seat on county commission

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

April 12, 2000 10 PM

Karen Berry is looking to finish what she’s started on the Pike County Commission.

"I would like to continue the work we started four years ago," said Berry, who is running for re-election to the District 6 seat on the commission.

The Henderson Community resident is proud of what she has accomplished during her first term.

One project she is working on now is ridding the county of litter.

"It is horrible," Berry said of the trash along Pike County roadways.

That is why Berry is working with court officials to see if it is feasible to have those serving community pick up trash.

Some of those roadways that are littered with trash have been resurfaced during the past four years and Berry wants to continue with those plans to work on roads in her district.

Work on Kings Mountain will be made possible through state money secured by Berry, as will other projects.

She said "taking care of the county roads" is one of her biggest concerns.

Another source of pride for Berry, who is special education coordinator for the Pike County Board of Education, is bringing the courthouse up to standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Berry is also glad the commission established E-911 and worked together to install early warning sirens in the county.

One thing employees have seen a difference is in their paychecks while Berry and her fellow commissioners have been in office.

"We made the salaries of our county employees comparable to surrounding counties to keep our excellent employees," Berry said.

The incumbent said during her four years in office, she has had an open door policy.

"I’ve answered my constituents concerns," Berry said. "If the people in District 6 need me, I’m there."

In what she hopes will be a second term, Berry wants to continue to bring business into the area. She would also like to continue efforts to revitalize downtown Troy like the commission did by moving the county board of education near the courthouse.

Berry and her husband, Craig, who is a farmer, have one son, Brent, who is a graduate of Troy State University.

While Berry is not working for the betterment of the county schools or the county as a whole, she serves as president of the American Association of University Women’s local chapter. She is also a supporter of the Henderson and Goshen Volunteer Fire Departments and a member of Henderson Baptist Church.