Events

Safety and security are the foundation of every strong community.

When I deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, I saw firsthand that you can’t build schools, support local businesses, or strengthen a community when people don’t feel safe. We wanted to focus on commerce and education, but none of it was possible until we secured safety for the very people we were there to help.
That experience shaped my belief that nothing thrives without security first.

As your County Commissioner, the safety and security of Pender County will be my top priority.

I will ensure our first responders are fully resourced, supported, and equipped for the future. I will work with the Sheriff’s Office, and Fire and EMS to anticipate the needs of a growing county—because security must be forward-looking, not reactive.
Our first responders are the foundation every other pillar of our community stands on, and they deserve our full support.

I also firmly believe every family has the right to be safe in their home and the right to protect themselves. I will always defend that responsibility and that freedom.

For many of our residents, the most dangerous part of their day is the commute—driving to work, taking kids to school, or getting them to after-school activities.
I will partner with the Department of Transportation to secure the road improvements, infrastructure, and planning needed to reduce congestion and ensure families get where they need to go safely—and return home each evening.

But safety isn’t just a government responsibility. It’s a community responsibility—and that includes the developers who want to build here.
As neighbors, we look out for each other. Developers who profit from our growth must be held to the same standard. They must treat us as neighbors. We must fight loopholes that allow unsafe conditions and compromise safety for a quick buck.

Pender County deserves a future built on safety, stability, and responsible growth. I’m committed to fighting for that future every single day.

Rapid, unchecked growth is overwhelming Pender County’s roads, schools, and emergency services. As Commissioner, I’ll work hard for responsible, transparent development that protects our infrastructure and preserves our quality of life.

As neighbors, we look out for one another. Developers who profit from our growth must be held to the same standard. They should treat our community with respect, not cut corners. We must close loopholes that allow unsafe conditions or put profit ahead of people.

And let’s be clear: Commissioners are not helpless. There are real tools to ensure safe and responsible development, including:
• Setting zoning and land-use rules that prevent unsafe or overloaded growth.
• Updating ordinances to strengthen safety, traffic, and stormwater requirements.
• Requiring conditions on developments — such as road upgrades or safety improvements — before approval.
• Ensuring new projects don’t move forward unless roads, schools, and emergency services can support them.
• Demanding traffic impact studies and enforcing their recommendations.
• Negotiating development agreements that require developers to help fund infrastructure.
• Partnering with state leaders and NCDOT to accelerate road improvements.
• Strengthening code enforcement so builders follow safety and construction standards.
• Ensuring the public is fully informed and involved in development decisions.

These are real, practical steps — and they work when leaders have the backbone to use them.

Pender County deserves a future built on safety, stability, and responsible growth. I’m committed to fighting for that future every single day.

 If we want safer roads, less congestion, and development that doesn’t overwhelm our infrastructure, we need more than promises — we need a real plan.

My plan will focus on accelerating the Hampstead Bypass, widening US-17 and NC-210, improving school-zone safety, and strengthening rural connectors like Hwy 53, Hwy 50, and Shaw Hwy. We will require infrastructure before high-density development, ensure developers pay their fair share, and aggressively pursue State and Federal funding so taxpayers aren’t left footing the bill.

Your voice matters. I will build a Transportation Partnership that empowers residents to identify problems and work alongside experts to solve them. This initiative will increase public transparency, expand community input, and ensure grant-driven improvements finally put Pender County ahead of growth — instead of struggling to keep up with it.

We deserve safe roads, responsible development, and leadership with a real plan to deliver results.

Strengthening Pender County’s Workforce
Supporting County Employees Who Keep Our Community Running

As Pender County grows, so does the demand for services. Every day, we rely on the men and women who serve in all departments of our County’s Government. If we want responsive, effective service, we must invest in the workforce that makes it possible.

1. Recruit & Retain Skilled Workers
* Competitive wage and benefits
* Retention incentives
* Internship and early-career pathways to build a future workforce
Goal: Reduce turnover and ensure experienced staff remain serving our citizens.

2. Invest in Professional Growth
* Leadership and skills training for all county departments
* Tuition assistance and certification support
* Internal promotion tracks to develop local talent
Goal: Grow employees into future supervisors, managers, and leaders.

3. Modernize Technology
* Streamlined software for permitting, records, and public access
* More online and self-service options to reduce foot-traffic delays
* Explore AI-assisted routing to speed up documentation and service requests
Goal: Improve efficiency and shorten wait times for residents.

4. Monitor Workload & Plan for Expansion
* Track caseloads, response times, and service delays
* Implement staffing triggers based on population growth
* Annual department capacity reviews
Goal: Address service strain early — not after backlogs develop.

Bottom Line
When our county employees succeed — our residents receive better service, faster response, and stronger support. Investing in the people who keep this county moving is an investment in every citizen.

 The Randy Burton–rushed Fire and EMS merger lacks transparency, foresight, and financial accountability — carrying an estimated $2.1 million annual price tag that could continue to rise and fall back on taxpayers. I have spoken with numerous community leaders, and the consensus is clear: this merger should not have moved forward without a responsible plan, a defined funding source, and safeguards that protect both our first responders and your tax dollars. Yet many of those same leaders believe Randy intends to push it through regardless of cost or consequence.

Pender County owes our Fire and EMS professionals more than appreciation — we owe them leadership that protects, supports, and respects their mission. They should not be forced to carry the weight of political ambition, nor should taxpayers be left holding the bill for decisions made without accountability.

My promise to every Fire and EMS professional is simple: when I am Commissioner, I will work with you, stand with you, and fix the problems this rushed merger has created. Our first responders deserve better — and so do the people of Pender County.

Pender Post Lawsuit
A personal dispute by Randy Burton over what he considered “negative press” has cost taxpayers more than $1 million in legal exposure. The decision to remove the County’s legal notice not only violated NCGS 1-597, but also appeared to be an attempt to punish the Pender Post for publishing things Randy didn’t like.

Punishing the media for exercising free speech is not a conservative value—it’s something we expect from the other party. As Commissioner, I will restore the County’s legal notices to a publication that fully complies with NCGS 1-597.

With the upcoming property revaluation, citizens of this county are facing a significant tax increase. As property values rise, I will work to lower the property tax rate so that residents do not see an increase in their overall tax bills. I will also advocate for zero-based budgeting to ensure that your tax dollars are spent wisely, efficiently, and transparently. 

Overcrowded classrooms and staffing shortages highlight the urgent need for better coordination between the County and the School Board. As a father and husband of a Pender County teacher, I strongly support our educators and students and will make it a priority to ensure strong schools and safe learning environments for every child. 

Pender County remains vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding, and our stormwater systems are in need of modern upgrades. As Commissioner, I will strengthen emergency preparedness and actively pursue federal and state grants to make our communities more resilient.