Politics

Jeff Gregory

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Q: Address: A: 1400 Mooresboro Road Shelby, NC 28150

Q: How long have you lived in North Carolina's 10th district? A: I am a native of District 10. I have lived in District 10 for 46 years.

Q: Family A: I am married to my high school sweetheart, Sonya McAbee Gregory, for 31 wonderful years. In 1982, after serving 4 years in the United States Air Force in Okinawa, Japan and Alamogordo, NM, I was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. We decided to come back home to Kings Mountain, NC and began our family. My wife Sonya is a homemaker, a former real estate agent and investor, and a former United States Postal Service clerk. We have two children. Our lovely daughter Stephanie, 26, is an aspiring actress, singer, and artist. Our son Jeffrey Michael, is a graduate of Appalachian State University, with a major in History and a minor in Physics. Jeffrey plans to join the United States Armed Forces next spring. We live on a small farm in the New House Community of upper Cleveland County, with our family pets, a horse, three dogs, four cats, and a miniature goat. As a family we have traveled to and lived in many parts of North Carolina. We have lived in Cleveland County, Rutherford County, Lincoln County, Mitchell County, and Transylvania County while I worked for the United States Postal Service as a Postmaster. Our family has also traveled to most every state in the union.

Q: Education: A: OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY- ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

WILLIAM F. BOLGER MNGMT. CENTER WASHINGTON, DC- MANAGEMENT POSTMASTERS S.T.S. AND TEAM BUILDING

USPS TRAINING DEV. DEPT. PEDC CHARLOTTE, NC- AM/PM ADMINISTRATION

CHARLOTTE GENERAL MAIL FACILITY CHARLOTTE, NC- Human Resources S.T.S. and Delivery S.T.S.

GASTONIA POST OFFICE GASTONIA, NC-204B Training and Route Inspections

Atlanta Raleigh Seminars/National Assoc. of Lettercarriers Atlanta,GA-Raleigh,NC- Contract Training, and Post Office Manuals

PIEDMONT AIRLINES CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA- Leadership Lead-man

COLLEGE OF THE AIR FORCE, Military Training Facilities Texas, Okinawa Japan, Holloman AFB, New Mexico- Psychology, Basic Military Training Course-6 weeks, Air Cargo Specialist Course-168 hrs., OJT Trainee Orientation Course-6 hrs., Noncommissioned Officer Course, Phase I NCO PME. Received Air Force Training Ribbon.

KINGS MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC- Graduated 1976- College preparatory classes, Algebra, Geometry, French, Gymnastics, World History, Drafting, English, Journalism, Welding, Bricklaying. Member of Kings Mtn. High School Baseball Team . Member of Kings Mtn. High School House of Representatives.

Q: Previous political experience: A: I have always been involved in politics, however, when I was employed by the federal government I was not able to run in a partisan election because of the Hatch Act. In the late 80's and early 90's I ran for Commissioner of Kings Mountain, NC. I am a former Vice-Chair for the Kings Mountain Moss Lake Authority. While being employed by the federal government for the past 30 years it has helped me understand the bureaucracy and the inner workings of the government and how the people should be governed. I will take this valuable experience to Washington DC and use it for the good of the people. The Government should be there to help the people, not rule over and suppress the people.

Q: Previous professional experience: A: I am a retired United States Postmaster with 30 years of government service to the people. My history as a United States Postmaster has shown that I managed small to large sized city post office businesses, efficiently, economically, and safely. During my years of service to the government and military it was my daily job to be a professional in applying decision making and problem analysis. In addition to these duties I was in charge of the financial records, and planning and scheduling of work for hundreds of employees. I was also responsible for providing for the safety and health of employees and the public. Each and every day I dealt with customer and community relations. As Postmaster I also addressed labor relations, equal employment opportunity, employee development and supervision.

