Tuesday will give residents of Graham County’s three municipalities the opportunity to make their voices heard.
While the towns of Fontana Dam and Lake Santeetlah have no contested races – both municipalities’ council-incumbents are running for re-election, with no outside challengers – both the mayoral and aldermen races in Robbinsville are up for grabs.
The Graham Star emailed each candidate a list of questions to answer, in an effort to provide transparency on what each will bring to the table. What follows is their responses.
Voting closes at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and results will be announced in the Nov. 4 edition of The Graham Star.
Mayoral Race
Shaun Adams
I am a lifelong resident of Robbinsville, earned my Bachelor of Science at Western Carolina University, and also worked toward a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting at Western Carolina University. I have been a Town of Robbinsville Alderman since 2017.
I will work to cut wasteful spending; unfortunately, the town wastes a large amount of money and the people suffer because of it. I have devoted hundreds of hours researching how Robbinsville can operate more efficiently and have reached out to every city, town, etc. in North Carolina to ascertain how they operate so much more efficiently than Robbinsville does.
While pursuing an MBA, I have taken 600-level accounting, finance and business courses, and have years of experience working in the private sector for companies that have to make a profit – so naturally, I look for ways to save money. There are several ways that Robbinsville can save money, as surrounding towns operate much more cost-effectively.
More ethical hiring practices are needed to prevent nepotism. There needs to be a policy preventing elected officials from hiring family members and boyfriends/girlfriends, or holding town jobs themselves. It is very unethical and unfair to the other employees for elected officials to hire someone they are in a relationship with, or family members.
Policies on credit and fuel cards and vehicle use need to be improved. There is no reason for an elected official to carry a town credit or fuel card around with them or use the cards unless there is a documented, pre-approved, legitimate town-related expense. Robbinsville is the only town in the entire state of North Carolina that provides a mayor with a take-home vehicle, and this is an expense that needs to be eliminated. If I am elected, I will not drive a town vehicle or use town credit or fuel cards and I will pay my own cellphone bill.
The biggest challenge facing Robbinsville is the lack of jobs. This town was devastated when Stanley Furniture shut down and outsourced our jobs overseas and sadly, the town officials did very little – if any – to save our jobs. I will reach out to various companies to get someone to relocate their factory here.
Alcohol is on the ballot and it is up to the people to decide whether to sell it or not.
I stand up for what is right and that is what got me into politics, as I was disgusted by town officials wasting the people’s hard-earned money on trips to the beach, meals, take-home vehicles, bonuses, gift cards, fuel for personal vehicles, clothes and many other fringe benefits and personal purchases as well as hiring their family members.
Town officials have attacked me over it since the beginning, but I am still standing up for what is right and will continue to if elected.
Steve Hooper (Incumbent)
Hello, my name is Stephen Hooper. I was born and raised in Graham County. My parents are O.W. Hooper and Mildred Hooper.
I graduated in 1976 from Robbinsville High School, where I played on two state championship football teams. Upon graduating, I worked for Graham County ambulance service as a EMT for 2 ½ years, before marrying and having my first child. I could not support my now-growing family and moved to Georgia to support my family. During this time, I worked in over 20 different states, welding and pipefitting.
I am married to my wonderful wife of 35 years, Thelma Bowen Hooper and we have three wonderful children: Scott (Becky) Hooper, Amareta (Nick) Cable and Chase Hooper. We have nine grandchildren. I am a member of Long Creek Baptist Church where I teach Adult Sunday School. I served as town alderman for 2 1/2 terms – for 10 years in the 1990’s – and have been your mayor for eight years, come November. I would greatly appreciate your vote for mayor.
I will work to get the Tallulah Creek Water Plant updated and back on line and in service. I have been working hard applying for CBDG grants to completely bring our Tallulah Water Plant back on-line and up-to-date.
I will also work to try to lower our taxes on the people. We have not gone up on them, but with the county collecting our town taxes – and us using the debt set-off collecting – over 96 percent of our taxes maybe or could lower them. This would be a board decision for the mayor has no vote unless a tie.
I will also try to get businesses or companies to come to Robbinsville for economy. I know how it is to leave Robbinsville to support your family and know how it is to be homesick and missing Robbinsville.
We need more opportunity for our people to have a good-paying job. A job for our kids that are getting out of school and having to move from home to work. We have the hardest working people here in Robbinsville and Graham County than anywhere I have ever seen. I will work with our congressman and senators to attract businesses to our area. We have an empty plant building and a super large lot, that could be sold and made into a large plant, or several small ones.
I am not one to drink. I was raised and taught that it was wrong and it would cause problems. The board had it placed on the ballot for the people to vote yes or no.
I personally will not support it! But I am only one vote.
