BENSON - Voters have plenty of choices in this year's town elections, with seven candidates competing for three seats on the board of commissioners and two seeking the mayor's seat.

In the mayoral race, incumbent William Massengill faces the predecessor he defeated in the 2007 election, Jerry McLamb. Incumbent commissioners Frederick Nelson, Doug Oglesby and Will Chandler face four challengers. Several incumbents said they hope all current board members are reelected, noting what they've accomplished over the past several years.

William Massengill

Running for: mayor.

Occupation: chief operating officer for Wake Health Services in Raleigh.

Address: 211 W. Main St.

Experience: mayor since 2007, commissioner from 2005-2007.

On hiring a new town manager: "I'm looking for somebody who definitely has good financial skills. Part of what we're going to be facing is how to manage tightly in the economy we're in." He said the new manager also must understand state regulations and be able to lead the recruitment of business and industry.

On condemned buildings: "This board has been very proactive about it. We would knock it down if owner would pay landfill fees."

On the town's image: "I think one of the best things we can do is be real positive about Benson." He said those with a negative attitude toward the town push away potential business.

On the town's "limited voting" system, in which voters can choose only one candidate for three at-large commissioner seats: Massengill's wants to follow recommendations the town received to study the town's election history to determine the system's impact. "We want to make sure what we do is fair."

On the new community park: "We're looking forward to doing a real state-of-the-art facility. It'll also be a tool that we can use to bring more people into the town."

Jerry McLamb

Running for: mayor.

Occupation: retired police, correction officer; owns Jay's Wash House.

Address: 805 W. Main St.

Experience: mayor from 2005-2007.

On growth: "It's been going the wrong direction, I believe. We're losing businesses every day. We need more industry for jobs, plus we need something to bring the tourists. I'm going after business in a way that hasn't been tried before." He said he wants commissioners to create an incentives package for businesses.

On drugs: "I'm going to see if I can't get rid of the drugs." He said commissioners need to better support the police department in its fight against drugs by giving officers the equipment and tools they need.

On the town's land-use plan: "We don't need it so strict and ironclad. We still need to look at it really carefully. We can do it right."

On the town's "limited voting" system: "There's two commissioners being put in office that the average citizens didn't vote for. I can't see where the racial dispute is."

Will Chandler

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: owner of Glam-O-Rama Cleaners in Dunn and Banner Investment in Benson.

Address: 103 Lake Shore Drive.

Experience: commissioner since 2005, volunteer firefighter, board member of Banner Fire District

On good growth vs. bad growth: "You need good solid things coming in that are going to make payroll taxes." Chandler said examples of bad growth include commissioners' decision several years ago to annex a store three miles outside of town. The town had to provide police protection, and the tax revenue didn't offset the cost.

On the town's land-use plan: "We took three months to put [it] together. You've got to grow in the right way. You've got to have the ordinances in place."

On why residents should reelect the current board: "The board that I'm working with right now is one of the strongest boards that have ever been." He said new board members would have a lot of catching up to do, and many of them don't regularly attend board meetings. But he noted that he would step down in 2013 if reelected, in order to allow for new leadership.

Robert Arnett

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: owner of Arnett Hydraulics in Benson.

Address: 102 W. Church St.

On growth: Arnett cautioned against short-term thinking on the part of commissioners. "I don't want us running down the wrong path of negative growth."

On the town's potential: "We could be the Dollywood or the Gatlinburg of the eastern seaboard. It takes new thinking and new ideas. I'm just full of new ideas. I'd like to take them to a higher level."

On the Benson Museum of Local History: Arnett said he supports the museum but wants to be cautious about increasing its funding. "I don't want it to blossom into this big beast that's going to be a draw on our budget."

On dealing with the recession: "We need to be light on our feet. We don't know where all these economic situations are going to have an effect on business."

Max Miller

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: owner of Benson Auto Supply.

Address: 504 S. Lincoln St.

Experience: planning board member for the past year, former Benson Chamber of Commerce board member.

On good growth vs. bad growth: "Nobody wants a big box to come in and kill downtown." He said he would welcome a national retail chain coming to town, but it would need to be "someone that seems to be a community player instead of a destroyer." He also wants to attract retirees to move to Benson, noting that they are likely to invest in local businesses.

On regulating development: "You have to have a plan. [But] you don't want to have them so strict that you're driving people away." He cited the Cleveland community as an example of why plans for development are needed.

On community involvement: "We'd love to see more people voice their concerns. We want to provide a town that the residents want."

Frederick Nelson

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: community services coordinator for RHA Health Services Inc. in Benson.

Address: 212 W. Brocklyn St.

Experience: commissioner since 1997.

On attracting business: Nelson said if the town works to attract and support small businesses, then larger businesses will follow. "If they could stick it out, I think we'll continue to grow in that vein. We certainly need to step up to the plate and offer incentives."

On condemned buildings: "That has been a sore spot for several of the town commissioners over the years. Within the last six months, I think we've seen some movement. The board is getting tougher on that."

On the town's finances: Nelson said he wants to maintain a healthy fund balance. "I, for one, realize that the citizenry of Benson are looking at us very closely to keep the town financially sound."

Carolyn Nordan

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: retired.

Address: 214 W. Hill St.

Experience: Benson town clerk for 38 years, former chairwoman of Benson Housing Authority board.

On growth: "I would like to see some shopping centers. Where in town can you go buy clothes? Some more restaurants would be nice." She noted that being at the crossroads of two major interstates provides opportunities for the town, but the lack of more than one exit is a problem.

On condemned buildings: "I would love to see some of this dilapidated stuff got rid of. A lot of times you can talk tothe property owners. Sometimes you have to go through the court. We've not ever done a lot of that."

Doug Oglesby

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: operations manager at Polymer Group Inc. in Benson.

Address: 207 W. Church St.

Experience: commissioner since 2007 (appointed), member of Johnston Community College Board of Trustees.

On growth: Oglesby stresses the importance of the town's land-use plan. "When you start to mix commercial, industrial and residential, you have to be very careful that it's going to fit well together."

On incentives for new business: "We have already put together an incentives package. We've had people tell us that this package would be an excellent model for other towns to follow."

On the town's "limited voting" system: Oglesby favors holding a public hearing on changing the system. "Nobody today, regardless of race, seems to like the system that we have."

Bobby Pearson

Running for: commissioner.

Occupation: founder/owner of Not Just Another Community Center, minister/evangelist.

Address: 316 W. Woodall St.

Experience: serves on county's gang task force.

On job training: Pearson wants to use empty buildings, such as the old Chevrolet dealership, to "bring trades back to the community" through job-training programs. He wants the town to set up apprenticeships.

On the Benson Museum of Local History: Pearson said the museum needs an energetic person to lead it. He thinks it could be as popular an attraction as the Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield.

On Mule Days: Pearson wants more proceeds from Mule Days going to local charities.

On why he's running: "I am actively involved in my community. All people, regardless of background, race or creed, deserve my full attention."