Navy landing field, economy are big issues in N.C. county race

Candidates for the Camden County Board of Commissioners name two main issues as priorities - stopping the proposed Navy airfield and attracting business and jobs.

In the South Mills district, incumbent Republican Mike Andrews and challenger Garry Meiggs, a Democrat, both say the top priority is to block an outlying landing field. Both live in parts of Camden that would be most affected by jet noise.

In the Courthouse district, Democrat Joey Coppersmith and Republican Michael McLain name economic development as the main issue. Incumbent Jeffrey Jennings is not seeking re-election.

The Navy announced in January that a site in Camden County, another in Gates County and three in Virginia would be studied to see which would be most suitable for an outlying landing field.

In February, Camden County commissioners, including Andrews, agreed to hire Raleigh law firm Poyner & Spruill to help oppose the airfield.

The site would affect at least 30,000 acres of farmland in Camden County.

An OLF would bring noise and other harmful effects with no benefit, Meiggs said.

"I feel like it would ruin our way of life," he said.

McLain and Coppersmith both put economic development and job attraction at the top of the list.

Last year, state Sen. Marc Basnight proposed an expansive business park in Camden County. In August, a group of experts from the University of North Carolina reported that a first phase could cost up to $60 million and could struggle to attract investors.

Both candidates propose a smaller, less costly business park. Businesses would come to Camden County in the right environment, McLain said.

Open farmland in northern Camden County close to Hampton Roads has been named the best place for a business park, but the area has no water, sewer, natural gas or rail lines.

Sandy Duckwall is running unopposed for one of of the board's two at-large seats.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com