I am honest, hardworking and dedicated to my job, no matter how big or small. In the past eight years as mayor, I have overseen and managed over $13 million in state and federal grants. I have eight years of audits. I have been dedicated to the Town of Robbinsville from day one, and the taxpayer. I have worked with all of my employees and have never asked them to do anything that I would not do myself, or help them.
I have always supported any and all town functions: street dances, wild meat festivals, Fourth of July festivals, car shows, Christmas and Halloween, just to name a few – where some council members didn’t.
I’ve been a state-certified flagger for eight years; I’ve been certified three different terms environmental, in order to sign off on state and federal hrants, certified on new computer system.
I have working knowledge on our 27 miles of waterlines and 15 miles of sewer lines. The two water plants and sewer plant. I have a good relationship with state funding agencies, in order to apply for grants.
I have given my all to try to be the best mayor I could be. I always pay my water and sewer bills, my taxes and I have always tried to be honest. I am running for re-election for Mayor on Nov. 2.
Vote Steve!
Aldermen Race
Jacky Ayers
I am a native of Graham County. In the past, I have served as Graham County Manager and Graham County Health Director, as well as two terms as Robbinsville Town Alderman. I am also a retired school teacher and founded Southland Realty.
I have two bachelor’s degrees – one in finance and one in education – and a master’s degree in business education, all from Western Carolina University.
During my previous service as an aldermen, our administration obtained more grants than any in the history of Robbinsville. If elected, I would like to finish what we started during my last term: replacing the water and sewer infrastructure. There is about ⅓ of the town that is still on the old lines and that needs to be taken care of. I will work with individuals at the state level to help fund this; our town is not going to have a better opportunity to get the grant money that will be out there. We also need to get the Tallulah Water Plant back up and running.
The biggest thing Robbinsville needs to improve is Main Street. Working with GREAT (Graham Revitalization and Economic Action Team) and other agencies, we started working on the bypass (during my last term), but Main Street still needs attention. I’m glad they leased out one of the buildings, but there’s money out there to help improve Main Street; you just have to be aggressive and go get it.
I am against alcohol sales. My uncle had the last beer joint in town and when they closed him down in 1947 (Graham County went dry in 1948) and when I went to his funeral, he was yellow. He had cirrhosis. I cannot support it.
I am the most experienced, best-educated and best hope for improving our town, for everybody. I make my decisions based off the majority of Robbinsville and if it is, I vote for it and if not, I vote against it.
There’s been some false numbers put out there by some people and they hired auditors that found zero fraud. They need to run on their record; I’ll run on mine. But I hold no grudges; I will work with any of the other five candidates that are running.
Debbie Beasley (Incumbent)
My name is Debbie Orr Beasley and I have served the citizens of Graham County for 18 years, as the Postmaster. In 2017, I was elected as a town alderman to the citizens of the city limits.
I take my position of both jobs very seriously. I have treated the people with respect and fairness. During the first three years as alderman, we had a lot of past issues to deal with and I believe we have worked hard to prove to the state of North Carolina that we were going to be successful.
When we had to make a decision on how the money was spent, I always took my own mother’s hard earned money into consideration. It has been hard for her to pay her taxes and her water bills at times and I know it has been that way for other taxpayers. I never wanted to take your money and spend it frivolously.
During my term, I can promise the citizens that we haven’t spent the money recklessly. Also, we can’t be held accountable for the past administrations misappropriated funds.
If the citizens of Robbinsville vote to re-elect me. I want to continue to take actions to beautify the downtown area. I would like to see closed buildings fixed up and open for business. I am very interested in looking into affordable housing for families and I want to continue to find ways to keep the tourists here instead of just driving through. We need to have something more to offer than gas and food.
I think we need to find a away to restore the vacant furniture plant and use it for small businesses. This would promote more jobs. It is a great asset to our county and it would allow tourists to enjoy our hospitality. There is so much potential in that property.
This 2021 election will allow the citizens to vote on the sale of beer and wine. The decision is yours to vote on. My stand on this simple: let the people decide. My thoughts on this subject is also simple: we are supposed to be the last dry county in the state of North Carolina, but we are the wettest, dry county! A person can order a drink from several restaurants’ (resorts) in this dry county.
Moonshine has been made and broadcast on television in this dry county. Yet an individual can’t go purchase this at a store and take it to their house. If voted in, it will keep the revenue in our town rather than being used in the surrounding towns. I remember when the sale of lottery tickets was a controversial item, but those tickets are being sold here, and Robbinsville is still a strong community and it will continue to carry on.
Whatever the outcome of this election, I will continue to work hard as you Postmaster and I will enjoy living in Robbinsville. I consider it a honor that I have got to serve my community. I have enjoyed my time helping with honoring our Veterans, helping the kids catch fish at the fishing derbies, Fourth of July events, Christmas parades, old car shows, and Trunk or Treats. I will never forget any of this.
