Former Henderson Mayor Chick Young, the Master of Ceremonies for the “Candidates for a New Direction” Kickoff
On September 8, 2007, the “Candidates for a New Direction” held a kickoff event at the Ambassador Inn in Henderson.
The event was advertised primarily through the distribution of flyers and featured appearance by George Daye (Ward 4 At Large), Mike Inscoe (Ward 2 At Large), Brenda Peace (Ward 3 At Large), and Mike Rainey (Ward 2 Ward Seat).
Between 50 and 60 people attended the event, including the candidates.
After a social hour, former Henderson Mayor Chick Young began the event, telling the audience that he was acting as the MC.
After noting that he had been mayor of Henderson for 24 years, Young said that he felt that changes and good things had been done for Henderson citizens. He said that he was not happy and that citizens were not happy with the direction of the city over the last few years.
Young said that there are “worthy candidates” and asked for the support of the audience.
“They’re builders, not tearer-downers,” Young said.
The former mayor said that there are “valuable programs” that are in danger because of unnecessary cuts. He said that some are life-or-death programs, like 911.
Ward 4 At Large candidate George Daye was the first candidate to speak. He told the audience that he is a 64 year resident of Vance County and that Vance County is home [for him].
Ward 4 At Large candidate George Daye
“We can be a number one county and citizen of North Carolina,” Daye said.
Daye stressed the need for residents to “pull together” and “work together”. He said that there is a need to “support people who support unity”.
The candidate said that one of his goals after retiring in 1999 was to get into politics. He said that he believes that the fight is worth the while. He also said that he would like to see his sons come back to Vance County to work.
Young again took the stage, telling the audience that it is important to work together. He said that for much of his tenure as mayor he had a council that worked together.
Young said that we don’t have that now.
Ward 2 At Large candidate Mike Inscoe began his speech by saying that he was proud of Young’s tenure. He said that Young had led [the city] through “difficult and admirable” times.
Ward 2 At Large Candidate Mike Inscoe
Inscoe stated that communication is essential with the county, state, and federal government.
The candidate acknowledged that Henderson has “gone through some difficult times” in the last four years. He said that thousands of jobs were lost.
“I was one of the persons displaced,” Inscoe said.
He asked the audience if they were better off than they were two years ago and concluded that they were not.
Inscoe told the crowd that [the city] must “partner” to get outside funds.
“We cannot save our was into prosperity,” Inscoe said.
The candidate cited a need to have money flowing into Henderson. He said that the “economic climate is so low” that it’s everybody’s job to do economic development.
Inscoe ended his presentation by stating a need for a new direction.
After being introduced by Young, Ward 3 At Large candidate Brenda Peace first thanked God for the opportunity.
“I care for each and every person,” Peace said. “What do I know about politics? Nothing. I know about people.”
Ward 3 At Large Candidate Brenda Peace
Peace and members of her congregation then sang a song entitled “I’m Heading in a New Direction”, followed by the chorus to John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance”.
The medley ended with the tag line “We don’t want to vote that same old way.”
The medley may be heard here.
Former Henderson City Council member and Ward 2 Ward Seat candidate Mike Rainey was the next to speak. He told the audience that there was an opportunity to make a change on October 9.
He asked the audience to give “us” a chance to change things that need to be changed.
Mike Rainey, candidate for the Ward 2 Ward Seat
Rainey said that Henderson can prosper in its location and that the city can prosper if “we head in the right direction together”.
“‘A house divided cannot stand,'” Rainey quoted, attributing the maxim to Abraham Lincoln.
Rainey said that “good and bad points” had been put out by the current city council.
“In my opinion, we can do better,” Rainey said.
He ended his speech by asking the audience to go out and vote.
Although current Henderson City Council member Lonnie Davis was not billed in the flyer, he was asked to speak to the audience.
(Council member Bobby Gupton (Ward 2 Ward Seat) and candidate Sara Coffey (Ward 1 At Large) were also present, but were not invited to speak during the event.)
Davis said that he was pleased to have worked on past councils. He said that there are great things that have been done.
Henderson City Council member Lonnie Davis
The council member said that “we play down the good stuff” and that “some people” try to have the loudest voice.
Davis stated a need to “work together”. He called for a better spirit of cooperation.
Henderson City Council member Garry Daeke, also not mentioned in the flyer, was then invited to make remarks.
Daeke gave the audience a cursory review of his voting record, reminded those present that his first “no” vote was to keep former Henderson City Manager Eric Williams.
Henderson City Council member Garry Daeke
Williams is now the County Manager of Yadkin County.
Daeke said that his second “no” vote was to retain the services of The Ferguson Group.
The Ferguson Group handled lobbying for Henderson in Washington, D.C. until the current Henderson City Council voted to no longer pay for their services.
The current Ward 3 Ward Seat holder also reminded the audience that he voted to allow police officers to keep their take-home automobiles.
Daeke stressed that he “does not take sides”, but rather “concentrates on the issues”.
After Daeke spoke, Young excused the absence of council members Mary Emma Evans and Bernard Alston.
Young said that Evans was conducting a wedding and could not be present. He did not state a reason for Alston’s absence, but said that Alston is a “candidate who wants unity”.
Mayoral candidate Pete O’Geary was then invited to speak.
O’Geary noted his six terms on the city council and commended all who were running for office.
The candidate stated a belief that “good things are coming”.
Candidate for mayor of Henderson Pete O’Geary
O’Geary said he would represent the city in a “positive and honorable way”.
The mayoral candidate stated a need to be sensitive to the needs of people.
“We must have a vision,” O’Geary said. He said that his vision was to clean up litter, educate people, and to make the city more beautiful, as well as clearing the streets of crime and drugs.
“We can do it by coming together as a team,” O’Geary stated.
Young ended the presentation part of the event by saying that the most important people in the room are people who know we need a change.
“We cannot continue to spiral downward,” Young said.