West announces run for Registrar of Deeds office
By Mike Rouse
Published in News on June 3, 2004 2:00 PM
Chris West says that he would bring his years of business experience and ability to work with the public to the office of Wayne County register of deeds if he is elected.
He says he has the organizational and communication skills to operate the office efficiently.
West has filed as a Republican to succeed Democrat John Chance, who was appointed to the job this year. Chance is running in the July primary against Lois J. Mooring, a deputy clerk of court.
West
Chance was named by the county Democratic Executive Committee to replace Democrat Debbie Lane, who resigned. West said his candidacy gives voters a clear choice.
In addition to his business experience, largely as assistant manager of Wilber's Barbecue, West has 21 years of experience as a researcher for land purchases and timber sales, working with register of deeds offices throughout eastern North Carolina.
West is married to the former Julie Ann Truesdale and they have two sons, Zachary, 8, and Noah, 6. The Wests live in the Belfast area. Mrs. West was a Southern High School teacher until this year, and in 2001 she was the Wayne County High School Teacher of the Year.
West said their priorities are moral values, education and community service. They are members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
West has been vice president of the Northeast Elementary School PTA. He is a member of the Belfast Volunteer Fire Department.
For several years he has been an organizer of an annual golf tournament to benefit crippled children. He is a member of the Wayne Masonic Lodge 112 and Goldsboro York Rite Bodies, Wayne Shrine Club and Sudan Temple.
West, a native of Wayne County, attended Southern Wayne High School and Wayne Community College.
He said he felt that Mrs. Lane and her predecessor, Margaret Peacock, had served well as registers of deeds. "It is my desire to continue that quality of work and leadership for the people of Wayne County," he said.