Guilford County Board of Commissioners - At-large
PAUL ELLEDGE
Libertarian
Current office: None.
Birth date: Jan. 28, 1978.
Birthplace: Greensboro.
Lives at: 308-C Ashland Dr., Greensboro.
Spouse: Unmarried.
Education: Northeast Guilford; UNCG, bachelor of arts in English, 2001.
Occupation: Plant technician, Procter & Gamble.
Political career: Has never held office.
Web site: www.elledge2008.com
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Elledge said he was instrumental in reviving the Guilford County Libertarian Party in his first term as chairman in 2005-06. Since then the party has held regular meetings and encouraged dormant members to become active. He is in his second one-year term as the county party chairman, and in his first two-year term on the Libertarian Party of North Carolina Executive Committee.
ON THE ISSUES
Taxation and spending: Stop increasing property tax rates and comb through the budget to find areas to save money.
Annexation: Stop annexations. Though Guilford County cannot annex, he opposes Greensboro's recent annexation.
Crime: Attack more crime, stop enforcing the victimless crimes such as drugs, in turn reducing the jail populations.
Eliminate corporate welfare: Whether in the form of a tax break or a tax rebate, don't give new taxpayer money to someone or a company.
TRIVIA
Elledge planned to be a writer after college. After graduating he took a job handling closed-captioning for television networks such as ESPN, PBS and USA. His favorite literature includes Shakespeare's early plays and modern American literature, particularly work from the Harlem Renaissance.
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PAUL GIBSON (i)
Democrat
Current office: At-large commissioner.
Birth date: May 28, 1946.
Birthplace: Greensboro.
Lives at: 3402 Cloverdale Dr., Greensboro.
Spouse: Wife, Jane Gibson.
Education: Greensboro Senior High School; Guilford College, bachelor of arts in political science.
Occupation: Self-employed textile apparel sales.
Political career: Guilford County commissioner, 1985-88 and 2004-current. Chairman in 2007, vice chairman in 2004.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Gibson was one of several commissioners pushing for the recently opened long-term substance abuse care facility. He also worked on the county's strategic planning process and budgeting for outcomes, which are part of several ways the county intends to save money and prepare for the future. Gibson also headed the jail construction advisory committee that steered major decisions on Guilford County's soon-to-be-built jail.
ON THE ISSUES
Equality: Treat all county residents equally, regardless of means or position.
Partnership: Work with other municipalities and people. Divisive politics should end.
Community: Each community member is valuable, and progress occurs when everyone benefits. Children deserve a quality education.
TRIVIA
Paul Gibson's father was the county sheriff from 1982 to 1986. ... Gibson was first elected as a commissioner in the 1980s but served one term, ending in 1988. He dropped from the board until 2004, when Gibson ran and won again. Gibson said he took time off to raise his daughters.
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JOHN PARKS (i)
Democrat
Current office: At-large commissioner.
Birth date: May 6, 1946.
Birthplace: Pinehurst.
Lives at: 3313 Colony Dr., Jamestown.
Spouse: Wife, Judy Parks.
Education: Aberdeen High School; East Carolina University, bachelor of science in history.
Occupation: Commercial real estate broker.
Political career: Guilford County commissioner at-large, 1992-2000, 2006-present; Guilford County school board, 1988-92 (vice chairman, 1989).
Web site: www.johnparks.org
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Advocated adding school resource officers and nurses. As a school board member, pushed to keep Southwest High School open as the school faced declining enrollment. Was one of the board members who recommended adding a middle school to the area. Parks is known for being one of the more reserved commissioners, unlikely to participate in the personal attacks that can plague board meetings.
ON THE ISSUES
Education: Provide greater educational opportunities for all students.
Economy: Strengthen economic development.
Services: Increase the efficiency in the delivery of services.
TRIVIA
The first 18 months of his term were tied up in a challenge by then-commissioner Trudy Wade, a Republican, who challenged Parks' 2004 victory. Under a state law, she maintained her seat during that time. When the N.C. Supreme Court refused her request for an appeal on how provisional ballots are counted, Parks was granted the seat.
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LARRY PROCTOR
Republican
Current office: None.
Birth date: April 22, 1947.
Birthplace: High Point.
Lives at: 4957 Friendly Farms Road, Greensboro.
Spouse: Wife, Sherry Proctor.
Education: Allen Jay High School; Northwest Missouri State University.
Occupation: Co-owner, Sedgefield Outdoor Equipment.
Political career: Guilford County Planning Board member since 2001; in his third consecutive term as chairman.
Web site: www.larryproctor.com
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Proctor says a focus on continuing education among board members, he believes, has helped add stability to the board. He also worked on Guilford County's comprehensive plan, approved in 2007 by the commissioners.
ON THE ISSUES
Honesty and accountability in government.
Smart growth and planned development.
Improve public safety and address gang problems.
TRIVIA
Despite undergoing heart surgery in South Carolina, Proctor in January 2007 was determined not to miss a meeting and made it back in time to vote, against the wishes of his wife. He has not missed a planning board meeting since joining the board.
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WENDELL SAWYER
Republican
Current office: None.
Birth date: Feb. 8, 1951.
Birthplace: Durham.
Lives at: 4005 Watauga Dr., Greensboro.
Spouse: Wife, Debbie Sawyer.
Education: Grimsley High School; High Point College; Law School at University of Arkansas, passed bar exam in 1980.
Occupation: Attorney.
Political career: N.C. Senate District 32, 1985-86.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
When elected to the state Senate, he was the youngest in the General Assembly. Lists being a father and a husband as his most important contribution. All six of his children have been home-schooled by his wife. Of the four that have graduated high school so far, each has gone to college. Operated a law practice for 28 years.
ON THE ISSUES
More transparency in government, he opposes commissioners meeting in groups of five or fewer.
Reducing property tax rate by checking expenses on a line-item basis.
TRIVIA
This is the first time that Sawyer has run for commissioner, though he has run for district attorney and lost. ... Sawyer's father, Thomas B. Sawyer, was a state senator in 1950-52 and a state representative in 1972-78. He also was the state deputy insurance director.
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Left to right: Paul Elledge, Paul Gibson, John Parks Larry Proctor and Wendell Sawyer
File photo / News & RecordTHE OFFICE
Duties
Represents all voters in all Guilford County districts for four-year term.
Participates in regular county commissioners meetings and as a member on county boards and commissions.
Makes appointments to county boards and commissions.
Participates with other commissioners to set annual county budget.
Term
Four years.
Salary
$20,700 annually.
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