James Underwood

Posted

Candidate Biographical Information

Name: James (Jay) Monroe Underwood

Office you are running for: Commissioner at Large for Siler City

Current Home Address: 1101 N. Garden Ave.

Home telephone and/or Work Telephone: (919) 930-7613

Best daytime number: (919) 930-7613

Email: junderwood7613@gmail.com

Cell phone: (919) 930-7613

Date/place of birth: 02/13/1971 in Siler City

Current occupation: Recently retired from the Siler City Police Department after 29 years of service

Please outline your education and work history for us. Please include all job titles and responsibilities, any work recognition and professional references: I received my Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Davidson County Community College. I started with the Siler City Police Department on February 8th, 1993, as a Patrol Officer. I rose through the ranks as a Sergeant, Detective, Detective Sergeant, Detective Lieutenant and retired as the Major.

Family (names & ages, as of Election Day, of immediate family members): Amanda - Wife; Lauren Nicole, Brenna Kate, and Paige Elyse - Daughters

Party affiliation (if applicable): Unaffiliated (Conservative)

Current and previous elected offices held or sought & terms of service: 1st time running for Commissioner

Now that you’re seeking office…in 100 words or fewer.

Why are you seeking this office?: I was born and raised in Siler City and have served the community for many years. Since recently retiring from the Siler City Police Department, I am now looking to serve as Town Commissioner in order to continue working to improve my hometown.

What is your understanding of the responsibilities of the office you seek, and in 100 words or less, why do you believe you’re qualified to fill that role?: A commissioner has many obligations to the town they serve. They work as a group to enact policies, make changes or develop new ordinances that may benefit the town and the citizens, develop and balance the budget, and look for issues within the communities that need to be addressed. I have worked in Siler City for many years as a police officer. I have an understanding of the many different communities that make up our town and the people that I served. I retired from the police department as Major of Operations where I was part of the hiring process, carefully tried to budget the allocated funds for the department, worked alongside the officers and gave whatever support was needed. I’m not a politician, but my heart has always been with Siler City, and I want to continue to serve.

Give us three goals that are specific, measurable and attainable you would have if elected.:

1. Help find ways to bring our citizens together; all races and all cultures are important for growth.

2. Address safety concerns and to build safe communities.

3. Improve the town’s infrastructure, especially the water/waste water lines. The lines need to be assessed or replaced for future development to happen.

What are the biggest challenges in Siler City right now, and how would you address them?: I believe the biggest challenges in Siler City currently is trying to find ways to bring in additional industry, housing and finding ways to keep our communities safe and drug free. We need to look at why our youth leave this area in order to prosper and find ways to change that.

What’s your overall view of the role of municipal government? Is it fulfilling its mission at present? If not, what needs to change?: Municipal Government has a great purpose within each town by being the voice for the people in which it serves. I have attended countless board meetings in my role at the police department and have developed an understanding of how a Commissioner should benefit the community. No town board is perfect, but the constituents have elected the best candidates to come together and find ways to benefit the town and its residents. Everyone may not always leave happy, but the Commissioners must continue to fulfill their obligation to work together for the greater good of the community.

What differentiates you from the other candidates?: I am a lifelong citizen of Siler City. I was also a steward for the Town of Siler City for 29 years with the police department.

Biographical Facts

Favorite book: Bible

Book most recently read: “The Leadership Challenge”

Hobbies: Spending quality time with my family.

Church/civic involvement: Member of the 1st United Methodist Church.

Personal motto or one-line philosophy: Treat people the same way you want them to treat you.

Strongest childhood ambition: To become a law enforcement officer.

Most significant life goal you’ve accomplished: To see my daughters grow and become beautiful, brilliant, and independent young ladies.

Goal you haven’t accomplished yet: To see my girls find a career that they enjoy and is fulfilling for them.