Brunswick towns in good hands

The Sun News editorial board issues its recommendations in southern Brunswick County, N.C., races:

CAROLINA SHORES | The towns of southern Brunswick County are blessed this year with an abundance of strong, well-intentioned candidates for office. Very few struck us as unready to serve, and many candidates brought either a wealth of experience in their current offices or incredible personal career paths, so we feel confident that Brunswick County towns will maintain their charm regardless of who wins this year's elections.

Incumbent commissioner Gere Dale called the 11-year-old town's political situation a battle between "two armed camps" over Mayor Stephen Selby's leadership and, more specifically, this year's election. Without delving too deeply into the turmoil over the mayor, we still feel confident recommending voters return Dale to office and join him with Joyce Dunn. A political leader with Dale's demonstrated record of accomplishments and extensive knowledge of the town should not be discarded lightly. Meanwhile, Dunn evinces an astonishing understanding of town government coupled with a remarkable commitment to governmental transparency that would equip her as a fine candidate even in much larger cities.

Dunn's "running mate" of sorts (as the other candidate endorsed by the mayor), Walter Goodenough, also demonstrates a commendable passion for Carolina Shores town government, and is certainly qualified for office as well. Dunn and Goodenough both complain about a lack of transparency and openness in the current town government - complaints that the other commissioners would do well to heed, and we hope Dunn's voice on the council will be loud enough to make significant changes happen.

It's worth noting, however, that beyond their immediate political differences, all three candidates agree on a number of substantive issues facing the town. Dunn and Goodenough readily defer to Dale's knowledge on those issues, which suggests yet again that the town still stands to profit from Dale's continued service once the current political storms blow over. Goodenough promises to remain actively involved in the town even if he loses this election, and given his obvious passion for the issues, we take him at his word. If the town's transparency issues are not cleared up, we would feel confident recommending him in the next election.

HOLDEN BEACH | In sharp contrast to the political trauma in Carolina Shores, it is difficult to find an issue on which the six candidates for Holden Beach Town Commission (or their uncontested mayor, Alan Holden) disagree. The four incumbents and two candidates for the one open commission seat all speak warmly of one another and of the current commission's working relationship. We see no reason for any of the knowledgeable and committed incumbents (Don Glander, Ken Kyser, Ray Lehr or Sandy Miller) to be replaced, leaving what we suspect will be for most voters a very difficult choice between two qualified, engaged and almost evenly matched candidates, Sheila Young and Peggy Schiavone. Both have served on the town's planning and zoning committee, the beautification club and several other boards.

In interviews with The Sun News editorial board, however, Young showed slightly more creativity in some of her ideas for the town, suggesting for example that the town begin its own municipal recycling program.

With both Young and Schiavone espousing such similar views on the issues as well as similar governance philosophies, we feel the town will be in excellent hands no matter who wins.

SHALLOTTE | At a recent candidate forum, the four candidates who attended each spent their closing comments complimenting all the other candidates in the race - a sign of the kind of unity one hopes for in a well-run small town. Again, no matter who wins, we feel that high quality of governing is likely to continue.

For the open mayor's seat sought by aldermen Buddy Kelly and John Kinlaw, both men clearly have the experience and character necessary for the job. In our estimation, Kinlaw seems likely to be a slightly more aggressive advocate for the town, describing the town's challenges with slightly more specificity and energy. Kelly, however, also sounds capable of keeping the town on the correct path.

For the Town Council, incumbent Larry Harrelson is a clear choice to return to office. His deep attachment to the town is matched only by his vigor in describing its future, and he simply has the demeanor of a statesman.

Of the two challengers vying to join him, Jimmy Bellamy seems a sound choice, earnest and supportive of the town's current direction. Michael Pease is running a lower-profile campaign, and we did not get a chance to meet him, though his opponents speak highly of him as well.

SUNSET BEACH | Voters in Sunset Beach are faced with a fascinatingly diverse slate of candidates for both their mayor's race and the Town Council. The mayor's race, for example, features two extremely well-credentialed men: incumbent Mayor Ron Klein, a former FBI counterintelligence chief, and his challenger, Rich Cerrato, a retired human-resources director at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both in their personal careers have already demonstrated a clear ability to lead organizations of far larger scale than 3,000-resident Sunset Beach.

In total, we believe Klein demonstrates the thoughtful demeanor, open mind and overall leadership abilities that will ensure him continued success as the town's mayor. We wish Cerrato had chosen to run for Town Council instead of challenging Klein for mayor, as his obvious intelligence and strong opinions would have made him an excellent addition to the board. But in a town where the mayor has no vote, and instead is entrusted solely with the responsibility of managing the process of governing, the job seems better suited to Klein's less confrontational approach.

