Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

A native of Halifax County, County Commissioner Wade Nelms has been a resident of Carteret County since 1999. Commissioner Nelms has proudly called Newport home since 2002, and has served as County Commissioner since 2006.

His career background includes that of community outreach and public relations manager of Public Radio WZRU, and managing editor of The Daily Herald, both in Roanoke Rapids. Upon moving to Atlantic Beach, Nelms became the communications supervisor for the Atlantic Beach Police Dept.

He retired on medical disability in 2002, but remained active in his community, volunteering with the St. James Thrift Shop and the Newport area Meals on Wheels. Currently, Nelms is the lay leader and assistant Sunday school superintendent at St. James United Methodist Church.

Nelms currently serves on the following boards:

• Carteret County Board of Commissioners
• East Carolina Council of Government Executive Committee
• Coastal Community Action, Chairman of the Board
• East Carolina Job Training Consortium
• Newport Library Board
• Morehead City Ports Committee

Commissioner Wade Nelms has four years' proven experience of treating citizens with dignity and respect. That was his campaign pledge four years ago, and today; his constituents say that he uses a common sense approach in the decision-making process. They call him "the voice of reason" and not just another rubber stamp.

I appreciate the support of so many citizens over the past four years and I would greatly appreciate your vote of support on Nov. 2nd. I feel that I have worked diligently to be knowledgeable on issues that have come before the board, and I have involved you - the citizens - in the decision-making process.

By working together, we have maintained a conservative budget by holding the tax rate at .23 per $100 valuation every year since the 2007 tax revaluation. We are currently working to complete a $2.65 Million Newport area park and a $3 Million county-wide E-911 communications center.

The current economic crisis presents many challenges for the future and many projects are ongoing that I would like to have input on for the future. It is imperative that all citizens have a voice in local government as we work to:

• Streamline operations or consider a possible merger of county-wide EMS units;
• Consider traffic alternatives brought about by growth and infrastructure demand;
• Maintain the stellar performance of our public school system;
• Support law enforcement in the fight against crime and drugs in our communities;
• Address the needs for affordable housing while attracting economic development that is the right blend for small businesses and larger companies that pay a decent living wage to our citizens.

With your abiding support and vote of confidence on Nov. 2nd, I will continue to listen to your concerns and work as your elected "Voice of Reason".