VOTE 2010: New Hanover Commission candidate Rick Catlin

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Election Day is a month away. Each Tuesday this month, we’ll begin a series of profiles on candidates in the some of the big races in our area.

The race for two spots on the New Hanover County Commission brings forward four candidates. One of those candidates is engineer and businessman Rick Catlin.

“I live here, and I want to make a difference,” Catlin said about why he is running for commissioner.

Catlin is a man of many titles: family man, owner of Catlin Engineers and Scientists. The candidate for New Hanover County Commission says being a public servant will be nothing new for him.

“I’ve been chairman of the Ports, Waterways and Beach Commission, which builds infrastructure for jobs and keeps our beaches sandy and our storm berms in place and our waterways open and our harbors viable,” Catlin said.

Catlin is also on the state Health Commission. The 30-year resident of New Hanover County says his time on these commissions gives him the right experience and mindset to tackle what he thinks are key issues for a better New Hanover County.

“I think that now is an important time to have leadership as we try to balance our economy, environment and our quality of life in this special place we live,” Catlin said.

In his spare time Catlin enjoys spending time with his wife Janice and their two grown children Jason and Kristi. Catlin says family is a major reason why he’s running for commissioner. If elected he hopes to leave the county a better place for those who will live here for years to come.

As for the race itself, Catlin says it’s going well. He hopes the positive pace will continue and help him win one of two open spots on the New Hanover County Commission

“It’s time that we’ve made it where business people are willing to take some time away from their daily activities and perform some community service as an elected official and not just politicians,” he said.

Coming up this week, we’ll profile the other candidates for New Hanover County Commission. Wednesday we’ll meet Deborah Butler.