Meet the candidates: Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2Go Board of Commissioners

Four candidates are vying for three seats on the Brunswick Regional Water and Sewer H2Go Board of Commissioners.

Robert Cruse will be joined on the ballot by incumbents Bill Beer, Ronnie Jenkins, and Rodney McCoy.

Voters in Brunswick County have three options to cast a vote in this year's municipal election. Residents can vote before Election Day by mailing in an absentee vote or casting their vote during the One-Stop or Early Voting period, which begins Oct. 14 and ends Oct. 30.

Voters can also cast their ballots on Election Day, which is Nov. 2.

Editor's note: Candidates Bill Beer and Ronnie Jenkins did not submit responses. Rodney McCoy did not submit a photo.

Robert B. Cruse

• Age: 55
• Address: 1449 Bluff Drive NE, Leland, NC 28451
• Occupation: State of N.C. / Financial Investigator
• Family: Married, 33 years, one son and four grandchildren.
• Education: UNCW, Bachelor of Science degree – Accounting; Keller Graduate School of Management, Master of Business Administration - Accounting       
• Political affiliation: Republican

Rodney McCoy

• Age: 70
• Address: 10053 South Olde Towne Wynd, Belville, NC  28451
• Occupation: Retired, formerly, sales, service, and application of Industrial Pumps and Filters
• Family: Wife (Mercedes), daughters, two, (Stephanie, Ashley), four grandkids
• Education: BS Applied Physics, East Carolina University, 1973
• Political affiliation: this race is non-party

What are the biggest challenges the board faces and how would you approach them?

Cruse: I believe that one of the biggest challenges facing the board going forward is the ability to maintain a low and affordable rate for clean water and sewer. This blessed Nation of ours, including Brunswick County is going through a lot of changes due to COVID-19, included in these changes are labor and product shortages, which have led to many price increases. We all have noticed prices increasing all around us. I will work harder than anyone elected to this board to make sure that these costs are contained and not pass on as rate increases to our customers. 

McCoy: The North Brunswick area is growing at an exceptional rate. It is imperative that H2GO continues to plan, and implement the infrastructure to support this. In addition, we must finish the job of completing the new drinking water facility that will provide clean, safe, GENX Free water to the area without any increase in the water rate. This clean water plant will insure a reliable source of drinking water that will be safe, especially for school age kids, as well as other at risk groups.

With the utilities now combining, how do you repair the contentious relationship going forward?

Cruse: I will make it a priority of mine to work with Brunswick County and the towns and communities around us to better our relationship. In the past these relationships have been strained and not much has been done to improve these relationships. As a citizen of Brunswick County, I am supposed to be represented and treated fairly by my elected officials, including the officials of Brunswick County. As an elected official of H2GO, I would see it as my duty to work with our external partners and do everything in my power to provide the customers of H2GO the best products at the best price. 

McCoy: The relationship with the local municipalities has changed. Now, everyone understands that each entity needs to do what they do best. In the case of providing water and wastewater services, H2GO, by far can provide this service in a superior manner. This now allows the other partners to be able to focus on what they do best, and in turn make the whole area better for everyone.

Why are you the best candidate?

Cruse: ... With all my training in accounting, I have a solid background in finance and the ability to understand complex financial statements. As a law enforcement officer, trained in investing financial crimes, I have learned to review and evaluate and test all financial statements. This training will prove to be an asset, when looking at ways to reduce cost in the upcoming future. I have served on the Town of Sandy Creek board for almost 20 years. ... As mayor, I oversaw the installation of a regional sewer system for Sandy Creek with the Town of Northwest. This was a very important move to have this sewer system installed for the Town of Sandy Creek. I have also served over 31 years in the Army Reserves. I currently hold the rank as master sergeant with the 518th Sustainment Brigade in Knightdale, N.C. I have held all kinds of leadership positions in the Reserves to include acting 1SG. 

McCoy: I have been involved with trying to provide this area with clean, safe drinking water since the beginning. We are now so close, and I am ready to help finish the job.