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Editor’s Note: For coverage of the election, The Stanly News & Press sent questions to each group of candidates. We limited their responses to 200 words per answer. Answers appear as is, with the exception of editing for grammatical/spelling errors or length. This allows potential voters to see the candidates through their own words and gives equal opportunity for the candidates to respond. We gave candidates two weeks to email their answers back.
In the At-Large race for county commissioner, Scott Efird and Melvin Poole responded, with Poole providing no photo. Billy Mills, who defeated incumbent Peter Asciutto in the primary, has no opposition in the fall. He chose to provide answers. Meghan Almond, another at-large candidate, also has no opposition this fall.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Terry Scott Efird: Born in Albemarle, NC, July 8, 1961 and lifetime resident of Locust, NC. Graduate of Locust Elementary and West Stanly High School-Class of 1979.
Military Service – NC Air National Guard 263rd CCS, Badin, NC 1983-1989-Rank of Staff Sergeant and Honorable Discharge in 1989.
Employed by City of Locust – Planning Director
Married to Tracy Furr Efird – Aug. 4, 1979.
Children – Kerri Dawn Efird, deceased Feb. 21, 1999
Parents – James and Carolyn Efird
Siblings – Jackie Efird, Jimmy Efird, Rusty Efird.
Member of Philadelphia Baptist Church, Stanfield – Active Deacon/Cemetery Committee/Assistant Sunday School Superintendent
Board of Directors -West Stanly Fire Department – 1989-2013
Locust Planning & Zoning & Board of Adjustments-1990-2009 – Chairman – 2003-2009
Mayor of Locust – 2009-2012
Stanly County Commissioner-2014-2018 and 2020-to Present
Youth Baseball Coach – Locust/Running Creek Elementary – 1999-2009
Board of Directors – Tillery Compassionate Care of the Uwharries – 2000 to present
Co-Founder – Kerri D. Efird Memorial Scholarship – in memory of daughter, Kerri
Hobbies – antique cars/camping/riding motorcycles

Melvin Poole: I am a retired Army Officer with service in Vietnam and Iraq. I graduated from Emmanuel College and UNC-Charlotte. Service to Stanly County has included service on the School Board, the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees and currently service on the Red Cross Town Council.
I have been oriented toward public service since watching a Presidential Inauguration at the age of 10.
I am married to Kaye Poole, who has faithfully soldiered alongside through all my years of service. I have been a member of the VFW for several years and attend church on a regular basis. Fishing is something I love to do but have little time for. Gardening has become a hobby for the last several years.

Billy Mills: As a youngster I helped my grandfather cultivate and plow the fields of a small rural farm in northern Stanly County. I have lived in Stanly County since birth and graduated from Albemarle Senior High School.
Immediately following my graduation I worked 2nd shift in the local textile mill; Collins and Aikman.
During that same period I trudged as a first shift laborer on my grandfather’s rural hog farm.
My college education required several years of work before attending Appalachian State University.
During that time, I worked as a land surveyors apprentice with Thomas W. Harris and Associates.
In 1982, I earned my Bachelor’s of Science degree, with the major in Parks and Recreation Management from Appalachian State University.
Returning to ASU in 1983, I successfully completed my Teacher Certification in Industrial Arts-Technology Education.
In 2000, I completed my National Teacher’s Certification for Manufacturing and Engineering.
During the past 38 years I have served as a public classroom teacher, coach, and mentor in Stanly, Cabarrus, and Rowan counties.
In 2016 I enrolled at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.
Following my initial enrollment, I served as the interim pastor for Richfield Baptist Church.

2. Why did you decide to seek office?

Efird: I am running for reelection to the office of Stanly County Commissioner because I have a genuine concern and care about the future and direction that Stanly County will be going forward in the next four years. I am a lifelong resident of Stanly, born and raised, and I am passionate about making this the best County in North Carolina. I know the history and the past struggles of our County. I think that we have a diamond in the rough within Stanly County and I think that we can move forward to make this one of the best places to live and to work.

