Facing the voters: Laura Boggs Tharrington - Cleveland County Commissioner candidate

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

Laura Boggs Tharrington

Laura Boggs Tharrington has called Cleveland County home since 1980 when she took her first breath as a newborn. This is her home.

A 1998 graduate of Burns High School, she graduated from Gardner-Webb University and currently teaches at Crest High School.

She teaches business principles, which includes being trustworthy, preparedness, integrity and all the ethical principles. "That's something important to me, that I practice what I preach,” said Tharrington. “I'm going to bring those ethics that I teach to the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners."

"I know most of the county commissioners already, and I think it's important to have relationships on all levels, from the various municipalities in the county, to the school system, the state level, and have the right people in seats around the table to work on economic development to uplift the economic viability of our county  and our residents. I look forward to broadening relationships in the county and across the state."

She has been a teacher for 16 years, full-time. Tharrington previously taught at Burns high and Burns Middle, where she taught special needs and Occupational Course of Study at Burns.

Tharrington said that she likes helping people and making their life better. She is on the ‘Smile Committee’ at Crest high School. The purpose is to get teachers and students alike to smile, feel positive, and believe in themselves through bigger and meaningful smiling.

"It’s really rewarding to be part of the smile committee,” explained Tharrington. “We do at least two things a month for teachers, from special treats such as hot coffee and donuts, or catered lunches. We really try boosting the morale of students and staff."

“As head of the smile committee, I always look for the positive side of things, the glass half full,” she said.

Her father suffers from Alzheimer’s, a horrible disease that affects loved ones as much as the patient. This experience has caused her to face harsh realities head-on, a difficult disease that requires always planning for certain unexpected events, hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Tharrington said harsh realities are a constant issue when dealing with leadership roles, too, which go hand in hand of learning to face things head-on, regardless of the scenario, such as natural disasters, budgets and basically all county issues.  She said she constantly works with her students to handle problem solving skills and their future - this thinking also applies as well to the county's future.

"I think it’s important to have positive attitudes, people that can work well together, building up our county through economic development, supporting our amazing colleges, and our excellent Cleveland County Schools."

She really likes to build relationships and believes she is good at forming those bonds and connections. Supporting law enforcement and all first responders along with public health and social services because protecting children and vulnerable adults are some of the things that Tharrington said are important to her; all which are just some of the parts of working towards improving the quality of life for everyone in Cleveland County.

Tharrington said she really would like to see improvements that will keep Cleveland County high school and college graduates in Cleveland County after graduation.

"When I hear people say, 'I don't know if I want to live in Shelby the rest of my life,' it’s heartbreaking because I want all of our young people to have a financially prosperous future for themselves here in Cleveland County, and that comes from growth in industry, social setting and family-oriented places,” noted Tharrington. “In order to do that, we have to bring in quality, high-paying jobs with structures for advancement, and more entertainment that brings in more young families which compliments industry, and vice-versa." 

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Tharrington said she is savvy with money, being careful with her family budget which carries over in county budgets. She mentioned how she wants to go through the county budget to find ways to save money. She wants to look into jobs that haven't been filled and see if the county needs that position or not, and any program subscriptions the county has that aren't beneficial that could be cancelled.

"I also said that I will vote no to any tax increase,” she added. “Because that is a priority to the residents and it will not be an option. We cannot have any tax increases."

"I’m not a politician, I’m a public servant," Tharrington firmly noted. "I've spent my life helping people. First, as a special education teacher, then math and business and marketing classes through the career technical education (CTE) department; also, and most importantly, as a mom and a wife."

She isn't looking for personal gain but to be a voice for the people, "My decisions are guided by integrity, honesty, and what is truly best for everyone. As a public servant my responsibility is to listen to residents, understand their needs and make decisions that will benefit all the people I serve."

Tharrington said she is approachable, and enjoys being out in the community, "I want people to feel comfortable sharing their concerns with me. I always will work for what is best for the citizens of Cleveland County."

“Cleveland County has given me so much, from a wonderful childhood to a phenomenal college degree, to a church family, and given my husband and I a great place to live, and I truly want to give back to Cleveland County as your newest county commissioner."

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

The Shelby Independent.