Both candidates seeking the open 1st seat in District 2 on the Chowan County Board of Commissioners say they support the county’s $15 million recreation bond referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Both Democrat Christopher McNeil and Republican Tony Shaffer also support building an aquatics facility in the future but neither supports reordering the county’s current priorities for spending the bond’s proceeds to make the project happen sooner.
Chowan voters will begin casting one-stop absentee ballots for the Nov. 5 election in the large conference room at the Chowan County Agricultural Center at 730 N. Granville St., Edenton, on Thursday. Hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 20 and Oct. 27, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to contested races for U.S. President, North Carolina governor, N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and state senator, Chowan voters will have one local contest to decide — that between McNeil and Shaffer for Seat 1 in District 1 on the Board of Commissioners. The seat is currently occupied by Republican Alex Keyhes who is not seeking re-election.
Chowan voters also will decide the fate of a $15 million recreation bond referendum the county Board of Commissioners agreed to put on the Nov. 5 ballot. The referendum, if approved, would authorize the county to borrow $15 million for recreation projects identified in a master plan that was completed in June. The projects would include a new recreation complex with a gymnasium, a new senior center, and an aquatic complex feasibility study. The recreation complex could potentially include baseball and softball fields, multi-purpose fields, tennis and pickleball courts, walking trails, paddling trails, picnic shelters and a playground.
Though the bond funds an aquatic feasibility study to determine the costs of building and maintaining a swimming pool, there are no funds allocated toward construction of a swimming pool.
County officials have said the county’s tax rate would rise 6.4 cents — from 69.5 cents to 75.9 cents — if voters approve the bond referendum.
Asked if they would support the current spending program proposed by commissioners for the $15 million recreation bond, both McNeil and Shaffer said they do.
Shaffer said he supports the bond as a starting point for improving the county’s recreation program. He sees room for expansion later.
“The current commissioners worked hard to balance the potential spending with important projects that would benefit the people of the county and visitors,” he said. “I am for the projects that would develop locations and provide incentives for visitors to come to the county, and through their visits, help increase revenue.”
He said “there is no guarantee” that the tax increase that would have to be imposed if the referendum passes “would be sufficient for everything the county needs for recreation development, but is a good balance and starting point.” He said “some projects will need to be pushed into the future, for now.”
McNeil voiced his support for the bond as well. “I support the Recreation Bond of 2024,” he said. “The Recreation Bond will provide opportunities to have new jobs.”
Both candidates also see an aquatic sports complex with a swimming pool as a worthy project, but see it as a future project.
“One controversial point regarding the bond is the pool issue,” Shaffer said. “The current bond does not contain funding for a project, but does provide for funding to do a feasibility study (for a pool). … The sustainment costs are likely to be significant, so a full study and understanding of costs versus benefits is important to have before a decision is made to build a pool.”
McNeil said he supports the ideal of an aquatic sports center.
“I feel a recreation complex with a gymnasium is a wonderful idea for the kids and the community to enjoy,” he said. “The senior center and aquatic center will provide help for our seniors in the community.”
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