W E S T E R N P I E D M O N T

SSUES

ELECTIONOCTOBER 1 7:00 PM MOORE AUDITORIUM

Bettina Gregory : Senior CorrespondentABC News

OCTOBER 3 7:00 PM MOORE AUDITORIUMDan Gurley : Political Director Of The

North Carolina Republican Party

OCTOBER 7 11:00 AM HILDEERAN HALL CAFETERIABurke County Commisioners

Candidate Forum

OCTOBER 8 7:00 PM MOORE AUDITORIUMLibba Evans : Chairperson Of TheNorth Carolina Democratic Party

ISREMEMBER TO VOTE

Auxiliary aids and alternate formats are availableupon request. 48 hours notice is required prior toa college sponsored event. Please call...Please call 438-6052 (V) or 438-6066 (TDD) COMMUNITY COLLEGE

GOP official predicts wins GOPBy JOHN McNAMAKANews Herald Staff Writer

Calling (he Republican Parly the "party of ideas,"N.C. Republican Party Political Director Dan Gurleysaid the GOP is becoming the party of choice in Ameri-ca and wil l make gains al ter the Nov. 5 election.

Gurley. a Spruce Pine native and former chairman ofthe N.C. Republican Party, spoke before more than SOstudents and other local residents during the Fall Speak-ers Forum at Moore Auditorium on the Western Pied-mont Community College campus Thursday evening.

The series continues Monday morning at I I a.m. inthe Hildcbran Hall Cafeteria with a candidate forumfeaturing all six candidates for Burke County Board ofCommissioners, and concludes Tuesday evening at 7p.m. in Moore Auditorium with Libba Evans, chairmanof the N.C. Democratic Parly.

Gurley said predicted Republicans wil l take severaloffices following the November elections, including theWhile House, council of stale seals and possible con-trol of the state senate.

He said Bob Dole only trails Bill Clinton by abouteight points in national polls, al though three pollsreleased earlier lliis week indicated gaps of at least 18percent, wjth about five weeks left in the campaign.

"Ever since the convention, there has been a steadynarrowing of the lead and that wi l l continue," Gurleysaid. "1 think we will see the campaign more sharplyfocused on the main themes of the Dole-Kemp cam-

paign, problems with drug usage, the Dole-Kemp eco-nomic plan and the true liberal agenda of Bill Clinton."

Gurley was less optimistic about Rep. Robin Hayes'chances o f c a t c h i n g Gov. J im H u n t . Gur ley sa idalthough Hayes has worked lo close his large pollinggaps, Hunt received a boost from Hurricane Fran thatcould propel the Democrat to his fourth term.

"Hunt got to look gubernatorial, flying around sur-veying hur r icane damage, cal l ing out the Nat ionalGuard," he said.

Although public polls show Hunt comfortably ahead,Gurley said internal party polls showed Hayes gaining.

At Ihe General Assembly level, Gurley said the 68-'52 split in the stale house, in favor of Republicans, willremain about the same, while he thought the GOP couldpick up some seats in the state senate, which is current-ly controlled by the Democrats 26-24.

Gurley said the party had targeted some Democraticrepresentatives, including Rep. Robert Hunter of Mari-on, as vulnerable, however, gaining the senate is a toppriority.

"In addit ion to implementing Ihe Republican agenda,(he courts have said North Carolina has to finish Con-gressional rcdislricting by April 1, and it is imperativeIhat we lake control beforehand," he said.

Gurley said many of the contested seats will be in(he eastern part of the state, including those of Sens.Beverly Perdue of Craven County, Charles Albertson ofDuplin County and the seat vacated when Sen. James

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From Page One

Duplin County and the seat vacatedwhen Sen. Jaines Speed of FranklinCounty retired.

At the council of state level,Gurley said the many of the elec-tions will hinge on the coattails ofnational candidates, such as Doleand Sen. Jesse Helms.

"Many voters are not familiarwith the candidates, and so theyfall back on party recognition," hesaid, pointing out Democrats repre-sent about 56 percent of the votersin the slate, while another 35 per-cent call themselves Republicans."We still should do well. Bob Doleis running good, Jesse Helms is infantastic shape and Richard Pettyhas just about 100 percent namerecognition."

