion on your party's candidate for governor. What do you think are his/her biggest strengths and what do you see as his/her biggest challenges if elected/re-elected?

Goss: I do not endorse any other candidates at any level. I did have the privilege of working with Lt. Gov. Perdue since she is President of the Senate in her present role. She is smart, decisive, fair and loves North Carolina above all else.

Butler: Pat McCrory has had several terms of running one of the largest businesses in North Carolina. This gives him a strong background of financial management. I plan to help run a fiscally responsible budget for North Carolina. My opponent voted to put the tax-paying citizen over 2 billion dollars in debt. This is no way to run a family budget and it is certainly no way to run a government, either. You can see why we are in trouble in North Carolina with the highest unemployment rate in 10 years. I am a small businessman and I will help create jobs and industry for our citizens.

Please feel free to make any specific points you feel are important, but were not mentioned in the above questions.

Goss: One quick addendum to my answers...on the answer I gave about a new infrastructure initiative...one possible program could possibly be an EDC or Energy Conservation Corp. which would be charged with developing sustainable and renewable energy sources for our nation and the world.