Bob Williams (Asheboro, North Carolina candidate, 2021)

Bob Williams (Democratic Party) ran for election to Asheboro City School Board in Asheboro, North Carolina on November 2, 2021.

Elections

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bob Williams completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less. I am a retired lawyer who graduated from Asheboro High School, High Point University and UNC-CH Law School. I have served many community groups as committee chair, officer or board member. At different times, these groups included Jaycees, Kiwanis, United Way, Boy Scouts, The Chamber of Commerce, the Administrative Board of First United Methodist Church of Asheboro, Randolph Senior Adults Association, Helpline suicide-prevention ministry, and the Deacon Board of First Baptist Church, Asheboro. I was also a Gideon. Those groups taught me to listen and serve well with others. If I become a school board member, I will seek God's guidance, seek the best human advice I can obtain, and lead with insight, vision and explanation. I seek to serve with prudence, temperance, fairness and humility. I recognize the Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, General Assembly, the State School Board. county commissioners and other school board members greatly influence school funding and governance. I promise to listen to parents, teachers, the Superintendent and other board members before deciding issues.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign.

• All children deserve access to high-quality educations that prepare them for real life and equips them with tools for success.
• Children should learn and grow socially, emotionally and intellectually. A strong public education system has been a core value in our country for centuries.
• Schools should provide safe environments for learning, well-trained and well paid teachers and principals.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I am personally passionate about helping every child to read, to think critically and to love our country, traditions and challenges for the future. We should especially help those children who are struggling or need a second chance. I think children are given too many federally-required or state-required tests.. Teachers should be allowed to teach, and children allowed to learn. Parents should be motivated to encourage and help their children. Increased funding is needed for our schools.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I worked summers and Christmas holidays at my father's tire dealership helping with bikes and sales. It was when I was in high school.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I remember the Cuban revolution and crisis while I was in high school, when, I was about 18 years of age.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? I admire our former Mayor Bob Reese, our former State Senator Russell G. Walker and a former minister, Charles White. Each one cared about individual people, did their best and kept their promises. Each was honest and devoted themselves to the public good. Each sought win/win situation to the benefit of our community.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of? I recognize the Governor, Superintendent of Public Instruction, General Assembly, the State School Board. county commissioners and other school board members greatly influence school funding and governance. The board must follow general statutes passed my the state and follow federal and state when spending funds from those sources. Sometimes there are also court holdings the board must follow.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system? Educating children affects now we, as a nation and a people, will succeed or not in our future. The schools affect everyone.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics? No.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Seek God's guidance, seek the best human advice one can obtain, and lead with insight, vision and explanation. Serve with prudence, temperance, fairness and humility. Be a good listener and seek the best for our children and grandchildren.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? The core responsibilities for someone elected to this office include setting policies, managing budgets, motivating employees, and being the community's voice in the operation of the local school system. We should encourage the Superintendent, principals, teachers and personnel to do the best job teaching the children possible. We must rely the administrators to perform the details.

What is your most recent career to date? private law practice

Is there any other professional experience you would like voters to know about? I formerly worked for Moser & Moser (a private law firm) and earlier for the Business and Financial Division of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

What organizations are you affiliated with? First Baptist Church, Asheboro

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am a good listener, logical, and have good concentration. I am an avid non-fiction reader. I co-operate well with others. In the past I have had many successful opportunities to speak, lead and communicate.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life? In elementary school I stuttered, had trouble learning to read, and was shy. With the help of God, good parents, and wonderful teachers, I was able to overcome those struggles; but was worth. It took years but, was worthwhile. It taught me to be humble, to be compassionate, and to "stick on task".

What is your favorite book? Why? The Bible i s my favorite book because it has history, biographies, prayers and God's revelations to men and women.

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See also

• North Carolina elections, 2021