Gurley said the Republican Par-ty, nationwide and in the Soulh, isbecoming tlie party of choice formany voters, noting that the partyincreased its registered voters by2.9 percent in the South last year,while Democrats only gained 1.2percent. In North Carolina, theGOP picked up 450,000 voterswhile the Democrats gained lessthan 100,000.

"We are the party of ideas," hesaid. "We are genera t ing newideas, we arc full of new faces. Ittakes a diverse group of people toput out those diverse ideas."

Commissioners to hold debate MondayBy The News Staff

The qu ie t 1996 campaignpromises to liven up Monday mom-ing as candidates for Burke CountyBoard of Commissioners hold theirfirst debate.

The forum will begin at 11 a.m.in the Hildebran Hall Cafeteria ofWestern Piedmont Community Col-lege.

Dr. Carol West, dean of theHumanities/Social Sciences Divi-sion at WPCC, the host division forthe debate, said all six candidatesfor commissioner are expected toattend.

"Obviously, we encourage ourstudents to attend," West said, "but

this forum is open to the communi-ty. Last time, we had an excellentgeneral community turnout"

Candidates for county commis-sioner are: Democrats Ray Ander-son, David Campbell and JessCrowder, and Republicans Graham"Pee Wee" Anderson, Larry Huff-man and Mary Pittillo.

With three seats up for grabs onthe five-member board, the Nov. 5election could determine which par-ty gains control of the county com-mission for at least the next twoyears. Incumbent CommissionerJimmy Jacumin and CommissionChairman J.R. Simpson, bothRepublicans, serve until 1998.

West said Monday's forum will

follow a traditional debate formatwith each candidate given aboutfive minutes for an opening address,a 10-minute question-and-answersession from the public and theneach candidate will have three min-utes for wrap-up. West said theforum should last for about an hour.

Ralph Strickland, an instructor ofsociology and political science, willserve as moderator of the event.

The commissioner forum is thethird in Western Piedmont FallSpeakers Forum series. The fourthand final even t , f e a tu r ing N.C.Democratic Party Chairman LibbaEvans, will be Tuesday night at 7 inMoore Auditorium.

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By JOHN McNAMARANews Herald Staff Writer

After being pounded dur ingmid-term elections two years ago,the DemocraticParty is poisedfor a comeback,state partychairman LibbaEvans saidTuesday night.

Speaking inthe final part ofa four-part FallSpeakers Forumat Western Pied-mont Communi-ty College,Evans said the Democrat Partystands to make gains in both stateand national races in November'sgeneral election.

Evans said she expects Democ-rats can retake control of the N.C.House of Representatives and pos-sibly regain control of both housesof Congress.

"It would take a lot in some ofthe races, but it could happen if weget people out and vote," she said.

Evans said some conservativepolitical publications are alreadypredicting the Democratic Partywill pick up three seats in the statehouse, with about 11 more up forgrabs. Currently, Republicans con-trol the N.C. House by a 68-52margin.

On the N.C. Senate side, Evanssaid she sees Democrats retainingtheir 26-24 advantage, possiblypicking up one or two seats, but notmuch more.

"They (Senate Democrats) didnot lose in 1992. Many of themheld on by the slimmest of mar-gins, but they held on" she said."Some people are saying that thesenators aren't as hungry for a win(as the representatives) becausethey didn't lose."

Evans said the Democratsshould evenly split the N.C. Con-gressional delegation 6-6, pickingup two seats.

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WPCC speaker says electionis now Bill Clinton's to loseBy JOHN CALLAIIAMNews Herald Staff Writer

The 1996 presidential election may look l ike Bi l lClinton's to win. but a long-time ABC News reportersaid Tuesday in Morganton that no one should give theelection to the President just yet.

"The election could change in a flash of lightning."said Beltina Gregory, a 22-year veteran of ABC Newsin both television and radio, in a address made at West-ern Piedmont Community College.

Gregory's speech was the first of four events atWPCC's Fall Speakers Forum, which this year has poli-tics and the November elections as its theme.