Poole: I ran for the Board of Commissioners at a much younger age and fell short by about 87 votes. My interest has not waned in county government merely delayed by things that can make me a better member of that board. My entrance in this race gives the voters yet another choice in November they would not have had otherwise.

Mills: Our fight to earning the Republican nomination for Stanly County Commissioner was accomplished as the result of extremely arduous work, perseverance, and the devotion to defend true conservative values for the extremely hard-working residents of our county. Not only did we labor vigorously, but we gave our all to earn the respect and trust of all Stanly County residents.
When budgeting Stanly County’s taxpayer dollars, we wanted to unequivocally insure that there is no frivolous or wasteful spending — making sure that ALL tax revenue allocations are absolutely necessary and conservatively utilized.  I believe we should continue to publish a user-friendly report and maintain itemized proof, so that each Stanly County taxpayer can categorically understand how each tax dollar is spent.  One other responsibility for all elected commissioners is to unite and work diligently to wipe out the over-reaching governmental practices. This includes the federal and state liberal special-interest groups and organizations who continuously waste Stanly County’s hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Example: e.g. “Perhaps we should look at forgiving the medical dept for cancer patients, instead of debt for student college loans.”
Needless to say, we need less government involvement in all areas of Stanly County!

3. Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this position?

Efird: I am the best because of my vested interest in Stanly. I was born and raised here & feel that because of my experience as former Locust mayor, current Locust planner and commissioner I am the best candidate.
This election is about common sense and experience and I have both qualities.
I am proud to have supported the following the last 4 years:
a. Hired 6 School Resources Officers to increase security at every public school.
b. Started & finished construction on livestock arena & exhibit hall to enhance agricultural learning for students & facilitate agri-tourism revenue.
d. Constructed lot to enhance customer parking at the courthouse.
e. Increased Stanly County Schools operating funding by over $1M for the 3rd year and gave $3.7M to complete classrooms at Endy.
f. Increased funding for fire department staffing by $170,000 to enhance response times and authorized grants for radio replacement and required upgrades.
g. Began replacement of the 25-year-old+ 911, Computer-Aided Dispatch System to enhance public response times and improve first responder safety.
h. Partnered with Locust to construct a Senior Center.
i. Adopted a 2040 land use plan to help control growth and the cost of services.
All of these were accomplished without tax increases.

Poole: My opponent currently is a planning and zoning officer for a municipality within the county. That on its face would seem to be a conflict of interest as the Board of Commissioners often have to act on zoning issues within the county. I have been involved as previously noted in several positions of service that give me a broad view on issues I would face as a commissioner without a question of conflicts arising.
That said I fully respect my opponent and I am not insinuating anything about his character.

Mills: Stanly County Commissioners should serve the residents who they represent and perform according to the will of their constituents who placed them in office. A Commissioner should never undermine the decisions of our local municipalities. I will join hands with like-minded representatives in our county and State. I will work meticulously to prevent tax increase, wasteful spending, and radical liberal atrophy associated with a socialist political terrain — specifically; prejudice, partiality and corporate special interests.
We can do better by uniting our local communities and conservative leadership, working together as a united team. We can no longer divide and alienate the true conservative groundbreakers, which hold the unmitigated key to recruiting new industry and higher paying manufacturing jobs/opportunities in Stanly County.
I unconditionally believe that we must maintain up-to-date schools, first class education, and this undeniably begins with focusing on our present-day Stanly County Classroom Teachers and the educational needs of our children. The leaders in education understand my passion and seriousness. School officials know that I will fight for our children, their families, and the classroom teachers. We must not allow Stanly County Schools to be a handicap for recruiting new businesses and new industry.

4. Do you prefer more or less residential and commercial growth in the county and why?

Efird: I think that there must be a balance between residential and commercial growth. I believe that it can be managed for both residential and commercial. I believe that the growth for Stanly County should be concentrated in or around the municipalities. I think that people that move out within the County are doing this to get away from the Cities and towns for a different quality/type of lifestyle.
I voted for the current land use plan that ensures that type of quality of life in the rural areas of the County. I believe that growth in Stanly should be encouraged but it needs to be good sustainable growth; growth that pays its own way in infrastructure needs for that development — not to burden the current taxpayers. I voted for higher system development fees to help alleviate this problem.

