Vance Aydlett vows to be a keen listener if he's elected to the District 1 seat on the Currituck Board of Commissioners.

The Knotts Islander, a retired federal firefighter, said he believes listening is key to being an effective leader.

"I believe any leader should be a better listener than a talker," he said. "Commissioners are elected by the people to be available and responsive to the people. They should also do their business while listening to the community's desires."

Aydlett, a Republican, is running against Corolla radio consultant Keith Hill in the May 6th GOP primary. The winner will square off in the general election in November against the winner of the Democratic primary between longtime incumbent Ernie Bowden and Corolla resident Michael Alan Cherry.

If he's elected, Aydlett, 54, said he'd like to promote "an overall user friendly government," which recognizes that the county's primary customer is its citizens.

Aydlett said he would put a lot of credence in the recommendations of citizens groups that study issues affecting their neighborhoods. One such group that would get his ear is a northern Outer Banks organization currently evaluating issues such as traffic congestion.

He suggested that the current commissioner representing the county's northern Outer Banks, Bowden, has not always listened to what residents want.

"The sitting commissioner (Bowden) is trying to push a service district (for roads) that people up there don't want," Aydlett said, adding that he does not support a service district for Carova.

Aydlett said citizen input should also be a critical component of the commission's land-use decisions. He said the conflict between landowners' property rights and managed growth is not new.

He advocates the formation of a citizens group, with representatives from all corners of the county, to make ongoing recommendations to the commission about land-use issues. The group's mission would be to continuously review the county's land-use plan, adequate facilities ordinance, infrastructure capabilities and upgrade plans, Aydlett aid.

"I want the community to get involved with their government again, to feel like they have a say in what is going on," he said.

As a commissioner, Aydlett would also put a lot of stock in the advice of the county's revitalized Economic Development Board.

"I think that the Board of Commissioners should provide them with adequate guidelines and empower and entrust the board to do the job" of helping recruit business and industry to the county, he said.

He said the county sorely needs to diversify its economy to become less dependent on tourism.

"We're one major hurricane away from major economic (problems)," he said.

Aydlett said he also would strongly support education. The Board of Commissioners funds a portion of the school board's budget.

He said he has lived in Currituck County long enough to see times when the school board and county commission were on chilly terms, which is not productive.

"I fully support the school system, and I'm committed to providing necessary resources to give children the best education we can afford," he said.

Aydlett said he also would like the county to explore how to bring a community college campus to Currituck where people could earn an associate's degree. Currently, the closest community college campuses are in Elizabeth City and Manteo.

Because of the current economic downturn, revenues paid to government are declining, Aydlett said. As a result, commissioners really need to clamp down on spending.

"As a result (of the slow economy), the county is going to have less money for infrastructure and maintaining services," he said. "I think the Board of Commissioners needs to be very frugal in the near-term budget cycle, with limited funds spent on verifiable needs, and not just wants."