Meet candidate for Moore County Commissioner, Curtis Self

Robbins, North Carolina native Curtis Self is running for Moore County Commissioner in District 3.

This is the first in a series of interviews for Moore County Commissioner candidates. Each candidate received the same invitation and questions. Responses are published individually.

Questions for Candidates Seeking the Office of County Commissioner

Question 1. Read the following and explain your support for oversight committees.

In city councils, school boards and county governments, developers, investors, and realtors hold offices, some with planning board members as relatives by blood or marriage, enabling nepotism and financial favor.

There is no oversight to prevent facilitating urban sprawl either through tweaking land use plans, by extending infrastructure that invites future development corridors, or by allowing developments “by right,” or by denying evidence in quasi-judicial hearings.

Administrative teams surrounding elected officials are their paid employees.

When citizens with security clearance volunteer on oversight committees (The three counties have bountiful military residents.), their statuses would relieve concerns about possible leaked information during real estate purchases, which are negotiated under general statutes during closed sessions.

Oversight committees working with governments would provide input without loyalty restraints because they would not be paid employees or compensated volunteers. They would keep records of the meetings for immediate public release after transactions to show who recommended purchasing compromised property or allowing industrial-zoned businesses into rural areas.

Elected boards form committees for many topics, but this application is a new idea, and people do not like change. But they do not like petroleum leaching into the groundwater and riding the aquifer for miles either. It does not seem like a difficult choice for boards claiming transparency.

Answer:

I am all about transparency, and I want to bring that to the board of commissioners.

It is essential for good government. I support ethical safeguards in land use and development decisions. I am open to strengthening public accountability if it is done legally and responsibly. I want to protect property rights, ensure we’re growing the right way, and do so while being transparent and maintaining the people’s trust.

Question 2: Public board discussions help the public learn alternative viewpoints and reveal new information, which may lead to a stronger solution than what was proposed as the only solution. When a dominant leader opposes differing viewpoints, communication ceases, and the opportunity for growth and transparency is squelched. How do you plan to negotiate with dominant board members to work for what is best for the citizens?

Answer:

Open discussion is an important part of good leadership. The public deserves to see a board that listens to different viewpoints and considers every option, not just the one that’s easiest or the loudest. If I’m elected, my goal is to create an environment where every member feels respected and where ideas can be discussed openly.

Not everyone is always going to agree, and when working with dominant personalities, my approach is simple: stay focused on the facts, stay calm, and always bring the conversation back to what is best for the citizens of Moore County. I’m not interested in winning arguments; I’m interested in finding the best solutions for our citizens.

If a board member strongly disagrees, I will work to understand why, ask questions, and look for common ground. Most of the time, we all want the same thing; we just have different ways of getting there. Transparency, patience, and definitely respectful communication can turn a tense moment into a productive one.

At the end of the day, I serve the people of Moore County, not myself, not special interests, and not any single board member. My commitment is to make sure every decision is made in the community’s best interest.

Question 3: What is your position on recent zoning decisions and land-use disputes, including those involving schools, subdivision expansion, and farmland conversion?

Answer:

Zoning and land-use decisions shape the future of Moore County, and they must be handled with transparency, careful planning, and respect for the people who live here. My position is simple: growth is coming, but it has to be the right kind of growth and done correctly that protects our schools, our communities, and our rural character.Schools should be placed where infrastructure can support them, and those decisions should always include real input from parents, teachers, and the neighborhoods affected. With subdivision expansion, I believe in responsible development, not rapid, uncoordinated growth.

New neighborhoods must come with the infrastructure to support them: roads, emergency services, water resources, and school capacity. Approving large developments without planning for those impacts only creates long-term problems for taxpayers and public safety. We can’t play catch-up to development; we need to get ahead of the game and make decisions that best protect and support our citizens.

When it comes to farmland conversion, I believe we have a responsibility to protect the land that has defined Moore County for generations. As the county continues to grow, we can’t save every acre, but we can protect key areas, for example in Northern Moore, where preserving farms and open land is a priority for many residents. I don’t support rezoning that allows major developments to be placed in the middle of areas surrounded by farmland. Some of this land needs to remain protected to preserve our rural character and way of life.

At the end of the day, my position is rooted in transparency and listening. The people who live in these communities deserve a voice in decisions that affect their daily lives. My commitment is to support smart, balanced growth that strengthens Moore County without losing what makes it special.

Question 4: Consider that Moore County relies on tourism to thrive. What types of businesses or industries should Moore County attract or avoid? Should the county hold Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) financially accountable for attracting businesses with potential environmental impacts, instead of paying them $220,000 each year?

Answer:

We should welcome businesses that protect our quality of life, safeguard our natural resources, and support both residents and visitors. Industries such as hospitality, recreation, small retail, local dining, agritourism, healthcare, and technology are strong fits because they create jobs without overwhelming our infrastructure or harming our rural character.

Robbins, Aberdeen, and Southern Pines all have designated industrial zoning, and those businesses play an important role in job creation and economic strength. However, we must be mindful of environmental impacts and the strain certain industries can place on our natural resources. Growth is necessary, but it must be smart, sustainable, and respectful of what makes Moore County special.

We also need to better support locally owned small businesses, which are the backbone of communities like Robbins, Vass, Carthage, and West End that are not heavily driven by tourism. Tourism remains a major part of our economy, but growth decisions should always balance economic opportunity with the needs of residents, infrastructure, and rural areas. Each project should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. My goal is not to stop growth, but to ensure the growth we welcome truly strengthens our economy while protecting the community we all care about.

Question 5: Do you support the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority grant programs and

similar incentives? Why or why not?

Answer:

The state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority grant programs, like many incentive programs, can be valuable tools when they’re used responsibly. They can help rural counties access funding for projects that might otherwise be out of reach, and they can support infrastructure improvements that benefit both residents and local businesses.

At the same time, I believe every incentive should be evaluated carefully. It’s important to make sure that any grant or program truly aligns with the needs of Moore County and provides a clear benefit to taxpayers.

Dec. 9, 2025

Stephanie M. Sellers

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