Rich Nixon, candidate for Selma Town Council
Eight people are competing in the November election for two seats on the Selma Town Council.
Rich Nixon, a retired teacher and candidate for a North Carolina House seat in 2016, is running against former Council members Tommy Holmes and William Overby, and first-time candidates Monica Antes, Kayla Jentes-Sagester, Troy LaPlante, Bruce McKay, and Amy W. Whitley.
Early voting in the nonpartisan election begins Oct. 14 and runs through Oct. 30.
To find polling places and full details on early voting, visit johnstonnc.com/joconcelections or contact the Board of Elections at 919-989-5095 or elections@johnstonnc.com.
Name: Rich Nixon
Age: 66
Residence: 410 N. Pollock Street, Selma
Occupation: Retired teacher
Education: B.A, M.Ed. from N.C. State University
Political or civic experience: Candidate for NC House, 2016; Current member Selma Historical Properties Commission
Campaign website: N/A
What is Selma doing right, and wrong, on managing growth?
One thing that recent times has shown us is the irrelevance of labeling plans as “right” or “wrong.” Covid-19 has clearly demonstrated how unforeseen events and changing situations can quickly turn the “right” approach into the “wrong” approach. Selma has been working to attract new businesses, revitalize the business district while dealing with the challenges of aging streets and sidewalks. The effectiveness of these efforts will be determined by unpredictable future conditions. This is why it is crucial for the Town Council to be able to observe, assess and revise. As circumstances change, plans must change. The ability to do this is the key.
If elected, what would your two or three priorities be during your first year in office?
A priority must be to continue working to attract new growth and opportunities while maintaining Selma’s small-town feel. We can’t avoid the growth coming our way, but we shouldn’t sacrifice those things that make Selma the town that it is.
Of course infrastructure is a priority, but that is a priority no matter where you live. Big cities as well as small towns are dealing with infrastructure that is not only aging, but also was built for much smaller communities.
A third priority is to listen. The community must be heard and their input must be sought. As Lincoln reminded us, government is not only for the people, but is also composed of the people — the community — and it is operated by the community. All the people of Selma have to feel that there is a role for them as the town moves forward.
What unique skills or life experience would you bring to city governance?
During my 42 years in education I not only taught, but I also coached, and during my years in the classroom or on the playing field, one of the key skills was planning. But, just as important was the ability to observe, evaluate and revise those plans to conform to changes. Success depended on this ability, and it is one that was practiced each of those 42 years. In coaching, as we devised each week’s game plan, our goal in what we asked our players to do was to always put them in a position to succeed. This is what town government should do: adopt policies that put the community in a position to succeed.