Voters can pick two of the four New Hanover County commissioner candidates. Early voting runs Oct. 23-Nov. 1, and Election Day is Nov. 4.

For more info, go to the county’s Board of Elections website at www.elections.nhcgov.com.
 

Derrick G. Hickey

Political affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Orthopaedic hand and upper extremity surgeon
Political experience: New Hanover County Board of Education, 2010-present
If elected, what would you do to promote economic development?
“Economic development requires low taxes and a sensible regulatory structure that is consistently applied. Additionally, the county should invest in water and sewer infrastructure that is necessary to support development. Once we have ensured that our tax and regulatory system is business friendly and we have the infrastructure to support development, we should focus on retaining existing and recruiting new businesses and entrepreneurial investors. Implementing the strategic plan as described in the Garner Report will also help to develop a diverse, growing economy.”
What specific sectors should the county focus on to grow jobs and what role would you have as commissioner to help attract those jobs?
“We should implement the strategic plan in the Garner Report. This report weighed our community’s assets and challenges and made important recommendations that I support. It recommended focusing on life sciences/marine research, high value office operations, precision manufacturing and aircraft assembly modification and maintenance. As a commissioner, I would devote efforts to ensuring that our taxes are low and that our zoning regulations and infrastructure encourage development in these areas. Further, I would work with the local airport authority to construct hangers and with Cape Fear Community College to develop an airframe assembly certificate program that would contribute to implementing the recommendations.”
On what projects should local transportation dollars be prioritized?
“Since financial and operational responsibility for public roads and transportation is shared between federal, state and municipal governments, I would develop relationships with officials from each of these in order to voice the needs and concerns of our community for transportation. The county participates in the Wilmington Metro Transportation Planning Organization. I would work to have the Wilmington MPO enhance road connectivity which would reduce congestion, provide for greater safety and reduce travel time. Reducing traffic congestion should also promote residential and commercial development, which would bring jobs to our community.”
Name three specific goals you would have while in office.
“Promoting economic growth will be my top priority. Economic growth requires that we invest in education, develop common sense regulations that are consistently applied and maintain our beaches and inlets. Another goal I have is promoting transparency.
Transparency builds credibility and trust. Citizens should know that their government is on their side and is working for them. I will also work to promote collaboration between the county, the city and beach communities and businesses and citizen groups. We will not all agree on every issue, but we should discuss issues and take the best ideas from all sources.”

Patricia Spear

Political affiliation:  Democrat
Occupation: Owner/insurance associate for 15 years, physical therapy assistant for 23 years
Political experience:  None listed
If elected, what would you do to promote economic development?
“• Small business incentives (tax, small business loans and educational support)
• Encourage, support existing and new businesses by the county to promote local shopping campaigns
• Promote open house events by
all businesses to show off their goods and services within the county
• Encourage more small businesses to come to NHC by promoting our great quality of life and area
• Encourage the infrastructure and development of Hwy 421 area of the county to promote business/cooperate opportunity
• More families are relocating to our area. Business will need to service more individuals, promoting an increase in revenue, employment,
economic opportunity and growth.”
What specific sectors should the county focus on to grow jobs and what role would you have as commissioner in helping attract those jobs?
“• Voting to provide the infrastructure for business development. Hwy 421 corridor industrial area and water and sewer construction. The need of industrial space is needed to encourage corporations to settle in NHC.
• Voting for the county to provide all businesses with taxes incentives and job creation incentives. Promoting new small businesses to come to NHC and existing ones to stay and grow proving increase in job growth.
• Population growth will increase services the city and county will provide. This will create more city and county job placement. Jobs will be determined as the rate of residents living in NHC increase.”
On what projects should local transportation dollars be prioritized?
“• Due to the increase of families and individuals moving to our area yearly, traffic will increase the need for better and expanded transportation plans for all the residents of NHC. 
• We will need to assist in the expansion of services from the Wave Transit Authority in a cost-effective way, providing transportation from the unincorporated areas to the city for work, school and entertainment and provide more revenue to our local businesses.
• Meeting these needs by increasing communication from the county government, the Wave Transit Authority and all county residents by working together, must be productive and not reactive planning.”
Name three specific goals you would have while in office.
“1. NHC commissioners need to create a bridge/alliance with small business owners to accomplish goals for growth within our community for new/existing businesses and job creation.
2. Create/look for opportunities to assist with development of strong businesses and working together with the business sector to examine keys issues for their needs. Also, to determine a strategic plan for economic growth and look at all challenges, providing a solution on common ground. We must have better communication pushing beyond the current situation.
3. Assist with the infrastructure for more viable business environment will thrive in NHC, especially Hwy 421 area industrial sites.”

