SMITHFIELD – Dr. Bennett Jones of Clayton has officially filed for the District 1 seat on the Johnston County Board of Commissioners. Dr. Jones was joined by family members and supporters at the Johnston County Board of Elections Office in Smithfield on Friday afternoon.
“I am excited about this venture as I seek to serve and support the residents and communities of Johnston County in a new capacity. As someone who has lived and worked in Johnston County for over 20 years, I am familiar with both the opportunities and the challenges we face as we continue our rapid growth. I believe my leadership experience, commitment to service, and desire to help others will guide me in making informed decisions in the best interest of Johnston citizens in the governing of our county.”
“I feel strongly that our schools, both the local school system and the community college, should have the resources and support needed to provide a safe learning environment. We should continue to promote workforce development activities across the county, bringing together business and industry with the education sector to promote various careers, especially those in specific trades. We must continue to invest in our emergency services and public safety departments to ensure we live in the safest communities possible. I believe that we need to promote strategic growth ideas, balancing the opportunities for economic development with the preservation of our agricultural resources, improving infrastructure, and utilizing smart planning decisions. Finally, I feel we should continue our strong financial practices while also seeking opportunities to recruit new business and industry into the county to increase the number of high-wage jobs in Johnston County.”
Dr. Jones currently serves as the Director of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program within the UNC System Office. Prior to his appointment to the state-level position in November 2022, Dr. Jones served as the principal at Clayton High School beginning in 2016. In total, Jones worked for 24 years as a public school teacher, coach, and school administrator, including the last 20 years in Johnston County at Clayton, South Johnston, and West Johnston High Schools. Dr. Jones earned his Educational Doctorate and Masters Degree in School Administration from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Exercise and Sport Science from East Carolina University.
Dr. Jones, age 49, a Republican, is a member and past master of Granite Masonic Lodge 191 in Clayton and is a member of the Sudan Shrine. Jones is also a member of the Clayton Rotary Club and previously served on the Town of Clayton Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Dr. Jones lives in Clayton with his wife Jennifer, his daughter Sydney who is a sophomore in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, and his son Carson who is a high school sophomore.
What a joke. Man does not understand laws and rules, only what he wants and how he can get it. This was his pattern of behavior as principal, at the expense of the town and school system.
All I hear him saying is throw more money at everything and it will be better. All the money in the world won’t solve the problems with the schools.
Why don’t you run then?
God why won’t this guy just go away. He already messed up Clayton High for years… so glad my kids are out of school. What a joke.
But what’s he going to do about the bullying at Clayton and Cleveland’s dominance in football?
The only thing this county truly needs is for the over priced cookie-cutter subdivisions to stop being built. THIS COUNTY IS CLOSED!!!!Save our lands, woods and wild life!
You have a serious case of outrage addiction.
You mad?
Thats a laugh his short reign was heavily scandal plagued