Douglas Starr announced today that he will be a candidate for Nash County Commissioner for District 6.

In making the announcement Starr, a Republican, said, “I feel my 40 years of experience in the financial services industry gives me the background to help lead our county into a new era. Nash County needs to create new, better paying jobs for our citizens. We must operate the county on a sound financial basis, realizing we are just stewards of the taxpayers money. The recession we’re in and the jobs we lost are not going to be restored quickly and we need to manage future spending without increasing the burden on the taxpayers. Before the county budget is approved and before each dollar is spent, I would ask, ‘If it were my own money, would I spend it.’”

Starr is a graduate of Georgia Military Academy. He also attended the U.S. Air Force Academy and served in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics with a minor in economics from N.C. State University.

“When I came to Nash County in 1969, the economy was booming, industries were locating here and all our citizens were working together for the advancement of our area. Since that time we have witnessed the collapse of the textile industry, the loss of our two major North Carolina banks that were headquartered here, Planters National and Peoples, and then the subsequent sale of the surviving bank, Centura, to a Canadian bank. Likewise, our Rocky Mount born Hardees was sold to a company located in another state. These companies continue to be valued corporate citizens, but since they are no longer headquartered here, the higher paying jobs have been relocated,” he said.

Starr is a graduate of the executive program at University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill and the School of Banking of the South at LSU. He has been active in the community having served as vice chairman and on the board of directors of Planters National Bank and senior executive vice president and on board of directors of Centura Bank.

“The agriculture and tobacco influences have been greatly reduced as well as the railroad where Rocky Mount and Nash County had its roots. Lastly, the economic impact from the flood in 1999 left an incredible, devastating impact on our community, but it showed that our residents are strong and through our faith in the Lord and by supporting each other, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. All of these events have lead to the loss of good paying jobs, declining values in real estate, and higher unemployment. Our area needs to redefine itself, realizing these industries will not return. Many of our leaders have started this process and I commend them for their efforts but much more needs to be done,” he said.

Starr has served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club, American Red Cross and was a founding member of Hospice of Nash County as well as Junior Achievment. He has chaired Day for Wesleyan and is the past president of the Rocky Mount Kiwanis club. He is an active member of Sunset Avenue Baptist Church, where he chairs the Stewardship Committee.

“I believe economic development is our number one priority and through this development, an expanded tax base and more jobs. If elected, I pledge to work with the other County Commissioners, the County Manager and his staff and the Rocky Mount City Council to promote all of Nash County with emphasis on economic development,” said Starr.

Starr is currently employed at Wells Fargo Advisors where he serves as branch manager and currently as senior vice president and investment officer. Starr and his wife, Linda, have two children, Matt who lives in Wilmington, and Rachel who lives in Raleigh.

“Directly related to the lack of economic development in Nash County is the increasing crime rate which is partially attributable to the declining economy. It would be my platform to support the sheriff’s department and local police to implement a zero tolerance on crime. Three strikes are two too many. I would make myself available to all the residents of Nash County and would value their thoughts and recommendations. The scriptures say to whom much is given, much is expected and I feel Rocky Mount and Nash County have been good to me and my family. Accordingly, it is my desire to give back so our children can have the same opportunities that my family has enjoyed,” said Starr.