The Town Council race seemingly poses a similar problem of too many able candidates. Two incumbents, Lou DeVita and Len Steiner, face three challengers for the three seats open in this election. Among the challengers, Carol Scott - a retired assistant counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission - was a clear standout. In addition to her remarkable personal career, Scott has already contributed prominently to the political process in southern Brunswick County since her retirement there, organizing an ultimately unsuccessful yet productive request for longer sewer financing and well as successfully campaigning for more opportunities for the public to have input in the town governance. Another challenger, Ed Apalinski, has an almost single-minded devotion to more openness in town government that we find admirable - he is the only candidate, for example, who wholeheartedly shares our strong support for a reform that many S.C. governments are now embarking upon: putting their full monthly check registers online (the other candidates either told us they would support it only for major expenses or that they would have to study the issue further).

Steiner, an incumbent, is an ardent, able and articulate defender of the decisions that Sunset Beach has thus far undertaken. Though his challengers present strong arguments and some criticism of the council, Steiner's responses made sense, and we believe his service to the town should continue. His and Klein's experience combined with the fresh ideas Scott and Apalinski offer are likely to lead to solutions to the tough growth decisions the town faces.

The third challenger, Karen Joseph, also presents a qualified candidacy. Though she has less experience than Steiner or Klein and her ideas did not come across as boldly as Scott's and Apalinski's, some voters will inevitably be drawn to her warm personality, her intelligence and professional qualifications, and if she wins will also be a capable addition to the council. DeVita, the other incumbent, did not interview with The Sun News editorial board.

CALABASH | The town of Calabash is in the middle of a spirited contest as incumbents Emily Distasio, Cecilia Herman and Bill Dixon defend their seats against challenges from former commissioner Jody Nance and write-in candidate Mary Knight (another challenger, Simon Allen, dropped out late in the race due to illness in the family).

One central issue is sure to be the incumbents' culpability in hiring disgraced town administrator Jeremy Cribb, amid the perennial growing pains.

None of the candidates chose to interview with The Sun News' editorial board, so we cannot make recommendations in this race.

Do your part

Why are we telling you how to vote? We're not. Civics is hard work, and we hope that the opinions of The Sun News editorial board will be only one of many sources you consult as you decide. Perhaps we've brought up ideas you hadn't thought of, or perhaps we've praised the very things you like least about these candidates. In the end, we're sharing our ideas as just one more perspective to consider as you head to the polls Tuesday.

Incumbent commissioner Gere Dale called the 11-year-old town's political situation a battle between "two armed camps" over Mayor Stephen Selby's leadership and, more specifically, this year's election. Without delving too deeply into the turmoil over the mayor, we still feel confident recommending voters return Dale to office and join him with Joyce Dunn. A political leader with Dale's demonstrated record of accomplishments and extensive knowledge of the town should not be discarded lightly. Meanwhile, Dunn evinces an astonishing understanding of town government coupled with a remarkable commitment to governmental transparency that would equip her as a fine candidate even in much larger cities.

Dunn's "running mate" of sorts (as the other candidate endorsed by the mayor), Walter Goodenough, also demonstrates a commendable passion for Carolina Shores town government, and is certainly qualified for office as well. Dunn and Goodenough both complain about a lack of transparency and openness in the current town government - complaints that the other commissioners would do well to heed, and we hope Dunn's voice on the council will be loud enough to make significant changes happen.

It's worth noting, however, that beyond their immediate political differences, all three candidates agree on a number of substantive issues facing the town. Dunn and Goodenough readily defer to Dale's knowledge on those issues, which suggests yet again that the town still stands to profit from Dale's continued service once the current political storms blow over. Goodenough promises to remain actively involved in the town even if he loses this election, and given his obvious passion for the issues, we take him at his word. If the town's transparency issues are not cleared up, we would feel confident recommending him in the next election.

HOLDEN BEACH | In sharp contrast to the political trauma in Carolina Shores, it is difficult to find an issue on which the six candidates for Holden Beach Town Commission (or their uncontested mayor, Alan Holden) disagree. The four incumbents and two candidates for the one open commission seat all speak warmly of one another and of the current commission's working relationship. We see no reason for any of the knowledgeable and committed incumbents (Don Glander, Ken Kyser, Ray Lehr or Sandy Miller) to be replaced, leaving what we suspect will be for most voters a very difficult choice between two qualified, engaged and almost evenly matched candidates, Sheila Young and Peggy Schiavone. Both have served on the town's planning and zoning committee, the beautification club and several other boards.

