Elections are over and the citizens of Carthage have chosen to keep Jimmy Chalflinch as Mayor.  Al Barber as well as I will also retain our positions as Carthage Commissioners!  I greatly appreciate the support that was provided and will continue to work for the benefit of our fine community with our well-balanced board.  I would also like to recognize the other candidates.  Elections can be difficult on an individual.  We are all still human after all.  An effort to move into the public eye always opens one to public scrutiny.  While I realize that we may differ on ways to solve Carthage’s issues I respect the other candidates for being willing to step up to the plate.  I am pleased with what Carthage has accomplished in the last four years and am eager to see how much more we can do in the next four years.  Thank you again for all your support!  -Dan 

 

About Dan Bonillo

 

Dan Bonillo was born in Bakersfield, CA, to a mechanic father and a nurse mother.

 

He is a first-generation American on his father’s side. His paternal side comes from French Algerian colonists who were mechanics, farmers, and legionnaires. After the collapse of the French colony in Algeria, his grandfather selected the United States as the next destination for his family based on his observations of the unity of the American military forces while he served with them during World War II. Dan’s mother’s side comes from Finnish-descent Oregon lumberjacks and Oklahoma Dustbowl-era farmers.

 

Dan spent his early life riding bicycles, camping, and playing in and around his father’s shop, as well as in the oil fields and refineries around his hometown. Dan also participated in Boy Scouts, Explorers, Marine Corps JROTC, and played on his high school football team.

 

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on his 18th birthday and shipped to boot camp three weeks later. After four years as a Marine, he enlisted in the US Army. He served more than 20 years of active duty service and completed multiple combat deployments between Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

Dan retired from the U.S. Army Special Forces in 2020 as a decorated soldier with multiple awards, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Dan was deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to retirement, Dan started serving his local community by volunteering with the Carthage Fire and Rescue Department, and in 2019, he was elected to serve as a Carthage Town Commissioner.

He is married to his high school sweetheart, Dolores, and they have four beautiful daughters. Dolores also runs four girl scout troops in Carthage and teaches canoeing, archery, axe throwing, volleyball, and volunteers at our local schools. Dan and Dolores run two local businesses and have at this point lived in the sandhills for most of their lives. They found through their travels that this is the best place to raise their family.

 

Why do I care so much for Carthage?

While I was still in the Army, my wife and I moved our family to Carthage to have a more wholesome environment to raise our daughters. During this time, the community showed their generosity by walking up to our front door to welcome us and offer our family their support, which never failed. 

I then realized that the community had helped my family, and in return I would help Carthage in the best way I knew how. Selfless service has always been my way of serving, so I joined the fire department as a volunteer to help those in the direst need of assistance. While I was helping those in emergency situations, I realized I also wanted to serve our whole community. By joining the town council, I learned that I am able to support those who serve our community, as well as the citizens and their necessities for the town of Carthage.  

 

Community Service:

  • Helped raise funds for handicap playground with the Ellie Jean Project.

  • Sponsored Moore County youth league sports teams.

  • Assisted Boy scout Eagle scout projects.

  • Assisted Girl scouts.

  • Raised funds for "Service Before Self" events for veterans and 1st responders.

  • Banded with other local business owners to save the Tyson Sinclair building, downtown.

  • Assists Civil Air Patrol.

 

What I Seek:

  • The ability to continue good work for the community and maintain continuity.

  • To bring in growth while maintaining the small-town feel.

  • To bring housing and business opportunities to our citizens.

  • To assist the school board in finding ways to better our schools.

  • To apply efficiency and innovative ideas to get taxpayers the most for their money.

 

Why do I want to run again?

I was graciously elected by the citizens of Carthage in 2019 and have worked hard to ensure that systems, funding, and services are flowing freely to our community. These actions have resulted in growth, so now I wish to run for re-election, as many paths that our town must take have been outlined but still require proper navigation. I know I will provide that with my re-election of town commissioner for Carthage.