Position/philosophy statement
Royce Bennett is dedicated to bringing positive change to our community. With a focus on transparency and integrity, I am committed to empowering citizens through informed decision-making.
Current Occupation
Realtor
Campaign Phone
910-389-9638
I am your County Commissioner working to improve Onslow communities. I am a small business owner (Shepherd Shoppe Christian Book Store/Realtor), married 41 years, with children, grandchildren and parents living in Onslow. Church Deacon and former music director of Blue Creek Baptist Church. Chairman, ONWASA; Founder/Vice-Chair, Onslow Strong (OSDRA); Salvation Army Board, Chair. As a 12-year-old junior Fire Fighter, I learned to support the Volunteer Fire Service. At age 16 I was a Certified EMT. While serving 14 years as a Law Enforcement Officer I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from NC Weslyan College. That is why I always support emergency services.
Neighborhood needs, including homelessness and housing shortages are most important, yet solutions are not government’s alone -- “it takes a village”. Onslow’s human services have expanded –low income and family assistance, health care, pre-trial diversion for youth and veterans, new senior services. Onslow is streamlining processes to facilitate workforce housing, owner-builders, etc. New school construction now keeps pace with burgeoning enrollments. We must improve emergency services capacity, EMS response times and increase neighborhood medic stations. Volunteer Fire Departments are essential -- a permanent funding source must be identified. I’d like to hear YOUR ideas – give me a call. 910-389-9623, and let’s talk Onslow!
The County’s role, and legal responsibility, is to provide funding for school buildings and maintenance of facilities. I have worked to ensure that Onslow County’s capital improvement plan includes funding for new K-12 schools (as determined by the elected OCS board) and funding for school facilities maintenance as enumerated in a mutual funding formula. I will continue to support these practices, as well as a similar funding solution program with Coastal Carolina Community College. I enjoy talking with students (and grownups!) about local government, and Onslow government offers civics enrichment programs through field trips to county facilities, and classroom programs.
I have a strong record of supporting economic development programs and opportunities. The only way to keep a low tax rate is to grow the economy, bringing jobs and clean industries for our communities, and ensuring our schools and Community College provide training responsive to employers’ needs. I have been instrumental in increasing funding for economic development and working with our City-County Partnership to improve our economy. I will continue to work to develop Industrial and Business Parks in Holly Ridge (Camp Davis), Burton Park, Jacksonville and Swansboro. I’m proud to have helped improve business development processes in our county, including online permitting and expedited rezoning applications.
Social Services are always a priority in communities, addressing essential needs for varied situations, infants to seniors. Again – it takes a village, and our County serves as a hub for supportive non-governmental services. We recently hired a Deputy County Manager whose role is to oversee, identify improvements and manage our social services, and serve as a liaison to improve service coordination and avoid duplication. I will continue my work with outside church and other supportive groups to fill any service gaps that the County cannot fill, and to continue to champion funding and support for County social services.
Onslow County is heading in the right direction! I will make sure that we continue to control spending while we provide a high performing government with a debt management plan and long-term strategies to meet the needs of Onslow Citizens. My record speaks for itself. I care about the future of our families and the communities where they live, work and grow. I want to continue leading Onslow County with your needs as my guide.
I have a proven record of responsive service to all. My door is always open. I care about the future of our families and the communities where they live, work and grow. Give me a Call, 910-389-9638, LET’S TALK ONSLOW!
Position/philosophy statement
To me, responsible leadership means planning ahead, protecting taxpayers, respecting property rights, listening to the people, and making responsible decisions that preserve what makes Onslow County home for generations to come.
Current Occupation
Operations Manager
Age (optional)
35
Campaign Phone
910-915-3816
My experience connects directly to many of the responsibilities of county government. As a small business operator, I manage budgets, employees, payroll, contracts, insurance, and daily operations. That experience has taught me the importance of fiscal responsibility, planning ahead, and being accountable for the decisions you make. As a Guardian ad Litem, I have firsthand experience with our local court system and services that support children and families. My involvement with workforce development, public safety, education, and community organizations has allowed me to see many of the challenges facing Onslow County firsthand. I know how to research an issue, ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and make informed decisions.
