Republican candidates Bill Caster and Brian Berger will debate on June 8th ahead of the June 22nd runoff election for a seat on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners. Caster has held the seat for 18 years but faces criticism for rising taxes, lack of spending controls, and being too influenced by special interests. Berger challenges Caster's conservative credentials and argues for change. The debate is being sponsored by the Volunteer Older Citizens Action League and will cover the issues in the race.

1. 4/27/2018 Caster vs. Berger: The Debate |
http://watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com/12091/caster-vs-berger-the-debate/ 2/11
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Cape Fear Watchdogs
Caster vs. Berger: The Debate
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 2:51 by Chris Mazzolini
Republican candidate Brian Berger has already asked Commissioner Bill Caster to step aside. Caster said no chance.
Now with a second primary for the final Republican nomination for New Hanover County commissioner set for June 22, the candidates with meet 10
a.m. June 8 to debate the issues.
The debate is scheduled to be held at the Senior Resource Center at the corner of South College Road and Shipyard Boulevard. The address is 2222 S.
College Rd.
The debate is being sponsored by a group called VOCAL, or Volunteer Older Citizens Action League.
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2. 4/27/2018 Caster vs. Berger: The Debate |
http://watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com/12091/caster-vs-berger-the-debate/ 3/11
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Comments
12 Comments
1. The Wilmington Watcher
Caster has been there 18 years, and in that time has brought us:
CFPUA – rife with problems, excessive expense, and lack of transparency
-Caster has voted for every bonus, salary increase, and incentive possible for the CFPUA CEO – who makes well over $100,000K a year to run
one of the most expensive and inefficient operations in the county, while its “customers” are unemployed and broke.
-Tax increases to pay for his brand of ever-expanding government
-ABC Board, County Manager’s office, Code Enforcement all with questionable operations – Caster no where to be found demanding
accountability
-Caster, a so-called Republican, has an 80% favorability rating among liberals; 20% among conservatives – it’s time for something different
after all of these years.
We can live in a county that operates within its means, that values the citizen, that watches our tax dollars, and that respects the taxpayer by
finally showing the old status quo the door, and electing people like Brian Berger.
June 2nd, 2010 4:33 pm
2. Dana Page Tea Party Conservative
I could not agree more. Caster has been feeding on my tax dollars for too long. He is not a conservative as he claims.
He arrived here from New Mexico to ruin the county. He needs to be put out to pasture.
Do not hold your breath. The Republicans in New Hanover County have supported Caster for too long.
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3. 4/27/2018 Caster vs. Berger: The Debate |
http://watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com/12091/caster-vs-berger-the-debate/ 4/11
Brain Berger seems like a decent sort who will open the county government to more dicussions as to waste and corruption. With a $250 million
budget the NHC budget has plenty to cut. For some reason Caster sees “no waste.”
Caster comes from the side of the federal ogvernment and sees things through the eyes of a retired federal employee.
The local retired union memebers, state and federal employees, and all other government supporters have supported Caster for 20 years.
I hope that support ends June 22, 2010!
June 2nd, 2010 6:13 pm
3. BJONES
It is Berger not Caster first- this newspaper is biased towards special interests that run ads. It is time for change -we can do better than
mediocrity and the politics of the past. Brian Berger is a chance for change for the better – it is a chance for a better future- we cant affotd
caster- we need Brian- vote for your future= vote for Brian Berger a true Republican. Dont let Caster buy this election= defear the special
interests =defeat Caster!
June 2nd, 2010 10:39 pm
4. bruce smythe
Brian Berger stands for something and for jobs for us all. caster stands for the past and special interets-and he is concerned with his job–his
sorry reord proves that. If experience was what counts- jimmy c arter would still be President. Caster neither deserves nor merits another term.
In saying NO TO CASTER–we should take a chance and say yes to Brian Berger. He has been consistent on the key issues for years. Like our
families he wants the County to live within our means-we no longer have a choice-Like DC- we here in this County have left it to special
interests and political hacks and let them buy influence and elections- It may be legal but doesn’t it hurt us all. Take back our County- vote for a
better future- No to caster–Yes TO BRIAN. Tell the speical inetrets and Bill they dont own this County any longer!!!!
June 3rd, 2010 12:04 pm
5. J. Estelle
Bill Caster’s dishonest, negative campaign ads are simply more evidence that he intends to buy his way into office for a 22 year stay in office,
abusing taxpayers and benefitting special interests.
Bill is a disgrace and dishonest politician, and Brian Berger is the opposite, a down to earth “real person” who has true conservative values,
honor and we need to elect Brian Berger, a Reagan Republican, and not Caster…a liberal liar.
June 4th, 2010 11:50 am
6. cloomis

