Commissioners Debate

Elders, Cody, Debnam; three of the sitting county commissioners

Last night's debate at SCCs Burrell building was an interesting mix of individual styles.
The candidates, both incumbents and challengers were often closer on the issues than you might expect. I'll get back to this later.

Boyce Deitz, Democratic candidate for district two commissioner

 Probably the best individual performance from an emotional appeal standpoint was Boyce Deitz.  Deitz has many years of experience of communicating, facilitating, and inspiring young men to perform excellently on the gridiron. Deitz also has political experience from working as a local aide for Heath Shuler. Deitz is a self-professed conservative.

Joe Ward, Democratic candidate for district one commissioner

Joe Ward, a farmer over in Wilmont, is a Democratic stalwart of many years, yet a newcomer to running for office. He farms and raises cattle. Ward is also a self-professed conservative.

Brian McMahan, works as private policeman for the Balsam Mountain Preserve. He has been commission chair before (2006 - 2010). He would give anything to be commission chair again and it shows as in the four years since he was turned out by the voters he has practiced his delivery. He is also being groomed by the Democratic party to run in the future for congress.

Charles Elders, district one commissioner

Charles Elders  was on the commission a number of years ago here in Jackson County. Because of voter anger Elders was convinced to run again for another term of district one commissioner. He owns at least two businesses in Jackson County.  He leans compassionate conservative in his political philosophy.

Doug Cody, district two commissioner and commission vice chairman

Doug Cody is a political newcomer (first term on the commission). He is the intellectual on the commission (knows his facts and figures) and cares what happens to the average voter. Unfortunately his personal style doesn't show it until you get to know him.

Jack Debnam, chairman county commissioners

Jack Debnam moved to WNC over 25 years ago from the Piedmont of North Carolina. He is unaffiliated with either the Democrats or Republicans. He reminded people last night that he had voted with both Republicans and Democrats on the commssion "95% of the time." One-on-one he is an excellent communicator, while before a crowd not so much. Although Debnam's rhetoric (smoothness and persuasiveness) can sometimes surprise you.

As I mentioned earlier, the incumbents and the challengers (with one exception) are actually much closer in their core beliefs then you would expect. The short answer is that both Deitz and Ward, both self-professed conservatives, are old-time Democrats. Their political leanings go back to the 19th century. The Democratic party as we know it in 2014 left them behind and out in the cold a long time ago. Brian McMahan is of a different stripe. He is a political opportunist. He will do and say anything for power. He is not to be trusted.
The three incumbents, Elders, Cody, and Debnam are all conservative to one degree or another. I doubt that they have aspirations for higher office. They can be trusted, but like any political office holders it pays to remind them from time-to-time of who they serve and why keeping them "honest, open, accountable, and constitutional."
All this of course is only my  qualified opinion having been a political observer for a number of years of national, state, and local politics.