Gregory said that ABC's polls and research doesshow thai Clinton has a substantial lead over his GOP

rival Bob Dole for the presidency.ABC's polls also show that Dole is ahead in North

Carolina. Dole seems to have a foothold of support inthe Southern states current ly, while Clinton has hisstrength in the Northeast and West.

Gregory said the best description of the current elec-t ion she has seen is a recent poli t ical cartoon. "Itshowed Dole chanting, 'Liberal, Liberal,' (Ross) Perotchanting 'Lawsuit. Lawsuit,' and finally Clinton chanti-ng 'Landslide, Landslide.' "

Gregory said Clinton could be elected by a landslidetoday, but she said the important thing to-rememberis.'The election is not today,"

Gregory said that since she has been covering presi-dential elections in 1976, "this current election has had

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WPCC speakerFrom Page One

the least interest."She thinks the reason for that is

because a lot of people are lookingat the current candidates and seeingnothing they like.

That's why she said that thirdparty candidates will become moreof a force in the presidential elec-tions in the future as both theRepublican and Democratic partiesmove more to the right and left,respectively, in the political spec-trum.

As proof of that, Gregory point-ed to the nation's disappointmentwhen General Colin Powell decid-ed not to run for the presidency."Americans are hungry for lead-ers." Gregory said.

Gregory said that Dole has runan inept campaign, but he actuallyhas the opposite effect on peoplethan most politicians do. "Most ofthem seem nice and people whoknow them say they they really arehard to work with."

"Dole, on the other hand, haspeople believing he is hard-nosed,but people who know him say thathe is a pretty good guy."

Gregory said that Dole beatsClinton on the character issue, but

that is not enough to win an elec-tion. "Most people vote their pock-etbook, " she said, "and right nowthe economy is good"

Dole has tried to latch on toissues that might damage Clinton,but Gregory said that in most cases.Clinton has defeated any suchmoves. "Dole says Clinton is nottough on crime, but Clinton signsthe crime bill. Dole says that Clin-ton is for big government, but Clin-ton signs the welfare reform bill."

Clinton also loves to campaignand meet people, Gregory said,while Dole is uncomfortable incampaigning.

Even though Clinton seems tohave the election locked up, his par-ty members are still fearing an"October surprise" might turn up."It's that way for both parlies."Gregory said.

Possible surprises includeWhitewater, which Gregory saidcould be a problem if Hillary Clin-ton is indicted by the independentcounsel in Arkansas. Gregory saidHillary's reluctance to give outinformation on Whitewater hasmade the situation worse than itreally is.

The Middle East situation is also

suitably volatile to become a prob-lem for Clinton, and somethingunexpected could also come up,like the revelations of Clinton'sadvisor Dick Morris having anaffair with a prostitute.

Still, Clinton managed to getthrough even that embarrassingmoment. "1 got asked by peoplehow Clinton managed to get Sad-dam Hussian to attack the day afterthe Dick Morris affair came out,"Gregory said.

The First Lady was also a topicof discussion. Gregory said that allof the First Ladies have had a lot ofinfluence, but that "Hillary is thefirst to actually say it, and that rubssome people the wrong way."

As an example, Gregory saidthat during Ronald Reagan's finaltwo years as President, he started tofeel the effects of Alzhimer's dis-ease and that Nancy Reagan had tohelp him extensively. "For the finaltwo years, Nancy Reagan was thede facto President"

Gregory did say to the audiencethat it is very important to go outand vote, especially for young peo-ple. "It affects your lives, your fam-

' Hy, your children. Your vote reallymakes a difference."

Page 14 - The News Herald, Morganton, N.C., Tuesday. October 8,1996

DebateContinued from Page One

"The five people need to workas a team. I am tired of the partisanpolitics. I don't believe in it, I don'tsupport it. I think we can all worktogether for the betterment of BurkeCounty," he said.

Democrat Jess Crowder, whoblasted the Republican-controlledcommission for allegedly allowingthe county fund balance to drop todangerous levels, joined the chorusin calls for unity.

"If I'm elected to the commis-sion, I will bring unity to the board,I will bring honesty to the board,"he said.