Skip Watkins

Political affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Financial advisor
Political experience: Ran for Wilmington City Council in 2013
If elected, what would you do to promote economic development?
“Water and sewer is needed across the river to the 421 corridor in order to attract development. The northern part of New Hanover County also needs water and sewer to foster growth.
The Urban Services Boundary needs to be looked at. Areas within the urban services boundary either already receive a full range of urban services or are areas to which urban services are allowed to be extended to in the future. The Special Use Permit process also needs to be addressed.”
What specific sectors should the county focus on to grow jobs and what role would you have as commissioner in helping attract those jobs?
“We need jobs that bring livable wages to our region. As for specific sectors, that will be a function of ongoing recruiting and companies coming to us. We have lost manufacturing jobs, which typically provide good wages. I would like to see our growing pharma industry expand even more.”
On what projects should local transportation dollars be prioritized?
“Many citizens may not realize that the county does not build nor maintain roads. However, the county does play an important role. In the last few years a group representing the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization finalized a comprehensive regional “Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan”. This plan encompasses all of New Hanover County and some of Pender and Brunswick. That along with our developing comprehensive plan should guide us.”
Name three specific goals you would have while in office.
“A) Help bring quality jobs to New Hanover County
B) Focus on fiscal responsibility
C) Focus on public safety/crime reduction”

Rob Zapple

Political affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: General contractor
Political experience: Ran for New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in 2012
If elected, what would you do to promote economic development?
“I support measures that will increase infrastructure development and allow for smart growth in residential, commercial and industrial sectors through the use of clear, concise regulations and land use ordinances. Funding of early childhood education, support of high school vocational programs and community college certification programs – these programs help develop the skilled, educated workforce that is necessary for retaining existing businesses, growing our entrepreneurial sector and attracting new businesses that will offer the jobs of the future. Diversity of businesses and strong educational institutions will create a thriving economy that will lead to strong, sustained economic growth.”
What specific sectors should the county focus on to grow jobs and what role would you have as commissioner in helping attract those jobs?
“I will advocate for a regional voice that includes elected officials and governments from New Hanover and adjacent counties in our business and economic development initiatives. Specifically, a focus on the development of industrial sites along the Route 421 corridor – working with CFPUA, other local governments and private businesses to provide water and sewer service to the west side of the Cape Fear River.
An increase of certification programs at CFCC that match the needs of local manufacturing and commercial businesses, support of our growing contract research organizations
sector and existing public/private initiatives, including Marbionc and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”
On what projects should local transportation dollars be prioritized?
“The completion of the Interstate 140 roadway is a priority to keep a large volume of commercial traffic off our local roads and for the efficiency of commerce. Solutions to heavy traffic intersections, including Oleander and College Road, Market Street north of Gordon Road, widening of Gordon Road and the creation of another north/south artery from I-40 to the southern part of the county. Also, an affordable solution for another bridge over the Cape Fear River and the development of an economically sustainable public transportation system that provides reliable, on-time service along major traffic corridors.”
Name three specific goals you would have while in office.
“First, to get the county commissioners to work with each other and with local governments and adjacent counties, so that we can speak with a united and regional voice.
Second, to assure our business community that we can use our county regulations, permitting and land use plans for business opportunities in New Hanover County and are willing to help existing businesses to expand and attract new businesses that embrace innovative technologies that share our respect for our unique coastal environment.
Third, to protect, enhance and act as good stewards of our natural resources – our beaches, rivers and waterways, pine forests and underground fresh water aquifers – the foundation of our county’s tourism industry that generated $460 million for our economy in 2012, so that we can pass on to future generations the wonderful quality of life and place that has been passed on to us by previous generations.”