Government of the people, for the people, by the people. Statement From Lent Carr, for Commissioner

Updated: May 13, 2021

“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people”. -Abraham Lincoln-

My name is Lent Carr, and I'm running for Hoke County Board of Commissioner

because I believe what we need in this pivotal time in our County's history is action NOW! We need to take action to create high‐quality job opportunities that will allow our children to raise the next generations here with an abundance of economic security. We need to take action to improve both our natural and designed environments by cleaning up the toxic messes left by our predecessors and then building a new economic base that coexists with our magnificent natural environment.

We need to take action to expand our sales tax base through prosperity. It is through an expanded sales tax base that the County will be able to provide the essential public safety services of police and fire protection at the levels that keep us safe.

The path that we are currently on has not led us to where we want to go. Our local businesses are closing and families are moving away because too many living wage jobs have disappeared. With every one of those families that moves away, there is a detrimental impact to the County's sales tax revenue base, resulting in the Board of Commissioner’s shrinking ability to provide important services, such as public safety that's already cost our County's Sheriff's Office to lose 15 known Deputy Officers as a result of the current Board's lack of long term insight and wasteful spending on pet projects that could have waited, i.e., the Millions of Taxpayers Dollars that will go into not only paying for a swimming pool that will not spur job growth, but also place our County in unnecessary debt by having to borrow at minimum TWENTY-FIVE-MILLION DOLLARS in which future generations will bear the brunt of cost. For what purpose? But for self-serving reasons for name sake. This is absolutely ludicrous when we have Homeless Families with nowhere to lay their heads at night, except under the makeshift dome of trees in the woods, tents and elsewhere.This after this same Board shut down shelter amenities for displaced families, homeless veterans and the like.

Hoke County needs a new approach. We begin on the premise that our county government exists to serve the public, not the other way around. Our interface with county government needs to be simplified, and geared toward treating citizens like good customers. Under my leadership, the county will greet appropriate new businesses that provide living wage jobs with welcoming and open arms, and treat existing businesses with appreciation for the contributions that they make to our local economy.

There is no question that our economic landscape has changed since Covid-19's invasion. The industries that built this fine county we call home no longer provide the jobs that they once did. As we look toward the future we need to consider new possibilities, and those possibilities do abound if we can build consensus and seize the opportunities. Some of these new opportunities include the development of our newly proposed Mini-Mall, an Apple Company Satellite Industry as branching off of its newly agreed headquarter facility that will be based in Raleigh, NC, wave generation of electricity, niche manufacturing, and the development of our green jobs' initiatives into the bustling jewel of the East Coast. That's for starters.

I’ve studied many of the key issues facing Hoke County. My decisions have been based on a careful analysis and research of all sides to find common ground. I will bring the same thoughtful process to The Board of County Commissioners. Many believe Hoke County has divided into two political camps. "The Old Political Guard" stalemate outdated and antiquated camp and "The Future Political Guard" visionary and Progressive Innovation camp. Of course such division has come about because as the younger generation believes; the old political guard leaders have left them behind and unprepared to adequately take over the reigns of Hoke County's politics. I hope to be a bridge bringing both sides together for the good of our community. This includes Democrats, Republicans, Independents and other political persuasions. We must understand that we, Hoke County, are One People. We seek the common goal of a better and inclusive Hoke County Governance. For We are Hoke Countians! During this critical time we ALL must Unite and save our County. My goal is to encourage common sense governance, collective bargaining, consensus building and calm decision-making.

If you share my vision of a new and improved Hoke County where families can flourish and your County Commissioner's Board works for the people, then please consider casting your vote for Lent Carr for Hoke County Commissioner.