E. Thomas Aiken Jr.: Folwell best choice

Thanks for highlighting Dale Folwell’s attention to detail in the Oct. 18 editorial “For state treasurer: Dan Blue III.” Folwell’s big picture vision and work experience in state government make him uniquely qualified to tackle the complex job of N.C. treasurer. His common-sense “tax and tag” legislation (paying car taxes and tag registration in one envelope), developed using detailed analysis, has resulted in counties and cities collecting an extra $200 million per year, including saving $6 million in postage. Thanks, Dale.

Folwell’s leadership at the Division of Employment Security resulted in significant cost savings and improvements. While leading this 700-employee agency, customer service for employers and claimants and turnaround time for claims hearings were improved. He also empowered employees to find waste and fraud, implementing their ideas to fix problems, thus boosting employee morale. On his watch the agency paid off a $2.7 billion debt to the federal government and created a $1 billion surplus.

Folwell will bring his passion and skills for making and saving money to the treasurer’s office. Throughout his career, he’s demonstrated the competence, good judgment and integrity needed in our treasurer’s office.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 9:24 AM with the headline "E. Thomas Aiken Jr.: Folwell best choice."