Town of Grifton
Five Board of Commissioners Candidates - Voters Choose Three
William K. Barnes
Your current job and title:
Senior Material Damage Appraiser for North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance
Your highest level of education:
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Tech from ECU
If you're elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?
Establishing a Parks and Rec department and Chamber of Commerce. With the new housing being built and hopefully the town residence growing you need something for them to do in town instead of having to go elsewhere for entertainment and shopping.
If you're elected or re-elected, how will you involve your constituents in the process of making decisions?
When large, impactful things are brought before the board it is just a matter of asking [constituents] what are their thoughts.
Why should voters choose you for the position you're running for?
I feel the voters should choose who they feel is best and most in line with the political views. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to have their votes if they vote for me, but it makes me happier that they are voting and using that power to try and make changes in their community or their voice heard in the community that they live in. I also feel like I represent the citizens and I try and give them a voice that is sometimes not heard or ignored; I am not up there for any other reason.
Which three things about you do you most want voters to know?
I feel the above answer covers this question and the next….
Jessica (Daigneault) Steelman
Your current job and title?
I currently am a home health caregiver to two longtime residents of Grifton, as well as owner of a local cleaning business.
If you're elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?
I want to help Grifton grow! I am a mother of three boys, so the growth of Grifton is very personal to me. I want a community my children are proud of. I am very active in Grifton School PTA (I am the secretary). I’m involved in Grifton Baseball—I help coach, volunteer for concession stand. Anything that involves making activities for our younger citizens are of great importance to me, because one day these will be our future leaders!
Why should voters choose you for the position you're running for?
I am very involved in my community. I support Grifton School and Ayden-Grifton school. I am currently on the Grifton School PTA, Shad Festival Committee, and help coach and volunteer for Grifton Baseball League. I promote growth and have an open-door policy with all the citizens of my hometown. Grifton is my family; family come first!
Is there anything else about you that you wish to tell voters?
If re-elected I will try my best to serve my town. I am the change we need and the voice you deserve!
Angela T. Gay & Mark R. Warren
Awaiting candidate responses.
Ed Beiner, Jr.
Your current job and title:
Store General Manager at Advance Auto Parts
If you're elected or re-elected, what will be your top priority? Why?
Continue to grow Grifton through community events. Over the past couple of years, I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with other citizens in Grifton to bring events like Arts in the Park, Grifton Community Clean-Up Day and Goodness of Grifton Community Movie Night to the Family Town. It always fills my heart to see families come together and enjoying fellowship in our town. The main goal of all these events has been to bring people to Grifton to see what the Family Town is truly about.
Why should voters choose you for the position you're running for?
My heart is into helping Grifton grow and become even better. My friends and family will tell you, whether I am elected or not, I will still push forward with bring more events to Grifton. I know some of my other candidates and I share the same ideas. I want to be there to collaborate with them and bring them to light. I also want to bring more transparency from Town Hall to our citizens. Help explore different avenues to communicate issues and events going on around Grifton.
Is there anything else about you that you wish to tell voters?
I am a member of the Arts in The Park Committee for Grifton. I am one of the founding members of the Facebook page, The Goodness of Grifton. I also have attended a couple of Shad Festival Committee meetings and am involved with volunteering for their events. I am also the guy who takes walks around town with his family and picks up litter while doing so.
