Lashley seeking re-election, newcomer Joyce joins race

Feb. 12--GRAHAM -- Alamance County Commissioner Bill Lashley announced Wednesday he is seeking re-election to serve another four-year term in a Republican race that got even more crowded on the third day of filing.

Barry Joyce, a Republican, filed to seek one of two four-year seats.

Lashley, 68, a Republican, was first elected to the Alamance County Board of Commissioners in 1996. He lost a bid for re-election in 2008, but was reappointed by the county Republican Party after Dan Ingle left to take a seat in the state House. Lashley won re-election in 2010. His current term expires this year.

In a news release, Lashley stated, "It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your Commissioner. I have worked hard for lower taxes. I am committed to keeping the tax rate as low as possible. I am proud that Alamance County has one of the lowest tax rates of surrounding counties."

Lashley is a native of Alamance County and a Williams High School graduate. He attended Alamance Community College and the University of Tennessee. Lashley retired from Lorillard Tobacco Co. and lives in Burlington.

Lashley has served on the Budget Committee, Recreation and Parks Committee, Area Mental Health Board, and Area Transportation Board and Personnel Committee.

"My focus has been to make county government more effective and efficient," Lashley said.

He is married to Peggy Chisholm, and together they have six children and six grandchildren in their family. Lashley is a member of First Baptist Church of Burlington.

Lashley decided to run after considering his health. He had surgery Sept. 16 at Duke University Medical Center for an aneurysm on his descending aorta, which runs from the heart down to the abdomen. Lashley was released from the hospital Sept. 22 and returned to home. He began attending the commissioners meetings again in October after a short absence.

Lashley has had heart issues in the past that doctors have addressed. In 2000, he had a heart valve replaced. His latest surgery removed an aneurysm, a blood-filled bulge in the aorta, which was first discovered in 2005.

Joyce, 61, of Burlington, is making his first bid for elected office.

Joyce is a retired insurance agent having worked last for Somers-Pardue Agency in Burlington. Joyce is married to Theresa Joyce, and together they have four children and four grandchildren. He graduated from Elon College in 1979 with a degree in business, and also served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1974. Joyce said he also worked at Alamance Community College as associate dean of continuing education for 10 years prior to entering the insurance business.

Joyce said he decided to run for county commissioner to provide leadership to a board that he believes is lacking when it comes to its working relations with the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education. Joyce also said he believes the county needs to do a better job at fostering an environment to create job growth for its residents.

Joyce said he wouldn't be a traditional politician if elected, and that he believed politics means being able to compromise with others. Joyce said he believes the county board's inability to compromise with some groups, including ABSS, has brought the county to a standstill at times.

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