Q: Community, Political and Religious organizations in which you are involved: A: Southern Baptist, Second Baptist Church Kings Mountain, NC, League of Postmasters, American Postal Workers

Q: Your campaign website address: A: www.jeffgregoryforcongress.com, facebook-Jeff Gregory for Congress

Q: Why are you running for congress? A: The office of Congressman for the 10th Congressional District is a very serious position. It is not a playground for people who just want a career in politics. I am running for the N.C. 10th Congressional Seat, because career politicians have been in control of our district for too long. Precious time and money has been wasted in Washington, while nothing was being accomplished for the people of the 10th District. The needs of our people of the 10th District have long been ignored, and very rudely disrespected by some of our past and present Congressmen. The people have suffered needlessly hoping for jobs to come to our area. The position of Congressman of the 10th District should be a seat of great humbleness toward the people. It should definitely have an open door policy that will listen to each and every person that needs help from his Congressman. I want the people to see that they can have a true representative that will actually do the job that they send them to do in Congress. I want to bring respect back to the title of "Congressman," so the people will trust and know that their wants and needs in their district are being addressed. I genuinely want to help everyone in District 10 receive true and honest representation. I want to see all of the people is this district have access to good paying stable jobs. I want to show the people of District 10 that they have the say so in how their Congressman performs in office. I want the people to know that they will have access to me when they need their Congressman's help.

Q: What are the greatest challenges facing people who live in North Carolina's 10th district and what would you do to address those challenges that would make voters choose you? A: The greatest challenges facing the people of District 10 is unemployment, affordable health care, education, illegal immigration, national debt. I pledge to the people of District 10 that I will do everything in my power to address each and every challenge. I will find the necessary elements to correct the issues that all of us are facing. I will listen to the people, and do what is crucial to their needs and wants.

Q: What are the first changes you would work to implement if you are elected? A: I will survey every avenue possible to bring new jobs to District 10. I will seek to reopen former industries in our district. I will pursue a tax cut for the hardworking taxpayers as well as the businesses. I will seek a surcharge on all goods distributed in this country, of any product that is made in a foreign country due to Nafta or Cafta. District 10 was the most affected due to Nafta and I will seek a tax break for any American business that distributed goods such as textiles, manufacturing, furniture or any other products made in the USA. This would level the playing field, and help restore and create new jobs in District 10. I believe that the present health care needs overhauling. However, it seems to me that both parties are playing politics and are not focusing on what's in the best interest of the people. I will seek the will of the people, of District 10, and their concerns for our area. As for my belief; I believe that the current health care reform package is unconstitutional and that the states have been forced into unwanted costs. Some of the changes that need to be addressed in the health care area are higher than normal costs and insurance greed. I also do not believe that the hardworking people of our country should be paying for the healthcare of illegal immigrants or foreigners who are not citizens of our country. Illegal immigration must be addressed. We have the laws and regulations already in effect to protect us from illegal immigration. We need to make sure that those who are charged with the duties of applying immigration laws are held accountable. Immigrants that are illegally here in this country should be appropriately returned to their own native country. Industry and businesses that break these laws must be monitored and or fined to prevent illegal employment.

Q: What prior experience do you have that best prepares you for this office? A: I have 30 years of government service. This experience gives me a unique understanding of what problems we are facing in District 10, and why we are facing them. It also gives me the knowledge of how to correct those problems. The government is there to help the people not rule over the people. I am a native of District 10. I am retired and can devote myself wholeheartedly to help the people. I was born and raised in District 10. I have lived or worked in nearly every county of the district. I have dealt with or am dealing with some of the very same issues that everyone in District 10 is dealing with. That is, dealing with surviving in very hard times. I am a decorated military veteran. I voluntarily served my country for 4 years in the United States Air Force, at home and abroad. My life experiences have taught me that if I put the people of District 10 first, and hold my duties as their elected Congressman to the highest degree, I can bring good paying jobs to District 10. I can help our educational programs that will effect our future generations. I can give my best to help my fellow man.

Q: What is the toughest criticism you think you will face in this election, and what is your response to that criticism? A: The toughest criticism that I know of right now is that some people think that you must use deep pockets of special interest monies to win this election. My platform is not built that way. I am not running for Congress for self interests. I am actually running for Congress to help my friends, neighbors, and everyone in District 10 receive the actual representation that is due them. Instead of just using cards, letters and the media, I am actually reaching out to people on a personal level, face to face on the street, in the grocery store, in District 10 local hometown businesses, anywhere that I can hear the real concerns of the people.

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