4. 4/27/2018 Caster vs. Berger: The Debate |
http://watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com/12091/caster-vs-berger-the-debate/ 5/11
Caster the arrogant-when is enough enough. It is clear he has no shame. Those of us who have lived here know he has lied in past campaigns
and is lying again to get reelected. We have a choice more of the same-special interets, special deals with Bill caster-or a new direction with a
decent young man- Brian Berger. Brian is a real Republican and will stand for something. Bill Caster is out to line his pockets–what’s he done
for yours. It is tiem for change- Brian Berger on the 22nd—we need anybody but Caster. i will vote for Brian then and if the republicans give
me Caster- I will vote for change and go democratic in the Fall. Reject Caster and his negative campaigns and his arrgance
June 4th, 2010 1:35 pm
7. remanis
Caster is pathetic. He has talked out of both sides of his mouth for years. Now he goes negative-he must be desparate. Caster talking about
principles is like Clinton talking about morals. Caster Talking about expereience is like Jimmy Carter saying the same. Brian Berger is a break
from the lousy political hacks who have run this County for too long. They have bought influence and they have bought elections- do we want
more of the same. I hope not. Bill Caster is a pathetic old style politico-whose first reaction to a run-off was leaning on people for more money.
We need to do better= Brian Berger must prove he walks teh true true conservative road- but he is head and shoulders a better person for these
times.
Reject the arrogance of Caster-elect a real Reagan republican- Brian Berger
June 4th, 2010 4:24 pm
8. guest223
Yes to Brian Berger–No to Caster
Are we better off now than we were four years ago with Caster-NO
Are seniors better served with his policies-Clearly No
Are our taxes lower with Caster-NO-they are way up
Is spending under control-Not with Caster
Is Caster concerned with your job- No Caster is concerned only with his.We just need to look at the record.
IT IS A TIME FOR CHANGE-WE HAVE NO ONE TO BLAME BUT OURSELVES IF WE FAIL TO TURN OUT AND VOTE FOR BRIAN
BERGER
A COURAGEOUS AND TRUE REPUBLICAN.
Caster has lied in campaigns and in ads-dont be fooled again- say no to caster and no to special interests- Bill talking about experience is like
John Edwards kecturing on morals-if it wasnt so sad-it would be laughable-
Caster will lead us to defeat in November- Berger and Catlin have a chance to win!
June 7th, 2010 11:51 am
9. lbenjamin
Support Brian Berger- He will be a candidate that ALL voters can join to elect in November. Pelosi, Reid and caster are clear reasons why we
need term limits-some politicians lose site of protecting our interests because they are more concerned with special interests and their own.

5. 4/27/2018 Caster vs. Berger: The Debate |
http://watchdogs.blogs.starnewsonline.com/12091/caster-vs-berger-the-debate/ 6/11
Bill’s record and actions tell us he lies during the campaign- we need a change – we need an independent on the Commission- Brian has earned
our support. Help him by turning out on the 22nd= that we we help ourselves
June 7th, 2010 6:35 pm
10. guest2010
Lets vote for good government- lets vote for Brian Berger-his actions give me hope that maybe even republicans can give the County voters
decent candidate in November. Caster is arrogant and has lied to us over the last few campaigns. Our taxes are up, spending isnt challenged and
we have not attracted new business and jobs here. Caster has enriched himself and special inetersts-like developers and Titan–he may be getting
rich- we are paying for it. We need to send a message- caster and his cronies dont own this County and it isnt for sale. The waste mess has been
mishandled by an Agency Bill set up and controls- lets send him packing or we have no one to blame but ourselves- all republicans -old and
young-rich and poor–should demand more–Vote for Brian Berger– he will take an independent look at things–and do need that so very badly.
This is about our future–reject caster-choose Berger.
June 8th, 2010 10:45 am
11. guest111
CASTER WILL LEAD REPUBLICANS TO DEFEAT-HIS SORRY RECORD AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY ON ISSUES BECAME
VERY CLEAR AT DEBATE. HE SHOWED A LACK OF CHARACTER WITH TYPICAL SLEAZY DISTORTIONS BY CASTER ON HIS
RECORD AND CAMPAIGN ADS. THIS RUN-OFF WILL SHOW WHETHER SPECIAL INTERESTS LIKE TITAN CAN BUY AN
Election for a candidate like caster who has displayed poor judgment and questionable character for many years. GIVE ALL VOTERS A
CHOICE IN NOVEMBER-SUPPORT BRIAN BERGER -HE EARNED OUR VOTE WITH A GOOD STAND ON ISSUES-WE ALL CARE
ABOUT. CASTER IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER FOR OUR PARTY AND COUNTY IN NOVEMBER
June 9th, 2010 10:31 am
12. vets for berger
i respect courage and conviction-i have listened to Berger and caster and I also know caster’s record. There is no doubt Brian is a fiscal
conservative-whereas Caster has voted in the past for many tax increase-casters actions and not his words show he is a big and reckless spender
for which caster needs higher taxes.BERGER HAS SHOWN CONVICTION ON THE ISSUES AND COURAGE IN STANDING UP TO
CASTER’S THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF SPECIAL INTERESTS MONEY AND CASTER’S CAMPAIGN OF DECIT. HE HAS
EARNED MY RESPECT AND VOTE WITH HIS COURAGE AND HIS POSITIONS TO STOP TITAN AND HOLD THE LINE ON
TAXES.
June 20th, 2010 8:53 am
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