With your help, we have become a part of a Beaufort County historic event. My candidacy marks the first time in history that an unaffiliated candidate has ever made it on the ballot. I couldn't have done it without your help – my personal thanks and gratitude to each and every one who signed my petition.
To move our county forward, we must change the status quo! Help me shake up the "good ol' boy" network in both parties.
IS YOUR VOICE BEING HEARD?
I want to know what's on your mind and will listen!
For years, residents of Beaufort have had to content themselves with the "good ol' boy" system and network, but not any longer.
Stan Deatherage Seeks Re-election
That's right. I seek re-election to my seat as one of your Beaufort County Commissioners. It is my distinct privilege to have served the people of Beaufort County for nearly 14 years as your county commissioner. It is my high honor to have been elected in four county wide elections, for four separate terms, and I do embrace the public's request, and consequently, my oath to serve as seriously as when I took my vows of marriage, as genuine a promise as when I held each of my four new born children.
On vacation on Hilton Head Island when we actually could all get together at one time in one place in summer, 2007. From left to right: Wife, Lynn; Daughter, Anna Alyss; Stan; Daughter, Brandia; Son, Stanhope on leave from the USCG; Son-in-law, Neil Loughlin; Married Daughter, Meredith.
That promise: is that I will work to make your lot better, and one day, I will help you help yourselves to learn to support yourselves, while becoming productive, and caring citizens in our great land, our great state. As each of my four children strived to become productive and wholesome, caring adults, my county also raises a new crop of citizens that must deal their environment in a world that becomes more dangerous, as our government becomes ever more paternalistic. In other words; our two supreme governments - state and federal - tell us how to live, while we taxpayers, who raise children whom become taxpayers, pay their freight.
Almost all of our state and federal mandates are administered through the government closest to the people - the county government. Therefore, it has always been incumbent upon me to question those programs' validity, while facilitating their better management ... and still - I often feel helpless to correct the gross inefficiencies that has become, our state and federal government. Moreover, and more sadly, they are becoming worse.
Alternatively, in my nearly 14 years of serving you, your Beaufort County Government has become much more efficient and could easily serve as a model of efficiency to your state and federal governments, however, I still see where we can become more effective, as we remain the government closest to you, the people of this old county split by the flow of the Pamlico River.
In my nearly 14 years as a county commissioner, I have made many friends. I have also angered many people as I have stood firmly in the path of many special interest desires, which, quite frankly, did not meet my threshold for expending the goodwill of the taxpayer - their tax dollars. That threshold: Does the project meet the present and future needs of a considerable number of our citizens? Often they did not, and much more often than not, I did not vote for their passage, and often worked diligently for their defeat. I am good at saying "no."
Just as I have said "no" often in my 28 years of fatherhood, and sometimes I have said "yes" when the benefits outweighed the negatives, I hope to have earned my children's love and respect. Subsequently, I do not expect my constituents to love me for my nearly 14 years of service, however, I pray that they will respect the office, and understand, and in some measure, respect that I endeavor to always do what I feel is in their best interest for the better management of our county government, and the protection of our children's future.
Furthermore, just as my wife's loyalty to our union of nearly 32 years has humbled me, I likewise appreciate the past opportunity to have been your humble servant, and should you re-elect me, I pledge to surrender unto you my continued loyalty, by oath, and to my county, my fiduciary to remain your county commissioner - humbled as your servant, but bowing to my to no man in your service.
My name is Al Klemm and I am running for reelection as Beaufort County Commissioner. I am running because I want to continue to serve the citizens of Beaufort County and help Beaufort County become a better and more prosperous place to live and raise a family. My beliefs are in strong families, quality education, low taxes, and applying common sense business principles to government. We can do better, for our families, our farmers and our citizens.
To be successful as a Beaufort County Commissioner, I believe involvement in the community is important. Since my retirement in May of 2009, I have made Beaufort County Commissioner and being a volunteer into a full time job and love every minute of it.
Four of the key issues of importance to the citizens of Beaufort County are jobs, education, crime and the tax rate. We need more and better jobs in Beaufort County. We must increase the quality of education, increase the graduation rate and teach the skills required to those not going to college. When there is opportunity and jobs, crime falls. A community that has opportunity grows and the tax base expands. This helps keep taxes low and improves the quality of life. I will continue to focus on those and other important issues if reelected.
Al Klemm
Al Klemm's Involvement in Beaufort County
As chairman of the Beaufort County Economic Development Commission, I helped bring jobs to Beaufort County. As of April 12, 2010, 625 Jobs were brought to Beaufort County through the efforts of the Economic Development Commission. Without those jobs, the unemployment rate in Beaufort County would be three percentage points higher and future opportunity reduced. |
| Beaufort County Workforce Partnership member – Coalition of Beaufort County Public Schools, Beaufort County Community College, Economic Development, local providers, business & industry working to enhance opportunity for Beaufort County Citizens. Applicants outside the county presently fill several of the higher skilled jobs; we are working hard to ensure that the citizens of Beaufort County have the skills to fill the jobs. |
| Committee of 100 Board member and member of several committees – the Committee of 100 is the nonprofit arm of the EDC. Its function is to raise money to help fund economic development. |
| NC 20 Board Member – Coalition of 20 eastern North Carolina counties addresses common issues such as insurance rates, environmental regulation and highway construction. |
| Mideast RC & D Board Member (Resource, Conservation and Development) |
| Belhaven and Washington-Beaufort County Chambers of Commerce member |
| Volunteer work for Beaufort County Schools and the City of Washington |
| Vice President Tranters Run Community Association |
| Former Chairman, Industrial Maintenance Technology Advisory Board, Beaufort Community College |
Committee to Elect Al Klemm
209 Bluegill Drive
Washington, NC 27889
Home: (252) 974-2121
Cell: (252) 944-5068
alklemm@theklemms.com
