Candidates for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and the state General Assembly on Thursday spoke about ways they would work to help farmers if elected this November.

The Watauga County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee sponsored a Meet Your Candidates Forum at the Holiday Inn Express in Boone Thursday.

Commission candidates

Billy Kennedy, a Democratic county commissioner candidate, said the county could encourage programs that keep taxes low for farmers and shield them from the negative effects of development.

“Government does have a role in … helping to support farming,” he said.

Republican Perry Yates said the county should help farmers market their products.

“I’d like to see us market our products and get a good price for them. A lot of that’s shopping local,” Yates said.

Virginia Roseman, a Democrat running for the commission, said, “Part of our job will be to figure out how to protect you. A large apartment complex, in beautiful farmlands — I’m not sure that’s in the best interest of your community.”

Republican commissioner candidate Tommy Adams said an apartment complex likely wouldn’t be built in a rural community, adding, “The market will dictate where something will go.”

Vince Gable, the one-term Republican county commissioner running for re-election, said he wants to protect farmland and waterways but “I am 100 percent against any type of zoning.”

Other candidates said that a “hands off” approach would best benefit farmers.

“I’m a personal property rights advocate. You have the right to do what you want to do with your land,” said Adams.

“Stay back,” said Democrat commissioner candidate John Welch. “Probably the best thing is to let them be.”

One question posed to the candidates was about how much authority the county commission has over health inspectors. Earlier this year, homebuilders and other businesses decried the lengthy amount of time involved in securing permits and inspections.

Gable said the commission addressed the situation this year by withholding funds from the health department until the director could show how the inspection process would be improved.

Kennedy said he has personally had negative experiences with inspectors and that the county must ensure that the right inspectors are hired and that they are courteous to the public.

“If you feel you weren’t treated in such a fashion that was in your best interest, let us know how you’ve been treated,” Roseman said.

Welch vowed to hold a town hall-style meeting in December to hear from community members if he is elected.

Yates said he would like to see more horticultural education at Watauga High School and to work with the school board to establish student-run garden beds at the school.

Kennedy said he would also like to see programs that involve children in agriculture.

“I’m worried about the kids that don’t have any connection to nature any more,” he said.

Gable concluded that during his term as commissioner, the county has lowered its debt amount and is scheduled to pay off three projects within the next three years.

“I promise to you that I’ll do nothing to raise your taxes in any way, shape or form,” said Gable.

Adams said his three top issues —personal property rights, keeping taxes low and economic development — affect everyone, including farmers.

Legislative candidates

Roy Carter, a Democrat running against Republican incumbent Dan Soucek for the 45th District seat in the N.C. Senate, said he wants to help families keep their farms and that a balanced approach is needed to maintain necessary regulations without hampering businesses.

“The state has no business trying to micro-manage other businesses,” said Democrat Cullie Tarleton, seeking election to the N.C. House of Representatives seat he lost to Republican Jonathan Jordan two years ago.

Soucek and Jordan said they supported the General Assembly’s effort to put a moratorium on new regulations during their first terms.

Jordan said he sponsored a bill called the North Carolina Farmers Freedom Protection Act to exempt farmers from federal regulations if they grow, market and sell their products only within North Carolina borders. The bill did not go to a full House vote in the past session, but Jordan said he’d push for the bill again in 2013.

The candidates were asked about tax reform.

Soucek said the current tax code is 100 years old and has been “patched” numerous times. He said he favors “a simpler tax code that’s broader based. It needs to be revenue neutral.”

Carter acknowledged that the tax system is “antiquated” but vowed not to take away tax exemptions that benefit the agricultural sector, as did the other candidates.

Carter also the state should work to ensure that public universities such as Appalachian State purchase locally.

“Let’s get a little bit out of the box” and think of innovative ways to help industries thrive, he said. “Our farmers will meet the challenge.”

Soucek told attendees that he and Jordan worked to reduce taxes, but Tarleton raised taxes while in office.

“I’m very proud of my record — the four years I served in the legislature,” Tarleton said. “I’ll make you this promise. I’ll work hard for you every single day of the week.”