In interviews with The Sun News editorial board, however, Young showed slightly more creativity in some of her ideas for the town, suggesting for example that the town begin its own municipal recycling program.

With both Young and Schiavone espousing such similar views on the issues as well as similar governance philosophies, we feel the town will be in excellent hands no matter who wins.

SHALLOTTE | At a recent candidate forum, the four candidates who attended each spent their closing comments complimenting all the other candidates in the race - a sign of the kind of unity one hopes for in a well-run small town. Again, no matter who wins, we feel that high quality of governing is likely to continue.

For the open mayor's seat sought by aldermen Buddy Kelly and John Kinlaw, both men clearly have the experience and character necessary for the job. In our estimation, Kinlaw seems likely to be a slightly more aggressive advocate for the town, describing the town's challenges with slightly more specificity and energy. Kelly, however, also sounds capable of keeping the town on the correct path.

For the Town Council, incumbent Larry Harrelson is a clear choice to return to office. His deep attachment to the town is matched only by his vigor in describing its future, and he simply has the demeanor of a statesman.

Of the two challengers vying to join him, Jimmy Bellamy seems a sound choice, earnest and supportive of the town's current direction. Michael Pease is running a lower-profile campaign, and we did not get a chance to meet him, though his opponents speak highly of him as well.

SUNSET BEACH | Voters in Sunset Beach are faced with a fascinatingly diverse slate of candidates for both their mayor's race and the Town Council. The mayor's race, for example, features two extremely well-credentialed men: incumbent Mayor Ron Klein, a former FBI counterintelligence chief, and his challenger, Rich Cerrato, a retired human-resources director at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both in their personal careers have already demonstrated a clear ability to lead organizations of far larger scale than 3,000-resident Sunset Beach.

In total, we believe Klein demonstrates the thoughtful demeanor, open mind and overall leadership abilities that will ensure him continued success as the town's mayor. We wish Cerrato had chosen to run for Town Council instead of challenging Klein for mayor, as his obvious intelligence and strong opinions would have made him an excellent addition to the board. But in a town where the mayor has no vote, and instead is entrusted solely with the responsibility of managing the process of governing, the job seems better suited to Klein's less confrontational approach.

The Town Council race seemingly poses a similar problem of too many able candidates. Two incumbents, Lou DeVita and Len Steiner, face three challengers for the three seats open in this election. Among the challengers, Carol Scott - a retired assistant counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission - was a clear standout. In addition to her remarkable personal career, Scott has already contributed prominently to the political process in southern Brunswick County since her retirement there, organizing an ultimately unsuccessful yet productive request for longer sewer financing and well as successfully campaigning for more opportunities for the public to have input in the town governance. Another challenger, Ed Apalinski, has an almost single-minded devotion to more openness in town government that we find admirable - he is the only candidate, for example, who wholeheartedly shares our strong support for a reform that many S.C. governments are now embarking upon: putting their full monthly check registers online (the other candidates either told us they would support it only for major expenses or that they would have to study the issue further).

Steiner, an incumbent, is an ardent, able and articulate defender of the decisions that Sunset Beach has thus far undertaken. Though his challengers present strong arguments and some criticism of the council, Steiner's responses made sense, and we believe his service to the town should continue. His and Klein's experience combined with the fresh ideas Scott and Apalinski offer are likely to lead to solutions to the tough growth decisions the town faces.

The third challenger, Karen Joseph, also presents a qualified candidacy. Though she has less experience than Steiner or Klein and her ideas did not come across as boldly as Scott's and Apalinski's, some voters will inevitably be drawn to her warm personality, her intelligence and professional qualifications, and if she wins will also be a capable addition to the council. DeVita, the other incumbent, did not interview with The Sun News editorial board.

CALABASH | The town of Calabash is in the middle of a spirited contest as incumbents Emily Distasio, Cecilia Herman and Bill Dixon defend their seats against challenges from former commissioner Jody Nance and write-in candidate Mary Knight (another challenger, Simon Allen, dropped out late in the race due to illness in the family).

One central issue is sure to be the incumbents' culpability in hiring disgraced town administrator Jeremy Cribb, amid the perennial growing pains.

None of the candidates chose to interview with The Sun News' editorial board, so we cannot make recommendations in this race.

Do your part

Why are we telling you how to vote? We're not. Civics is hard work, and we hope that the opinions of The Sun News editorial board will be only one of many sources you consult as you decide. Perhaps we've brought up ideas you hadn't thought of, or perhaps we've praised the very things you like least about these candidates. In the end, we're sharing our ideas as just one more perspective to consider as you head to the polls Tuesday.