I believe the most important issue facing Onslow County over the next two years is managing growth while ensuring our infrastructure and county services can keep up. Growth affects nearly everything the county is responsible for, including schools, EMS, public safety, planning, and our budget. We need to be proactive, especially in our unincorporated areas, and look beyond individual rezoning decisions to where growth is already occurring under existing zoning. That means strengthening our planning tools, coordinating with schools, NCDOT, municipalities, and other partners, and planning for infrastructure needs before services become overwhelmed. Growth is happening, and our responsibility is to make sure Onslow County is prepared for it.
The County’s most effective role is ensuring our schools have the funding and facilities needed to serve a growing county. We already have a capital plan identifying future school needs, but those schools ultimately need to be built. I support stronger coordination between the County Commissioners, Board of Education, county planning staff, and municipalities so we are looking at residential growth and school capacity together. We need to plan ahead, prioritize the areas facing the greatest capacity pressures, and work together on realistic funding and timelines to move needed school construction forward. I also support continued investment in career and technical education to prepare students for opportunities right here in Onslow.
Onslow County has become heavily service based, and we need to be intentional about diversifying our economy. I would focus on attracting light manufacturing, aviation, defense support, logistics, marine trades, and other industries that provide good paying careers. We should better leverage assets like Burton Industrial Park and Albert J. Ellis Airport while identifying additional sites for commercial and industrial growth. Stronger partnerships with local employers, our military community, schools, and CCCC can help build the workforce these industries need. We already invest in educating and preparing our youth. We need to create career opportunities that give them a reason to stay and build their future here in Onslow County.
Improving social services is not just about adding programs. It is about making sure the services we have are accessible, properly staffed, and working together. I support strong partnerships with nonprofits, community organizations, and other agencies to fill service gaps, avoid duplicating efforts, and stretch taxpayer dollars by sharing resources and costs. We should also focus on prevention and early intervention whenever possible. Through my experience as a Guardian ad Litem, I have seen how timely services and consistent support can make a difference for families. We should identify gaps, measure outcomes, and invest where we can make the greatest impact.
I bring a combination of business experience, community leadership, and hands-on public service to this race. As a small business operator, I understand budgeting, accountability, workforce challenges, and the impact local decisions have on families and businesses. My previous leadership or involvement with local nonprofits like the Kiwanis, Guardian ad Litem program, education and workforce advisory boards, and Community Committees has allowed me to see our county from many different perspectives. That experience has prepared me to tackle responsible growth, strengthen our economy, support essential services, protect taxpayer dollars, and plan for Onslow County’s future.
Position/philosophy statement
I believe Onslow County can grow without losing the things that make it home. That means responsible accountable development, transparent government, and decisions that put our current residents first.
Current Occupation
Member of the GRCA Board of Directors
Campaign Phone
9109390892
I believe what makes me a strong candidate is that I understand the everyday life in Onslow County. I’m a wife to a veteran and a mother of five. I have managed our household while also homeschooling for the past 14 years. I am active in civic engagement and serve on the board of Georgetown Renaissance Community Association. I also managed a private client-services business, handling sensitive information, and solving problems in high-pressure situations. I earned my MBA from East Carolina University, along with a certificate in Leadership in Organizations. My undergraduate majors in human resources and marketing, gave me a strong foundation in strategic thinking and working effectively with people.
I believe the most important issue the County Commission will face in the next two years is managing growth responsibly. Onslow County is growing, and that growth touches almost every major responsibility of county government. New development affects road capacity, drainage and stormwater, public safety response times, school capacity, housing, utilities, health-care access, and the county budget. The challenge is making sure infrastructure, and services keep pace with development instead of forcing the county and its residents to catch up afterward. Every decision made today will shape whether growth improves quality of life or creates problems that become more expensive and difficult to solve later.
