I believe I live my life like the majority of my fellow North Carolinians and Lenoir County residents. I am a small business owner; my wife and I have focused our energy on our family, our church and our community. I give my extra time to help the booster club at our children’s high school and I enjoy spending time with good people in our community.

Like the majority of my fellow Lenoir County residents, I have never spent much time or energy on anything related to politics. As a business owner, I am a little embarrassed that I have not made an effort to learn more about the operations and finance of state and local government. As a business owner, I am also embarrassed I have not made an effort to monitor the behavior and performance of those we elect to represent the interests of our community at the state and local levels.

It is very sobering to realize we put the future of our community, and the future of our children in the hands of another human when we vote for them to represent our interests. We trust them to vote to protect the people of our area, the way we earn our living and our very way of life. It is an amazing burden, if one takes the responsibility as seriously as intended.

There are so many of us in Lenoir County who love “small town living.” We show each other respect and kindness. We come together when the need exists, and we are not afraid of hard work to make things better. I believe it is time for us to come together to ensure the children of Lenoir County have a better path to the future. If we want what is best for them, we can’t continue to ignore facts and we must take action for improvement.

I don’t have to be an expert to realize that rural areas are dying, and big cities are exploding with growth. In contrast, I walk on our high school campus and I look at aging buildings we can’t afford to properly repair, much less replace. It is our local responsibility to build schools and we can’t afford to do so.

Our tax base is shrinking, and our property tax rate is already one of the highest in the state. Additionally, we need help from the General Assembly to attract additional industries to our area. We need the tax base offered by new facilities, and we certainly need the jobs/wages for our local economy.

Chris Humphrey is the person who can help us improve the future of Lenoir County. I have known Chris for many years. We have had extensive conversations on these topics, and I know Chris will focus on these issues when he is elected. We must have a state representative who understands the urgency of our needs, and realizes you can’t go on cruise control once you take office. You must press for change, you must press for the future of our children and you must be willing to work to produce tangible results.  

I am now paying attention to the behavior and performance of my local and state officials. We must hold them accountable. The people of Lenoir County need different results, and it is time for change at both levels. I ask that you join me in voting for Chris Humphrey as the N.C. State House Representative for District 12.

Don’t wait – vote today, and take a friend!

Gary Alphin
Kinston