The question is whose new ideas will prevail and whether the heavy competition in North Smithfield's District 3 will unseat longtime incumbent Vic Ogburn.

The newcomers to town politics -- Charles A. Williams and Travis Scott in District 3 and Tony Gupton and Perry Harris in District 2 -- have ideas for tackling some the perennial issues in Smithfield, such as downtown parking and the deer problem.

Gupton and Harris are seeking to fill the South Smithfield seat of Daniel Evans, who is running unopposed to succeed Mayor Norman Johnson.

Also running unopposed are Zach Crocker in West Smithfield's District 4 and incumbent Charles Williams in District 1 (he's unrelated to the Charles Williams in District 3). Crocker hopes to succeed retiring councilman Bill Phillips.

Below are profiles of the candidates in Smithfield's contested races.

District 2

Name: Tony Gupton

Occupation: vice president of government affairs for American Management Group in Greenville.

Address: 807 S. 1st St.

Experience: job involves creating economic development through public/private partnerships, also active with Special Olympics and Rotary Club.

On why he's running: "A lot of the residents don't feel like they're being listened to or heard. I can relate to and represent all the citizens of Smithfield."

On the bridge-replacement project: "I want to see the bridge repaired, the Jug open and no consequences for downtown traffic. I am adamantly against closing any business."

On downtown parking: Gupton wants to study the issue. "Traffic is good, but if people drive around too long, they won't stay. That's part of improving our entrances to the town." He said he wants increased signage to direct visitors downtown and help them find parking.

On downtown development: "I'd like to continue to emphasize the beautification of downtown and its unique retail offerings. An emphasis of mine is to keep residents of Smithfield from going out of town for entertainment and cultural offerings and attract visitors from out of town."

On the town's deer hunt: "I believe that the first and foremost thing that should be considered is safety." He said he supports allowing skilled, qualified hunters to shoot deer, and noted that the current police-led hunting program has not made a noticeable difference in the number of deer in South Smithfield.

On serving elderly and special-needs residents: Gupton wants the town to help people connect with the services available for their needs, and provide any needed services that aren't available.

Web site: www.tonygupton.com

Name: Perry Harris

Occupation: owner of Oxbay, which sells college merchandise, and JWM Collection, which sells seasonal decorations.

Address: 1205 Baker St.

Experience: involved with conservation groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation.

On crime: "I would like to be real involved with the neighborhood watch program." He wants to focus police resources on the high-crime areas of his district, namely those closest to South Bright Leaf Boulevard.

On streets: "We have some roads here in Smithfield that are in disrepair." He also wants to improve the appearance of roads leading in and out of town.

On development: Harris wants to widen South Bright Leaf Boulevard and East Market Street between downtown and the community college in order to attract development. "Businesses move to four-lane areas. There's an opportunity here in Smithfield for smaller industry."

On electric rates: Harris wants to consider any options to make the town's electric rates lower.

On the bridge project: Harris said the N.C. Department of Transportation should use incentives to get the project done faster.

On downtown parking: Harris wants to set the curb of East Market Street back a few feet for safer on-street parking and fewer knocked-off mirrors.

On the town's deer-hunt program: "The way the city has gone about it is piecemeal. The only answer is to give them a food source." While he doesn't oppose the hunt, he wants to create an open space with plants the deer can feed on so they don't go into gardens.

On the old town hall: "That issue needs to be pushed along," regardless of what action is taken. "I don't know why it's sat there for so long."

District 3

Name: Vic Ogburn

Occupation: owner of Johnston County Recycling.

Address: 409 N. 2nd St.

Experience: councilman since 1993.

On the town's budget: "The paramount issue is fiscal. We've got to watch our spending in these times with budget shortfalls. This year we were able to have a balanced budget."

On the bridge-replacement project: "I think our position should be that safety has got to be paramount." Ogburn said the N.C. Department of Transportation needs to complete the project in a way that's safe for everyone involved, and he also wants the agency to be cost-conscious. He did not take a position on whether to close the bridge during construction.

On downtown parking: Ogburn sees no need for any changes in the town's parking policies and available spaces, but wants to do something about those who ignore two-hour parking limits. "There needs to be an effort to keep cars turned over. I don't think we need to be harsh, but I think people do need to be reminded that they don't need to be abusing a privilege."

On the town's deer-hunt program: Ogburn said he doesn't see a need for any changes in the program. "I think we're doing enough."

On the old town hall: He said the town should continue to encourage the building's owners to market the property. "I think we're doing about all we can do. It's an asset to the community, and it needs to be utilized. Something good's going to happen."

On downtown development: Ogburn wants to continue the work of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corp. and its director, Chris Johnson. "Chris does a wonderful job. Smithfield is lucky that we do have an established downtown. We need to make it work."

Name: Travis Scott

Occupation: paramedic supervisor for Johnston County.

Address: 109 Parkway Drive

Experience: teaches EMS classes at Johnston Community College and Johnston Health.

On electric rates: Scott said he wants to explore getting out of the town's current electricity contract and using Progress Energy to get lower rates. "I really just think that we need to look at getting out of the power business."

On development regulations: He said he wants to make it easier for people to start new businesses. "I think it's important that we encourage people that want to start a business. Some people have completely walked away because they feel like they can't meet the requirements."

On communicating with residents: "Communications is one of those big areas we can improve on." In redesigning its Web site, the town should provide more up-to-date information, easier access to town officials and the ability to pay bills online, Scott said.

On downtown parking: Scott wants to explore creating a park-and-ride lot for people who work downtown, in order to free up parking for customers of downtown businesses. "I think it would encourage people to use downtown more."

On the town's deer-hunt program: "The deer population definitely is a problem -- it's not just South Smithfield."

Web site: www.travisscott.info

Name: Charles A. Williams

Occupation: assistant fire marshal for the City of Raleigh.

Address: 12 Bradford St.

Experience: former member of Smithfield fire and rescue departments, involved with Raleigh Development Services Committee.

On downtown parking: Williams wants to work with the county to increase the amount of parking available downtown, possibly by turning vacant property into new parking lots.

On downtown development: To bring people downtown, Williams wants to see more festivals, events and an anchor store. If funding is available, he wants to start a façade grant program to help businesses improve the look of buildings.

On crime: "Our police officers need to get into our neighborhoods to reduce in-home crime." He wants officers to spend less time patrolling major roads and writing parking tickets and more time on neighborhood streets. He also said he supports speeding enforcement, particularly on Booker Dairy Road.

On the town's deer-hunt program: "Our police officers should not be hunting. We should contract the hunting out to a private archery club to provide safe hunting." He said that deer are not a major problem in his district and hunting does not need to be expanded to North Smithfield.

On the bridge-replacement project: Williams wants to keep the bridge open during construction, while sparing the Little Brown Jug from demolition. He said keeping part of a road open during construction has worked well in Raleigh in the past.

On electric rates: Williams is concerned about high electricity rates, but doesn't want to break the town's contract. "I don't think that's feasible at all. We're too deep in the contract." Instead, he thinks the town should work with residents to decrease energy usage.