Michael McLain wants to lower the property tax burden on Camden residents while raising public debate on significant issues affecting their lives.

He said both would be his primary missions if elected to the Camden Board of Commissioners this fall.

Brett A. Clark/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Michael McLain, a candidate for the Courthouse Township seat in Camden County, is shown at his home in Camden, Tuesday.

"I would like to see us have lower real estate taxes," McLain said. "There are a lot of people in Camden who have a tough time paying real-estate property taxes. We have some of the highest property taxes in northeastern North Carolina."

McLain said he also favors "honest and open government, with participation from the public in the government."

For example, while he is strongly opposed to the Navy opening a pilot training field in Camden, he favors a public referendum on the issue to determine the community's sentiment.

The Navy is studying the Hales Lake site and four others for its suitability for an outlying landing field where pilots would practice touch-and-go landings and takeoffs.

"Not many people are for it, but people have a right to an open and fair discussion," McLain said of the proposed Navy OLF. "I believe people have a right to debate the issue."

McLain is one of two Republicans seeking the open Courthouse Township seat in next month's May 6th primary. Incumbent Jeff Jennings declined to seek a third term.

The winner of the GOP primary between McLain and Bob Albury will take on Democrat Joey Coppersmith in November's general election.

An accounting professor at Hampton University in Hampton, Va., McLain believes his number-crunching skills could be an asset to the job of commissioner.

"I think I have an excellent accounting and finance background, which Camden could use in their current business and financial decision-making," he said. "I'd bring a wealth of business experience and financial experience to the county."

McLain believes Camden has assets that could be attractive to economic development, if the county were only marketed better. He believes industry and business would generate sales and property taxes that could be used to offset the county's higher residential property taxes.

"I think Camden could attract good industry that would bring both jobs, and lower taxes, to the people of Camden," he said. "I have the business background to go out and recruit industry. ... Part of getting businesses to come to the county is being able to go out and speak with them, and tell them why they should come to Camden."

He said he disagrees with what he sees as a reluctance by several previous commissioners to encourage economic development.

"Some on previous commissions did not want to bring any industry to Camden," he said. "What we have now are just homes coming into Camden, and it's expensive to provide schools and other services."

He said the commission a few years ago missed out on an opportunity when it balked at waiving sales taxes for two years to entice a Food Lion grocery store to come to Camden.

"I think we need a Food Lion and other grocery stores to increase sale taxes," he said. "I would definitely think we truly need any sales tax base to help offset the high real estate taxes. Most people in Camden spend sales tax money in Elizabeth City."

McLain says his desire for more public participation in the county's decision-making process isn't new. It's something he also advocated two years ago when he ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on the Camden commission board.

At the time the county was being considered as the host site of a major privately owned landfill. The landfill proposal appears dead, however, now that the state legislature has passed a law that would not allow it.

"It's still my opinion that people have a right to an open, public debate," McLain said.

Michael McLain

Age: 53

Occupation: Professor of accounting, Hampton University, Hampton, Va.

Education: Bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte; master's degree, business administration, University of Central Missouri; doctorate in business administration from Nova Southeastern University

Political affiliation: Republican

Previous political offices/campaigns: Ran unsuccessfully two years ago for an at-large seat on county commission

Civic involvement: Community treasurer for the Camden Food Pantry; runs a volunteer income tax assistance program at Hampton University

Religion: Episcopalian

Family: Married, several children