THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605050045
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 121 lines
Three Democratic candidates are battling for the chance to face Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. in the race for the sprawling 3rd Congressional District.
Voters on Tuesday will choose either environmental consultant Sheppard N. Moore of Topsail Beach, former Superior Court Judge Gary Trawick of Burgaw or Atlantic Beach businessman George Parrott for the Democratic nomination for the seat.
Jones, the son of longtime Rep. Walter B. Jones Sr., is seeking his second term. He faces no GOP opposition.
All three Democratic candidates say they will stick to the issues.
``We're all in agreement that we need to balance the federal budget,'' Trawick said. ``The current budget that was just passed would balance the budget if it weren't for the interest on the current debt.''
Trawick said that while a number of cuts can be made in the budget, Social Security, Medicare and student loans are off limits.
``It's a matter of priorities,'' Trawick said. ``We owe it to our elderly to provide them a safety net. We also need to continue student loans. If we don't, we'll have a class of young people who are not prepared to compete in the job market.''
Trawick said cuts in government spending could be made by reducing bureaucracy.
``Our military pays twice what the private sector pays for an aircraft because of all the red tape,'' Trawick said. ``I support a strong defense, but I think the military needs to examine how it spends its money. We need to keep our military well-trained and well-equipped, but we can look at our spending.''
Trawick blamed the GOP for the budget deficit.
``I find it amazing that the Republicans and Congressman Jones talk about fiscal responsibility, when the budget deficit skyrocketed during the Reagan-Bush years,'' Trawick said. ``That's just hypocrisy.''
Trawick, like all of the candidates, criticized the Clinton administration's attacks on the tobacco industry. The 3rd District is in the heart of tobacco farm country.
``I am going to vote in favor of any legislation that's favorable to tobacco farmers,'' said Trawick. ``That's different than the tobacco companies who allegedly increase nicotine to make cigarettes addictive. But tobacco has always been addictive. My Mom told me it was when I was 12.''
Trawick said that he favors using jetties to keep Oregon Inlet open, if it can be shown that there will be no environmental damage.
``That inlet affects a large number of people,'' he said. ``We should keep it open.''
Moore, 63, is dissatisfied with the way Congress is doing business.
``I decided to run for Congress because I think our leaders are more concerned with making the other side look bad than doing what's best for the country,'' he said. ``If I'm elected, I would support the idea that if we have another budget deadlock, members of Congress would not be paid until a budget is passed.''
He added, ``I think the balanced budget amendment is something to discuss. But I don't think it's needed. Balancing the budget is something that should be done anyway.''
Moore said he is committed to a clean environment. However, he said all decisions, such as the construction of the Oregon Inlet jetties, should be based on ``good science.''
``The environment goes hand-in-hand with economic growth,'' Moore said. ``We can create our future by involving state and local government in the regulatory process.''
Moore favors a 90-cent increase in the minimum wage.
``People simply cannot live on $4.25 an hour,'' Moore said. ``If you have two people in a family working, they should be able to live above the poverty level.''
Moore dismisses criticism of the tobacco industry.
``I was raised on a farm, and I'm concerned that we don't do enough for farm families,'' he said. ``As far as tobacco is concerned, there are other products that are addictive that are not regulated by the federal government.''
Moore said he is the best candidate to face Jones in November.
``I think I have a broader base of experience,'' he said. ``I think I represent the conservative values of North Carolina. I'm for a strong defense, but I also believe we have to provide a safety net for the people who need it.''
Parrott, 39, contends he is the best candidate to face the incumbent Jones.
A former aide to the congressman, Parrott split with Jones after Jones switched parties. The two have also battled in court in a dispute over a loan. However, Parrott says retribution is not his motive in running for Jones' seat.
``The reason I'm running is because I don't like the way things are being done in Washington,'' Parrott said. ``First, I'm concerned about what the Republicans have done to the environment, and about their attempts to cut back Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. It bothers me that Walter Jones and the Republicans want to give tax breaks to the richest Americans, while trying to hurt elderly Americans.''
Parrott said any budget reductions should include provisions to keep hands off Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.
``Social Security is not an entitlement,'' Parrott said. ``It's something that we're taxed on, and it's something that working people have a right to. And people who receive Medicare and Medicaid should be treated the same as people who carry private insurance. There are three areas that should be a priority: Education, heath care and the environment.''
Reducing fraud would go a long way toward reducing the deficit, Parrott said.
``If anyone who received a government contract was made aware that they would get stiff fines and or prison terms if they defrauded the government, that would put an end to a lot of the waste,'' Parrott said.
Parrott also advocates a national policy on immigration.
``It's not a major problem here in North Carolina,'' he said. ``But. . . . we have to do something to stop that to protect Americans who are here legally'' in other parts of the country.
Parrott said if he wins the Democratic nomination, a race against Jones would be more issue-oriented.
``If I were the candidate, I know things about Walter Jones that he wouldn't want made public,'' Parrott said. ``He wouldn't run a mud-slinging campaign, and we could talk about issues.''
KEYWORDS: ELECTION NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE
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