Republican Larry Huffman,whom Jacumin defeated in the 1994Republican primary, also soundedoff on the need for better relationson the commission.

"If elected I will work towardunity and harmony on the board, wecannot have 3-2 votes. We have towork as a team," said the formercommission chairman. "During mytwo years as chairman, we averaged98 percent of 5-0 votes. We workedas a team on issues."

Republican Graham "Pee Wee"Anderson, who replaced McCurrywith the backing of Jacumin,defended Jacumin.

"He has never done anythingwithout the best interests of everyman, woman and child in BurkeCounty," he said. "Jimmy is thekind of man who sees what needsto be done and gets the job done. Ifyou stand in his way, you'll get runover."

Anderson said his first fourmonths on the board showed howlie would help govern in the future,

carefully spending county tax dol-lars.

"I believe in government likeyou do, which means you operatewithin the means of the incomecoming in," he said. "You have tokeep all citizens in mind when tax-ing. This board has done that in thepast four months."

Republican Mary Pittillo stayedaway from the entire Jacumin/com-mission unity question, stickinginstead to her prepared remarks ofmaking Burke County a family-friendly community through typi-cally Republican themes — stress-ing family values, fighting crime,improving schools, supportingsmall businesses and fighting formore local control.

Pittillo also took time to supportRepublican presidential candidateBob Dole and his 15 percent tax cutplan.

On education issues, the candi-dates praised the work done atWPCC and promised to support thecommunity college and publicschools if elected.

Candidates did differ, however,on how to solve the school over-crowding problem, particularly atthe county's middle schools.

Graham Anderson, Ray Ander-son and Huffman all said theythought the current school setup,elementary school, middle schooland high school, is probably toblame for the situation.

Graham Anderson and RayAnderson said they favored return-ing to the old formula of elemen-tary school, junior high school andhigh school. Huffman said while hefavored the old system, it is primar-

ily a school board decision.Crowder, Campbell and Pittillo

said the decision for changing theschool make-up should be left tothe school board, although Crowdersuggested appointing an indepen-dent commission to study the prob-lem.

On the issue of the Lake JamesVolunteer Fire Department, RayAnderson, Campbell, Crowder andHuffman all said the county shouldend the lawsuit and revert back tothe original contract

"We are fighting over somethingthat doesn't amount to a hill ofbeans," Ray Anderson said.

The question was not directed atGraham Anderson, who has sup-ported the county's defense as acommissioner, and Pittillo said shedid not know enough about theissue to comment

On the issue of funding for thehealth department, Ray Anderson,Campbell, Crowder and Huffmansaid the county should have fullyfunded the health department dur-ing the budget process in June.

"This is an issue of cutting taxesand in doing so cutting the salariesof employees," Huffman said. "Wehave lost nine of the top people inBurke County this year."

"This is just another example ofhow Jimmy Jacumin and the thisboard operates," Crowder said."They have delayed a decision untilit already hurts the department"

The question was not directed atAnderson, who voted to cut thehealth department funding, and Pit-tillo said she did not know enoughabout the topic to comment

Jacumin becomestopic of debateBy JOHN McNAMARANews Herald Staff Writer

Education, county finances andCounty Commissioner J immyJacumin were the hot topics as thesix county commission candidatessquared off in the first local debateof the election season.

Speaking before a group ofWestern Piedmont Community Col-lege students and dozens of othercounty residents, the candidates,three Democrats and three Republi'cans, directed many commentstoward the community college, butstill managed to cover a myriad ofother issues.

But Jacumin, a Republican whohas become the dominant member

of the county commission since theresignation of former CommissionChairman Tom McCurry in May,quickly became the target ofattacks, par t icu lar ly from theDemocrats.

"I do not believe in one man rulein anything. It's not good manage-ment, it's not good principle," saidDemocrat Ray Anderson, who com-pared Jacumin's dominance to Hit-lerism. "It is a five-man board andeach member has the right to agreeand the right to disagree."

Democrat David Campbell, thetop vote-getter in the May Democ-ratic primary, said the county com-mission needs more unity.

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