Friday's Internet Edition, May 09, 2008.
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Hosted by the Piedmont Crossing Residents Association, the debate lasted nearly an hour. Only Republicans participated in the debate because the lone Democrat, Rosa Terry, is uncontested for the nomination. Republican candidate Cathy Dunn was not in attendance due to a prior engagement.
There were mixed views among the candidates on whether Davidson County has a gang problem. Most of the candidates, however, agreed some gang problems are connected to illegal immigration.
“Our society is so intertwined together with illegal immigration and 52 percent of marriages end in divorce,” said incumbent Larry Potts, who currently serves as the commissioners chairman. “There are not two people to help that young man or girl when they are growing up. It seems like our moral fabric is disintegrating.”
Larry Allen, an incumbent, said his experience with serving on local boards in the county has made him believe that gang problems in Davidson County are not as bad as depicted on television.
“We do have what I call ‘copycat’ gang activity in this county,” Allen said. “They do commit crimes against seniors. As a county commissioner, I would like to see more preventive programs to reach out to our youth. We also need to develop a zero-tolerance policy toward gang activity. A lot of our gang activity is from illegal immigrants.”
Thomasville native Eddie Gallimore, in his first run for county commissioner, said there are some gangs, which are scattered in the community.
“The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, for the most part, is taking decent care of the gang problems in the county,” Gallimore said. “With the economic area we are in it is tough finding jobs. I know because I go to work every day. I do construction work and it is really tough with immigrants coming in.”
Of all the candidates, incumbent Fred McClure spoke more on gang activity, emphasizing there is gang activity in Davidson County.
“Davidson County is no different than any of the other counties anywhere in the United States,” McClure said. “If you don’t believe me, go down by the railroad tracks where all the furniture places are. You will see all the Sur 13 [gang graffiti].”
Presenting a strategy to detour young people from joining gangs, McClure said the government should invest on fighting illegal immigration on a local level. Additionally, he thinks reducing the dropout rate in the three Davidson County school systems would decrease gang activity.
“If you [graduate] people out of schools [they will be] productive people out of schools who can get a job,” he said. “You don’t have the inclination to join a gang that you would have if you dropped out of school and got a job.”
“We need to have zero-tolerance on gang members,” he continued. “My hat is off to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Lexington and Thomasville police. They are very active pursuing this gang problem.”
Kenny Moore, a former commissioner looking to make a return, agreed with Allen about those who act like they are gang members.
“I do think intervention at a early age would be a good measure to take rather than having to use our money in law enforcement later on,” Moore said. “We are often going overseas to other countries. We might want to see some more missionary work in our community.”
The Republican candidates will face off in a May 6 primary.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.