I have been blessed to have made friends with the employees of the Town of Robbinsville and they can count on me to help them in any way I can.
“A vote for Debbie is a vote for the future of Robbinsville.”
Kenneth Hyde
Hello, my name is Kenneth Hyde and I am a native of Graham County. I graduated from Robbinsville High School.
I was ordained at Victory Baptist Church and received a certificate from Missionary Chapel for Pastoral Counseling. I then started working with the Graham County Sheriff’s Office and graduated from the Department of Corrections curriculum at Tri-County Community College and was certified by the state of North Carolina.
This is the first time I’ve run for a political office. I have been lieutenant for Graham County Jail since 2017.
I am planning on working with the community and local missions about the growing homeless population. And I have been talking to the sheriff’s office about having a deputy assigned to city limits. I plan on working closely together with the community and trying to achieve open communication with the people.
On the alcohol issue, I feel that the community should have the deciding vote. I would like to encourage everyone to get out and vote it is our responsibility to let our voices be heard.
Brian “Taco” Johnson (Incumbent)
Hello, I am Brian “Taco” Johnson and am 41 years old. I have been married to Aimee Johnson for 11 years. I was born and raised in Graham County and am a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
I went to Robbinsville High School and Tri-County Community College. I received my GED, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Associates of Emergency Manager Certificate, as well as various certifications in EMS, Fire, Rescue and 911.
I worked for Graham County EMS for 13 ½ years, at which time I switched careers to 911 Communications in Cherokee, where I have been for the past three years. I also currently work part-time with Graham County 911 Communications.
Somehow, in the midst of all my jobs and duties, I have had the privilege of serving as town alderman for the past four years. In these four years, I served as Mayor Pro Temp, and I currently sit on the following boards: Southwestern RPO, Chairman of Graham County Festivals, Chairman of Graham County Rural Development, and Vice-Chair of REVVED UP, a downtown revitalization group.
I currently am serving as Volunteer Fire Chief with Graham County Fire Department Station 3 and Vice Commander of Graham County Rescue Squad.
Here are three things I would do if re-elected as alderman:
* Continue to improve town owned streets and roads
* Continue to support groups that can better the town such as GREAT and REVVED UP.
* Continue to make sound decisions for the people of Robbinsville.
One of our biggest challenges is that we have no big industry in Robbinsville – so to fix this, we need to change our focus toward tourism. Tourism is our new industry and we must embrace that. I am going to continue working with Graham County on getting outdoor recreation businesses that will attract tourists and outdoor adventurists.
I have no direct stance on beer/wine sales, which is why we are leaving the decision up to the people of Robbinsville. I will uphold whatever decision is made.
The last four years have gone by so fast, but within the last four years, I have been a part of a lot of decisions that have been beneficial to our people.
For example:
* Lowering town taxes
* Repaving town streets
* Getting updated maintenance equipment
* Online bill-pay for customer convenience
I would like your support come Nov. 2, so I can continue to improve the Town of Robbinsville.
Nikki Moody
I was born and raised in Robbinsville until my family moved to Virginia after my third grade year at Robbinsville Elementary. I have a background in health and wellness, and hold several, nationally-accredited certifications.
To be honest, I don’t do politics. I’m passionate about doing what’s right and what is best for our community!
I will review current spending and make sure our residents’ tax dollars are appropriated in a manner that is ethical and serves our residents best.
Ultimately, I want to see a thriving Main Street and surrounding area, and more opportunities for employment. A place we are proud of and where people want to be. If elected, I will work hard to make that happen!
We live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, with the most amazing people at the heart of it. It deserves to be shared. I’m excited about tapping into tourism so that others want to come and enjoy what we so dearly love – and in turn, bring in revenue and create more jobs.
I will lock arms with other organizations in the community who also want the absolute best for Robbinsville. I would work with them, not against them. Cohesiveness, not division. Our town and its residents always come first!
I think the biggest challenge Robbinsville faces is the current lack of vision. There’s no reason our young people shouldn’t have safe places to go and safe things to do. Families should have community events and wholesome activities, to look forward to and to be excited about. I will use my corporate background and experience – along with my network – to create opportunities and the environment for our residents to make memories with their loved ones. I will work hard to promote all that Robbinsville has to offer to our visitors, in order to provide growth opportunities for our future generations!
I stand with our residents on the alcohol vote. I’m committed to doing my absolute best with what they decide. At the end of the day, it’s always about what’s best for them!
I always want our residents to feel heard and supported. I love my hometown and the people here. I will work hard, with their best interests at heart!
Alderman candidate Blake Orr did not respond by The Graham Star’s deadline. Should his answers be received, they will be added to this story.