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!
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Position/philosophy statement
NC
Current Occupation
Retired
Age (optional)
68
Campaign Phone
9103893306
Native of Onslow County Residing in Jacksonville NC. I am asking for your vote for Onslow County Commissioner. I am running for the office to be a true voice for citizens of Onslow County.
Conservative, Christian, Prolife, Retired Veteran from United States Army, 3 Different types of Business owner, Former Law Enforcement Officer, Former Onslow County Volunteer Fireman, VFW Life member, DAV Life member, NRA member, Former President of the Jacksonville Breakfast Rotary Club, High School Diploma.
One of the most important concerns that I have is the County Budget. As your County Commissioner I will work diligently and responsibly to ensure your tax dollars are being spent wisely. I will make every effort possible not to raise your county tax rate and adjust the tax revaluation periods.
I also believe that every child deserves a good education Programs in place that will give them the basic foundations and opportunity to be successful in life. It is a strong priority for me that our students are safe within our schools and in our communities, I will work with the Board of Education to ensure that all students have a clean and safe classroom environment in which to learn.
Policies that would in Prove the local economy focus on sustainable growth, reducing retail leakage Promote Industrial business to bring new jobs stability to Onslow County. Targeting the following areas retail recruitment, small business support Increase federal contracting. We must build for the future. Water treatment plant. As I know of, there's no plans currently. To build a wastewater treatment plant. That's going to come to a cost of approximately $66 million. Prioritizing investment in water and sewer infrastructure to attract industrial and commercial development, adhering to the philosophy that "investment follows water and sewer”. If we want to bring industry and jobs to Onslow County, this is a must.
Onslow County currently has a working policy in place. We need to ensure that we maintain and improve current policies that are in place, and make changes as needed.
I am committed to ensuring that I have an open-door policy, I have a proven track record for listening to the citizens and their issues and concerns and I will make a concerted effort to remain available to the residents of Onslow County during my campaign and after my election. Access to your local leaders and open communications is accentual to successfully building relationship with the citizens within your County.
I will work diligently with other leaders within Onslow County to ensure local government has a free open market environment to develop new businesses that can support the citizens of Onslow County and beyond. I believe it is a responsibility of the open government to make Onslow County attractive and have some type of incentives to bring economic development to our County.
