The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, November 2, 1996            TAG: 9611020347
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
                                            LENGTH:   44 lines

CLARENCE SKINNER: CANDIDATE IN THE DARE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RACE< DISTRICT 1 - ROANOKE ISLAND, MAINLAND

CLARENCE SKINNER

Democrat

Age: 64

Home: Roanoke Island

Occupation: Associate broker with Jim Perry and Co. in Kill Devil Hills.

Education: University of Nebraska, bachelor's degree, major - business, minor - political science, five years of professional training including electronics, navigation and electronic warfare.

Military: U.S. Air Force, retired major.

Membership: Dare County Technology Advisory Board, chairman; Dare County Control Group, Emergency Management, chairman; Board of Trustees, Pitt County Memorial Hospital; North Carolina Geographic Information System, coordinating council.

Family: Wife, Rose. Three children and five grandchildren.

One term incumbent Clarence Skinner was in the limelight frequently during hurricane season as chairman of the Dare County Control Group. The group sets policy during emergencies.

Skinner, vice-chairman of the Board of Commissioners, wants to pull together all of the long-range plans that the board has started. Well-planned development and growth, Skinner said, is one of the most difficult challenges the county faces.

``It's got to be a written plan, but it's got to be a plan of action. It will take some teamwork,'' he said.

Skinner, a Manteo native, advocates increased use of technology in the schools and county offices. He wants to continue to introduce computer technology where it will most often increase efficiency.

Addressing his opponents, who say that the all-Democrat board needs balance, Skinner said the commission members come from a cross-section of the community.

``There's certainly good common sense to have balance, but if ain't broke, don't fix it,'' Skinner said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

KEYWORDS: PROFILE CANDIDATE ELECTION by CNB