#ncga: In 2018, Byrd just MIGHT be THE WORD
Moore County’s Jamie Boles has had it relatively easy in his decade in Raleigh. The Republican, representing state House district 52, easily knocked off a troubled incumbent in a crowded 2008 primary. Between 2008 and 2016, the legislator and well-liked, well-respected funeral home owner got a free pass on election day. (In Moore County, everything gets decided in the GOP primaries.)
In 2016, he got a scare from political newcomer J.D. Zumwalt in the March primary. Boles was battered with criticism for a less-than-stellar voting record and conservative rating (ranked 62nd out of 120 with a conservative rating of 69.2 out of 100 for 2017 by Civitas) and an alleged lack of responsiveness to folks back home. Zumwalt criticized Boles for being so enamored with the limelight in Raleigh that he forgot about the word “represent” in his job title.
Well, it’s 2018 and Boles has another primary opponent in the form of 
Aberdeen town councilman Ken Byrd. Byrd, a 30-year veteran of the US Air Force, a Citadel alum and a homeland security consultant, is picking up on a lot of the themes the Zumwalt campaign wielded in 2016.
“We don’t have a voice in Raleigh,” says Byrd, in explaining why he filed for the House. “Folks here in Moore County are frustrated. Their calls aren’t being returned. Money meant for our schools is being shipped off to other counties. There is a real sense that no one is standing up for us in Raleigh.”
Byrd settled in Moore County with his family mainly because of the desire of his wife — who grew up in the Aberdeen area — to come back home.
Byrd says he’s guided by a sense of duty to serve others. That guided his 
decision to join the board of directors at The Academy of Moore, a successful charter school in Aberdeen. It also guided his quest to volunteer in Aberdeen town government and eventually run for the town council.
“I’ll never forget approaching then-mayor Betsy Mofield, telling her of my desire to get involved, and asking her ‘How can I help?,’ ” said Byrd. “She looked me in the eye and joked ‘Be Careful what you ask for.’ ”
As an example of his governing philosophy, Byrd cites his approach on the town council when developers come seeking permits for a project.
“I want to be a problem solver, and want all of the parties to feel they got a 
fair shake,” said Byrd. “I try to work with both sides — the developer and the homeowners — to see if there are areas where each side can give or take a little, so we can come out with a solution that leaves everybody somewhat reasonably satisfied.”
If elected, Byrd said his main areas of focus will include: an aggressive effort to ensure fairness for Moore County schools in the funding process, as well as reforms in economic development policy — such as the tier system, which many say unfairly hamstrings Moore County,
Byrd sounds perfect. Much better than the insider, fake conservative, sycophant Bowles.
And Representative Boles wants to plunk a “Round-About” in the middle of Midland Road at Rt. 22 which is not even a cross road. How about a STOP lite? Cost: $1.06 million for the Round-About.
I know, you are afraid of someone running a red lite and someone dying. If that is the case we have 15 or 20 other Cross Road Red Lights that should have “Round-Abouts.”
Where is the money coming from and who is getting it?
It is time you Elected Public Servants respond to what the people want, not what You! think we need!
Really Russ? The roundabout at 22 was approved by Southern Pines last year, how is it Jamie’s fault? Get a clue, Jamie is far from perfect, but don’t blame DOT projects approved by the towns on someone who has nothing to do with the process.
LOL Either way you put it Sir or Mam, Jamie did nothing good for our towns and county in a decade he was there. I am going to give Byrd a chance. He sounds like a good guy I want to be my representative.
Jamie Boles is not responsible for every proposal made by NCDOT! In fact, these plans come from consultants and many are unfuded. Jamie has always been responsive to the concerns of our Village. He has seniority in Raleigh and that’s important. If you’re dissatisfied just talk to Jamie – he’s always ready to listen.
Yes madam Nancy Fiorillo – Mayor of Pinehurst, I am sure Representative Boles will listen to the influential and rich people of the Pinehurst, where the money is. But not everyone here in Moore County has money and power. I don’t. Jamie Boles never responded to my massage and phone calls. Maybe he is responsive to the concerns of the rich people of the Pinehurst but what about us – the simple folk of the Moore County? What about people outside of the rich Pinehurst area?….he never responds. Byrd got my vote.
How is his seniority in Raleigh is important to me? Just another insider who did not do me any good. Time for him to go. We are all tired of the seniority, corruption, favoritism and such related things.
I always wonder about candidates who present themselves as “prblem solvers”. Whose problem does he want to solve? That of taxpayers who are overburdened or that of special interests who want more then they are getting? That of the solar and wind cabal who want more special favors and subsidies, or the struggling ratepayers and taxpayers who would have to pay for it? Or does he want to split the baby? A politician calling themselves a “problem solver” tells you absolutely nothing about them. It is a red flag as much as saying they “just want to give back”.
But Boles voted liberal on solar and wind special interest legislation and on repealing HB2, so maybe the other guy should at least be given a shot. He could not be any worse.