PENDER COUNTY — Two people have entered their names into the fray to take over former Pender County Commissioner Brad George’s term, set to expire by the end of the year.
Current school board member Beth Burns and current commissioner candidate Shayne Frey entered their resumes and letters of intent to the county Republican Party by its Aug. 10 deadline. George announced earlier this summer he would resign from his position, effective Aug. 1. Because the commissioner and former school board member was a registered Republican, the party chooses his replacement, with the appointment recommendation going to the board of commissioners to officially vote on.
State statute dictates the party makes the recommendation within 30 days of a vacancy. Applications opened Aug. 1 and the Pender County GOP’s Executive Committee will vote on Aug. 20 on its recommendation for the temporary appointment.
READ MORE: Pender County commissioner to resign, county party prepares temp replacement process
Burns has served on the Pender County School Board for nearly eight years, including as chair, and has had a career with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She also has been a chapter leader for the Autism Society of North Carolina – Pender County and represented family and consumer perspectives in behavioral health and disability services for Trillium Health.
A registered Republican since 1984 and Burgaw native, Burns wrote in her letter to the GOP she has brought conservative values to all leadership positions in Pender County, and gained experience in overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, evaluating contracts and helping establish policy.
“I am seeking appointment because I believe I can provide experienced, steady leadership during the remainder of this term and support fellow commissioners,” she wrote to the GOP. “My focus will be on listening to the citizens of District 1, protecting taxpayer dollars, supporting responsible growth and ensuring county government remains transparent and accountable.”
It’s unclear if Burns will need to step down from the school board should she secure the nomination; state statute indicates a person cannot be elected to two offices, but can hold one elected office and be appointed to another board. Because the interim commissioner is technically an appointment by the GOP, it may fall into the latter category. The Pender County Board of Elections said it was reaching out to the county attorney for clarification as well. Though county commissioners also control the school board budget, which could bring forth a conflict of interest.
Shayne Frey, who won the primary election against Joe Cina in District 1 earlier this year and is running against Democratic candidate Tim Zizack — a former Topsail Beach commissioner — this November, also threw his name into consideration. Frey is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and six-time combat helicopter pilot with more than 30 years of active-duty service.
He wrote in his letter to the GOP that being appointed to fulfill George’s term will “provide a crucial strategic advantage to to our party, allowing me a leg up and hit the ground running well ahead of the general election.”
Frey points to his leadership and professional background in global operations and fiscal management as important skills he would bring to the commissioner role. More so, he indicated strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities would be of value to the board.
Since retiring from the military, Frey has worked locally in Pender County coaching men’s basketball at Topsail High School and as a general manager and coach for the American Legion Post 167 baseball. He also serves as the youth umpire and commissioner for the Topsail Ball Club and works in Pender County Schools as an activity bus driver and ESS substitute teacher.
Both candidates will be given the opportunity to address the county’s GOP Executive Committee on Aug. 20 at Eggs Up Grill in Hampstead (36 Station Way) at 6 p.m. The Pender County GOP is holding its monthly meeting featuring keynote speaker and NC Labor Commissioner Luke Farley; the executive committee meeting follows immediately thereafter.
Only Pender County’s registered Republicans can attend the monlthy meeting, while executive committee members are the only ones who can vote on the commissioner appointment and must be present at 7:30 p.m. for credentialing.
- The party plans to submit its recommended replacement to Pender County commissioners on Aug. 21.
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