Curry County Commission candidates share views

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of Q&As featuring candidates in contested races for the June 4 primary. Early voting begins Tuesday at the county courthouse. In the Curry County Commission race for District 4, incumbent Seth Martin will face challenger Jamie Widner. Both are Republicans. No Democrats are running.

Seth Martin

Q: Why do you want another term as county commissioner?

A: As a commissioner, four more years would give the opportunity to see many of the projects through to the end and continue to serve Curry County in a fuller capacity with the prior years of experience.

Q: You’ve been a proponent of a county sports complex. Why is county government responsible for providing another entertainment venue?

A: The rumblings of a need for a sports complex have been around for several years, and being a father whose children were active in all sorts of athletics, I saw the need for a community-centered location firsthand.

The youth are our future, and there is no better investment to make than in supporting them. However, this type of project is large, complex, and hard for one group to take on.

The county took the lead on this to bring partners together to try to provide a complex for the youth of Curry County and its surrounding communities.

Along with the current upgrade to the fairgrounds and the new extension office, the county is investing in facilities to help encourage participation among our youths while helping them to compete at higher levels with these updated spaces.

Q: Is Lance Pyle doing a good job as county manager? Why or why not?

A: Lance Pyle is a dedicated county manager, that truly does what is in the best interest of Curry County.

Q: You feuded with other county commissioners and with the governor by refusing to wear a mask during the pandemic. Do you feel the division experienced during that time prevented county government from functioning as well as it should have?

A: Although a former commissioner and I did not see eye to eye on this issue, we never let it get in the way of performing our duties to Curry County.

Q: Any reason to believe your opponent would not do a good job as county commissioner?

A: I do not know Mr. Widner well enough to say one way or another. It is, however, good to see there are still those willing to serve their community.

Jamie Widner

Q: Are you running for the County Commission because you think you can do a better job than incumbent Seth Martin? Explain.

A: I certainly believe I can do a good job as a county commissioner, if given the opportunity.

I think Seth Matin is a good man. I just feel that Melrose and parts of District 4 have been underrepresented for a while and, if elected, I’m sure I can fill that void.

Mr. Martin has been a commissioner for almost seven years and because of County Commission rules, he is eligible to run again and could potentially serve 11 years.

Maybe it’s someone else’s turn.

Q: Talk about the prospect of a local sports complex. Why or why not?

A: I think this is a super idea and would really add to the quality of life for residents of Curry County.

The study that was done shows a need and desire for this complex. The concept is great, but how it is paid for and how it is run needs to be fully vetted before this comes to fruition.

Q: Is Lance Pyle doing a good job as county manager? Why or why not?

A: Yes, I believe Lance Pyle is doing a good job.

I believe he cares very deeply for all of Curry County.

Lance’s experience is second to none and he is highly thought of across the state.

Q: Melrose schools in 2015 settled a lawsuit for $500,000 after a 16-year-old student was sexually assaulted by a contract coach. As a government leader – you were superintendent at the time – what did you take from that incident that can be used if you’re elected county commissioner?

A: I learned that sometimes people are not who you thought they were and that some incidents are not as they appear.

What I know now is that the insurance carriers for governmental entities have full control over tort claims and settlements.

I can bring my experiences with this to the Commission.

Q: What skillset(s) do you have that makes you uniquely qualified to be a commissioner?

A: I believe I do have a unique skill set to bring to the Commission. Because of my past career (as a school superintendent), I think I understand the political process, the legal process and what it takes to be successful in the governmental process.

Therefore, I feel I would bring a unique perspective to the Commission.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Grant McGee