The Daily Reflector - Dalton: Education Key in State

News Article

By Kristin Zachary

North Carolina is at a crossroads and rebuilding after the recession will require the "bubble up economy" approach championed by Democrats, the state's lieutenant governor said Saturday at a campaign appearance.

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said the government must equip businesses and people with the tools necessary to compete and succeed.

Dalton was hosted Saturday afternoon at the Pitt County Democratic Party campaign headquarters, where more than a dozen gathered to hear his message.

"This is the most important election I've seen during my lifetime," Dalton said. "It's not because I'm running but because of what is going on in North Carolina today.

"We've been a state of opportunity, but all of that is at risk," he said. He said Republican candidate Pat McCrory would move North Carolina backward.

The state has been placed between "a rock and a hard place," he said.

"If you look at the rock, and if you look at the hard place, they are engraved with the initials of George W. Bush," Dalton said.

The key to rebuilding is education, which has been attacked by budget cuts, tuition hikes and reduced financial aid, he said.

Dalton said 6,000 students who previously had received need-based financial aid did not receive that aid last year.

"Tuition went up and financial aid went down," he said. "That is a formula for disaster."

Dalton said students should be able to receive the best education they can regardless of financial status. In Pitt County, that is available through East Carolina University and Pitt Community College, he said.

Dalton said his opponent's push to shrink the community college system shows a lack of vision.

The lieutenant governor said he believes PCC is one of the best community colleges in the state.

At an earlier campaign stop, Dalton said he learned of a 45-year-old man who requested his daughter enroll at a community college to complete her high school diploma. The man also had not received his diploma, and the father-daughter duo graduated together last week.

The candidate for governor said he also is a large supporter of ECU and previously has worked closely with ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard regarding the university's dental school and family medicine center.

"We're focused on creating jobs now," Dalton said of his campaign. "We're aligning education efforts with job needs."

Dalton said his efforts in establishing the state's early college program has been nationally recognized. The program allows high school students to earn college credit.

"We need to keep the education system sound," he said. "I'm concerned about the depths of cuts we saw. Great jobs come from great schools."

Dalton said he is proud of Pitt County, its education system and its people, including the Rev. Sidney A. Locks Jr.

Locks recently retired as pastor of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church and was recognized Saturday and awarded the Old North State Award at the Greenville Convention Center for his service.

The award is presented to North Carolinians who have a record of at least 25 years of service to the state and their communities.

"He is just a wonderful individual," Dalton said of Locks. The retired pastor not only gave sermons but lived them, Dalton said. "He has been an inspiration to his Christian flock. He has given four decades of tremendous service."

Locks' efforts to help the community flourish are representative of a number of efforts countywide to equip citizens with the tools necessary for success.

"It's always great to be in Pitt County," Dalton said.

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