Bill Harris, a former commissioner ousted in the November election, and two newcomers in bidding for public office, Wayne Carver and Garion Bunn, both now members of the town’s planning board, sat before the four current commissioners and answered their questions.
The three are seeking appointment to a vacant position on the town board created by the death of Jeff Wells in December. Two years of Wells’ term remain.
Mayor John Byrne has said board members will make the appointment at their regular meeting Feb. 1. Each of the candidates emphasized the value of his experience in promoting himself for the open seat. Garion Bunn, who holds a bachelor of science degree in construction management from A&T University, is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration at Wake Technical College. He also works at Wake Tech as a project manager. According to the application he filled out, he has managed a variety of projects ranging from parks and greenways to swimming pools and new buildings.
“My background uniquely qualifies me to fill a gap that is otherwise missing from the Town Board of Commissioners,” Bunn wrote.
Carver holds a B.S. degree from Western Carolina University and has taken several advance management courses at the University of South Carolina and one Dale Carnegie course. He is has been president and general manager of Stephens Supply in Fuquay-Varina for the past 11 years. Prior to coming to Fuquay-Varina he was vice president and general manager of Kellogg Supply Co. Inc. in Manteo and from 1973 until 1992, he was with Builderway, Inc., in Greenville, S. C. as purchasing agent, general manager of the lumber yard and district manager over seven stores.
Carver believes his management skills would be useful to the board.
Harris, a graduate of North Carolina Central University with a master’s degree in public administration. He has done further graduate study in public administration at N. C. State. He currently works for the state in human services.
In his bid for the vacant seat, Harris has emphasized his 22 years of experience on the town board.
Asked by a commissioner why he thinks he lost that seat in November, Harris said, “I did not work hard enough. I have no one to blame but myself.” He added that sometimes “life experiences” occur when least expected, and some such experiences occurred in his life in the period before the election.
After answering questions on a number of topics which led them to talk of transportation needs, the need for industrial and commercial growth, how to lure industry and more, commissioners asked each man to state why he believes he would be the best man for the commissioner post.
Harris said, “I’m not a quitter. I want to continue to serve. I think I can be an asset. Because of my experience I have more to offer.”
Bunn said, “I have enjoyed this experience (seeking the office). I have learned a lot and I hope my construction experience and my schooling in public administration will be useful. Nothing would please me more than to help make Fuquay-Varina the kind of place we want it to be.”
Bunn also mentioned his concern for diversity on the board. “Sometimes some elements of the population are overlooked,” he said, adding that, in his view, diversity does not necessarily mean color. “Other things contribute to diversity,” he said. Bunn and Harris are black. Carver is white. The four commissioners now on the board are white.
Carver said, “I feel my past experiences will help me bring something to the board. We know that people are coming, that retail is coming, the county is growing, Ft. Bragg is enlarging. We will have opportunities when experience will be valuable. (Earlier Carver cited trade organizations he has worked with, held office in and gone to Washington lobbying for. He has also worked with Fuquay-Varina’s Economic Development effort, with the Chamber of Commerce and with the Fuquay-Varina Athletic Association). He also noted that he works in town and would be readily available to citizens.
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