Jordan Davis Politics is about the whole county

from Eastern Living - May 2023

PARTING SHOTS T

Story by Vernon Fueston u Photos by Vernon Fueston & Contributed

Jordan Davis is what some people might call a “big fish in a little pond.”

Davis started his second term as one of Tyrrell County’s five at-large commissioners this January. A member of the county’s minority political party, he represents the state’s smallest county in terms of population, boasting only 3,245 residents.

Davis has deep roots in Tyrrell County. He operates a family farm that he owns with his father and sister and lives near Columbia with his wife, Carlie, and fiveyear-old daughter, Maggie. Davis said his family has lived in the immediate area for over two centuries.

Double Dee Farms has grown grains like soybeans, corn and wheat on their 2,700-acre farm for the last 60 years, but these days the big crop is potatoes, which he produces for chip manufacturers like Utz and Herr’s.

The farm seems big enough to occupy Davis’ time, so why would he do a crazy thing like run for office? He laughed when asked about that. He said it’s not for the money or the power. Tyrrell County holds little sway among North Carolina’s political elite, and commissioners are paid a mere $300 monthly.

Davis recalls first getting interested in politics as a 15-year-old during the turmoil of the 2000 Bush-Gore presidential election. He studied political science at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. But it wasn’t until much later that he accepted an appointment to the county’s Farm Services Board, his first taste of public service.

Next, Davis filed to run for an open Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners seat. That required a $38 filing fee and a mandatory class in campaign finance laws. As elections go, this one was an easy contest. His bid was unopposed.

Two years later, he ran against opponents with very different views for the first time. He said the campaign finance course could have been a better use of his time.

“I’ve always felt it’s better not to take any money from anybody in a place as small as our county. There’s no reason to anyway because you don’t do any big advertising,” he said.

That second campaign also taught Davis about the human side of politics. He said people had lost their ability to disagree agreeably.

“I think social media has made a significant negative difference in politics,” Davis said.

He experienced opposition for the first time, even from people he counted as friends. He resented that at first, but he learned from it.

“It took a while, but you learn that we all have an opinion. Just because somebody disagrees with you doesn’t mean they hate you,” Davis said.

Davis is a registered Republican, but he has a view of partisan politics many folks think has gone out of style.

“My opinion is that once somebody is elected, it doesn’t matter who voted for you and who didn’t. You’ve got to look out for everybody, and that’s the biggest thing,” he stressed. “You’ve got to try to compromise, number one, and number two, you’ve got to make sure you’re looking out for everybody at one time.”

Davis said he lets his Christian faith guide his principles, but recognizes that he represents many who don’t share his beliefs. He said the adage, “What would Jesus Do?” doesn’t give a concrete answer for every political and civic question. A good moral compass and common sense are also needed.

Davis said serving as a commissioner requires shouldering a lot of responsibility. There’s a constant battle to keep tax rates as low as possible. Property values are cheaper in the county than elsewhere in the region. That means lower tax collections per acre of land, so the county needs to collect higher tax rates or lower spending on what its citizens need.

The county has a high incidence of food insecurity, a measure of hunger among its citizens. The board recently took action to establish a food pantry in the county, a step that presented the commissioners with a hefty initial bill for a building and equipment. Though the money came from grants and not tax revenues, many questioned the expenditure.

A county like Tyrrell has priorities that other North Carolinians might find surprising.

Davis said that one of the most pressing needs has been maintaining drainage ditches. Most of the county sits just two to ten feet above sea level, so letting rainwater and tidal flood waters run back to the sound is essential.

Trees and shrubs clog drainage ditches, flooding farms and residential property. And then there are the beavers. The county runs a constant war against their dams and standing water.

Besides problems, Davis said he and the other commissioners must look to the county’s opportunities.

He said Tyrell County is blessed with plenty of waterfront property that could bring new, more affluent residents. Replacing the Alligator River bridge in Columbia has opened up opportunities to widen the county’s tax base by attracting new businesses.

Tourism is another opportunity for Tyrrell County. Hunters have long come to the county for black bears, but ecotourism has a bright future, also.

A visitors center for the red wolf wildlife preserve is one example of an eco-resource that the county can capitalize on. The county’s marshlands and waterways provide opportunities for fishermen and birdwatchers. Campers visit the nearby Pettigrew State Park, also.

Davis said he hoped citizens from around the region would take the opportunity to get involved with local government. He said the option is available to anyone.

The logical place to start is with local boards, he said.

Openings are frequently available for work on issues like schools, trees, conservation and tourism. He suggested that anyone interested contact officials in their town or county government.

But it’s essential to be realistic, Davis said. He suggested reading your town and county council meeting minutes as a great place to start. Asking yourself if the issues interest you is a good reality check.

And if you decide to run for public office, Davis suggested considering the cost of service in terms of the time you will be required to invest. He said he doubts he receives more than the minimum wage for the hours he puts in.

Vernon Fueston is a retired journalist who worked with the Bertie Ledger-Advance and Chowan Herald among others. He has written for Eastern North Carolina Living for many years.