Poole: Regardless of what I prefer growth will continue to take place. I would invite you to ride down Elm Street in Locust. The rural setting of a few years ago has disappeared. Oakboro is nothing like it was when I rnoved into this area. As someone that grew up in a rural setting I love open spaces and it is concerning to me that North Carolina is losing agricultural land at one of the fastest rates of any state in the nation.
The conflict on this issue often revolves around personal property rights versus what is perceived as best for the community as a whole. I understand both sides of the issue. Some commercial growth is needed to provide jobs and help shoulder the tax burdens placed on taxpayers.
One thing that impacts all growth is infrastructure roads, water, sewer, schools, etc. I am concerned that growth in all areas is running ahead of infrastructure. Lifelong residents without decent water continue to get pushed aside as we struggle to support new growth. One area of growth I am absolutely against is the growth of more solar farms that will be around for our children and grandchildren to clean up.

Mills: If we develop according to the current Stanly County Land Use Plan, we must unconditionally develop and construct sustainable housing.
We should construct durable/quality-built homes, engineered by our own local dedicated contractors, who are conscientious and sensitive to the values and needs of Stanly County residents.  We must undeniably advocate and promote our local builders, contractors, and sub-contractors.
Superficial land developers and “here today, gone tomorrow” real estate investors, as a whole, are not sincerely concerned with Stanly County’s overall future.  Such firms are NOT interested in the overall quality of life for Stanly County families, schools, or the overall local economy.  Out of county land developers and avaricious profiteers should be required to pay for flood control, road construction, and related infrastructure projects to mitigate conditions created by their development…NOT Stanly County Taxpayers!
Recruiting and establishing new industry, similar to Charlotte Pipe will bring high income employment, create higher paying careers, while lowering overall property taxes for all Stanly County Residents. This type of land use management will unconditionally encourage the funding and budgeting for educational facilities…
Instead of raising property taxes on Stanly County’s individual families who are already struggling.

5. What do you think are the biggest issues impacting residents?

Efird: The most important challenges are Education and Safety.
We need to work with the School Board and Superintendent to make sure they have the funds, while holding that Board accountable for spending & allocating of these funds. We set up a Committee between the School Board and Commissioners to better improve communications and share thoughts for the betterment of schools.
We have some of the best teachers and staff in North Carolina. We need to make sure they have the resources to do their job.
We need to work with the Sheriff’s Office to determine solutions for overcrowding of the jail and to keep deputies on the road to protect our citizens. I have a good working relationship with Sheriff Crisco and respect and appreciate the job he does along with the Deputies and support staff.
Running a County should be like running a household. We need to be sure we are getting the most for our money. We should look at all services & expenses to fine tune for improvements while being as conservative as we can be.
I would appreciate your vote during early voting and the November Election.
God Bless each citizen of Stanly County.

Poole: Aside from growth the funding issue for county government will be a constant issue as property values will continue to rise placing a bigger burden especially on senior citizens. To do my small part I have committed to return any stipend received from the county for my service as a commissioner back to the county or charitable causes. We need to make government affordable again.

Mills: I have traveled throughout Stanly County, meeting and listening to; teachers, small business owners, military veterans, farmers, teacher assistants, medical-emergency personnel, fire fighters, law enforcement, wildlife/forestry officers, various city officials, retirees, and manufacture-workers in our community.
All spoke of immense challenges that today’s families are encountering, e.g. buying groceries, purchasing a new home, filling up with gas and quality education for their children. As a public classroom teacher-coach and parent I have wrestled with these issues, especially during the previous four years.
At some point we need to quit asking who needs to pay taxes and start asking where is the money being spent.
The current overall national governmental policies and political agendas are NOT working for the common families of Stanly County. U.S. borders should not be left wide open.
I am proud that I am the son of a WWII Veteran who served in the Philippine Islands, 1945. I understand the sacrifices American families made for our God-fearing country. My family experienced first-hand the blood sacrifice necessary to secure our country from aggressors, and also to preserve the moral fabric of which this nation was built: “One Nation Under God.”