BRUNSWICK COUNTY — 2024 is a presidential election year but also one that impacts numerous local boards — such as county commissioners and education districts in the tri-county region.
READ MORE: Here is who filed for the 2024 elections
Republican Eric Tammaru — current chairman of the North Brunswick Republican Club and a realtor and commercial inspector — is running for one of three seats on the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. He will face off against Republican incumbent Frank Williams in District 5 in the primary election, to take place March 5.
Tammaru’s stances on issues are discussed below. All answers are included in full; responses are edited only for grammar, spelling and clarity.
Port City Daily has compiled candidate questionnaires so voters can read up on contenders’ stances before heading to the polls. The paywall is dropped on profiles to help voters make informed decisions ahead of casting their ballots.
Voters will choose which candidates from their registered party they want to move forward in the formal election; those who are registered unaffiliated can choose which party’s primary they want to vote in. After the March 5 primaries, Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024; a valid photo ID will be needed to cast a ballot in both.
Anyone not registered to vote can partake in same-day registration, available throughout the early voting period, Feb. 15 – Mar. 2. Check here to see if your voter registration is active at your current address.
Early voting in Brunswick County takes place at five locations: the Cooperative Extension at the Government center (25 Referendum Dr. in Bolivia), Leland Cultural Arts Center (1212 Magnolia Village Way), Brunswick Center at Southport (1513 N. Howe St.), Brunswick Center at Shallotte (3620 Express Dr.) and Sunset Beach Community Center (200 Station Trail).
Early voting at the Cooperative Extension is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 15-16, 19-23, and 26-Mar. 1, and on Mar. 2, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The other locations are open: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 15-16, 19-23, 26-Mar. 1, and on Saturday, Feb. 17 and 24, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Mar. 2, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. The locations open one Sunday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Below is a breakdown of dates to expect ahead of the primary election:
- Jan. 19, 2024: County boards of elections begin mailing absentee ballots to eligible voters who submitted an absentee ballot request form.
- Feb. 9, 2024: Voter registration deadline (5 p.m.).*
- Feb. 15, 2024: In-person early voting begins.
- Feb. 27, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline (5 p.m.).*
- March 2, 2024: In-person early voting ends (3 p.m.).
- March 5, 2024: Primary Election Day.
- March 5, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline (7:30 p.m.).*
Tammaru’s questionnaire is below; all candidate’s opinions and statements are not a reflection of Port City Daily.
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Port City Daily (PCD): Tell us the reason you wanted to run for a commissioner seat.
Eric Tammaru (ET): Because our county is filled with establishment “Republicans” and not true conservatives. I am an “America First Conservative.”
PCD: What is the top priority you’re campaigning on and why?
ET: Common sense leadership, balanced growth, lowering taxes, America first!
PCD: What is the current board of commissioners getting right? Wrong?
ET: They have raised our taxes in a recessionary period, and are allowing development to run amok. They allowed unconstitutional lockdowns and mandates in the past three years. But Pat Sykes [ed. note: who is rerunning for District 3] has consistently voted conservatively.
PCD: What do you think of the current tax rates? How will you balance taxes with identifying funding for top-of-mind issues?
ET: Too high. I will cut taxes and balance the budget. Conservatism is all about cutting wasteful spending and letting people keep more of what they earn.
PCD: Should Brunswick County leaders be doing more to ensure residents are being provided PFAS-free water and Chemours is held accountable? What exactly?
ET: H2Go got it right. But if we keep allowing more development, this plant will not be able to keep pace with new residents. If infrastructure isn’t planned, then slow down all development.
PCD: The Northwest Water Treatment Plant’s low-pressure reverse osmosis facility has faced repeated delays, slowing residents’ access to clean drinking water. How would you ensure the timely completion of this project?
ET: Set deadlines that must be kept. Better planning. Hold people accountable.
PCD: Development is booming in Brunswick County — for example, more than 3,700 units cumulatively were proposed for the southern part of the county in November. How do you think officials should balance this unprecedented growth, while maintaining quality of life and upkeep of infrastructure, such as roads and particularly utilities, such as Brunswick County Public Utilities?
ET: There should be greater accountability for developers to pay for infrastructure- roads, schools, utilities, etc. If not, a moratorium. We will look like Myrtle Beach in five years if we do not act to balance the growth.
PCD: A North Carolina Board of Transportation official and WMPO member indicated state legislators would consider discretionary funding for the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge if local stakeholders at least considered a toll. Do you agree with this, and would you support a toll? Explain.
ET: The state does need to shoulder the replacement of that bridge. I disagree with using a roll system. We pay enough gas taxes that this should be covered.
PCD: Though Brunswick County commissioners pulled financial support for carrying the debt of a potential Leland baseball stadium, do you support it coming to the county? Explain.
ET: I do not support any public monies going to finance a stadium. If baseball is going to “bring jobs” and entertainment, it can be built by investors looking for a good ROI. If they can’t do it without our tax dollars, that’s a sign it won’t succeed. Most of the residents also do not want the additional traffic, noise, and other challenges (crime, etc.) it would bring.
PCD: Do you think the board of education is adequately funded? Where might it be lacking and how do you think the commissioners should address this shortage?
ET: Big question. Many challenges like the added stress new residents and the 20% increase in illegal aliens have brought to our schools. Who pays for that? Maybe DC should.
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