10-03-08: New Hanover candidates debate Titan, drilling

The two candidates for New Hanover County’s seat on the N.C. Senate debated Thursday on live radio at WHQR 91.3 FM in downtown Wilmington. About 80 people, mostly supporters of Lee, packed the radio station studio to hear the candidates’ answers to questions asked in advance by voters.

Boseman, a Democrat, is seeking her third, two-year term on the Senate. Lee, her Republican challenger, hopes to return the seat to the GOP in the Nov. 4 election. Both candidates are attorneys practicing in Wilmington.

Asked how they would ensure gas prices return to an affordable rate, Boseman said the nation should consider drilling where an abundance of oil exists, but not off the coast of North Carolina.

“All of the research I’ve seen is there is very little oil out there,” she said.

Lee said the state should reduce the gas tax to closer to the national average, as well as exploring offshore for natural gas and oil. But, he said, it needs to be monitored closely from an environmental standpoint and any oil infrastructure shouldn’t be visible from the coast.

Boseman countered that if the state lowered the gas tax, it would have to look to local governments to pay for roads, and that could lead to property tax hikes.

Then Lee, in what became a common theme for him in this debate, connected Boseman with what he views as wasteful spending in Raleigh, on items such as a teapot museum and a zoo polar bear exhibit, and said that money should instead pay for the necessities.

“We’ve got to take care of the basics first – education, transportation, public safety,” Lee said.

Asked about incentives given by the New Hanover County commissioners to Titan America to build a cement plant, Lee said he is generally against incentives but that the state has laws and regulations to protect the public from harmful environmental impacts. He didn’t say whether he supports the incentives.

Boseman didn’t mince words.

“I am absolutely opposed to the incentives to Titan. …I think Titan is wrong for New Hanover County, for Castle Hayne.”

Asked for three things they would do to lower taxes, Lee said he would look at lowering corporate and individual tax rates and examine state spending.

Boseman suggested a hiring freeze, except for essential positions, including teachers, and cutting out state travel.

Both candidates said they wouldn’t support an all-out ban on cell phone use by drivers.

Patrick Gannon: 343-2328

patrick.gannon@starnewsonline.com