The County Commission should be a strong partner to the Board of Education. A strong partnership requires accountability from both boards. I would expect regular, clear communication. When agreed-upon deadlines for budgets, capital needs, planning, or required information are missed, it can affect available resources for students and lead to avoidable costs for taxpayers. Both boards have obligations to students, families, and the public.
I would propose an economic-development policy that focuses county incentives on employers that create quality, long-term jobs. If public money or tax incentives are used to recruit a company, the agreement should include clear expectations for jobs, wages, investment, and timelines. It should also include a way for the county to recover funds if those commitments are not met.
I would also support a formal workforce partnership among the county, Coastal Carolina Community College, local employers, and our schools. The goal should be to connect training programs to careers that are actually available here, especially in health care and skilled trades.
I would propose a county policy focused on retaining qualified social-services staff. The quality of services depends on experienced employees who understand the programs and the families they serve. When turnover is high, residents can face delays and remaining staff often carry heavier workloads. Social services should also be part of how we plan for growth. When new development brings more families into an area, it increases the need for the services those families depend on. The county should consider that added demand when making decisions about development, staffing, and future budgets.
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Position/philosophy statement
My philosophy is simple: people first, responsible government, fact-based decisions, accountable spending, and a voice for every community. I’m a People-tician, meaning, I take care of people—Clear. Committed. Upfront.
Current Occupation
Retired United States Marine
Age (optional)
48
Campaign Phone
3054797344
I bring a lifetime of leadership, service, and organizational experience. As a retired U.S. Marine, government contracting and procurement professional, ordained minister, mentor, and community leader, I have experience leading people, managing resources, solving problems, and making difficult decisions. My Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Ed.D. in Christian Education strengthen my ability to understand organizations, develop people, and plan strategically. I will bring disciplined, fact-based, people-centered leadership focused on accountability, responsible growth, and serving every community in Onslow County.
For me, the central issue is responsible growth and making sure county services keep pace. As Onslow grows, we must plan ahead for schools, EMS, public safety, infrastructure, housing, and other essential services while remaining accountable with taxpayer dollars. Growth should create opportunity without overwhelming the services families depend on. My approach is to use reliable data, plan before problems become crises, protect essential services, and make sure every community has a voice.
The County Commission’s most effective role is providing responsible local funding, planning for school capacity and capital needs, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are accountable. I would support data-driven funding for classroom needs, facility maintenance, school safety, and construction where enrollment and growth justify it. I would also strengthen coordination between the Commission and Board of Education so development, enrollment, and future school needs are planned together. Commissioners should support education while respecting the School Board’s authority to operate the schools.
I would focus on responsible economic growth that creates jobs, supports small businesses, and strengthens our workforce. I would promote policies that streamline county processes, expand workforce and skills partnerships, support veteran and military-family employment, encourage entrepreneurship, and coordinate growth with roads, utilities, housing, schools, and public safety. I would also strengthen partnerships with municipalities and economic-development organizations to attract employers while supporting existing businesses. Growth should expand opportunity, strengthen our tax base, and benefit communities across Onslow County.
I would focus on making social services easier to access, better coordinated, and accountable for results. I would support stronger partnerships among county agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers, schools, veteran organizations, and faith/community groups; expand outreach for mental and behavioral health, seniors, veterans, youth, and families; and improve how residents find available services. I would also review funding and performance data to identify gaps, reduce duplication, and direct resources where needs are greatest. The goal is efficient, compassionate services that help people move toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Leadership, to me, is about service, responsibility, and making sure people have access to the support and resources they need to succeed. I believe county government should listen first, communicate clearly, provide practical guidance, and connect residents with services that strengthen families and communities. I would support stronger coordination among county departments, schools, municipalities, nonprofits, veterans’ organizations, healthcare providers, businesses, and faith/community partners so resources are easier to find and gaps are addressed. My approach is people first, fact-based decisions, responsible stewardship, and measurable results. I want every community to feel heard, respected, supported, and included in the future of Onslow County—Clear. Committed. Upfront.
