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Barbara J. Best is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina. She has lived in New Born since she was young. Barbara is married to Stephen H. Best. Together, they have four children, two grandsons, and one grand-daughter.

Barbara is a retired tax collector. She worked at the City of New Bern, where she served as Senior Tax Clerk and Interim Tax Collector.

New Bern races contested in 2025 election | News | newbernsj.com

Barbara is currently the alderman for New Bern's Fifth Ward. She was first elected in 2017.

As of July 31, 2025, Barbara J. Best did not have a website or any information online.

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Barbara J. Best

Barbara J. Best is from New Bern, North Carolina. She is married to Stephen H. Best of New Bern's Pleasant Hill Community. Together they have raised four children, Anthony, Nakeshia, Crystal, and Taylor. Alderman Best and Stephen proudly serve as loving grandparents to two grandsons, Alex and Christian, and one grand-daughter, Kayleigh.

Barbara is a retired tax collector. She worked at the City of New Bern, where she served as Senior Tax Clerk and Interim Tax Collector. She retired from the City of New Bern Tax Division in June 2014.

Barbara is currently the Alderman for New Bern's Fifth Ward. She was first elected in December 2017 and is currently serving her second term.

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Meet Manny Ruiz Candidate for New Bern Board of Aldermen Ward 5

Manny Ruiz is from New Bern. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Pensacola Christian College. He is a member of St. Barts Anglican and helps out with the Hispanic ministry at Calvary Baptist.

Manny is a high school teacher at New Bern Christian Academy, where he teaches history, economics, and government. He also freelances in media and communications for the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. He previously worked blue-collar warehouse jobs while attending college.

Manny Ruiz (New Bern Alderman Ward 5, North Carolina, candidate ...

Manny's campaign for New Bern Alderman, Ward 5 is his first entry into politics. 

Plans to use the federal "Opportunity Zone" designation to encourage businesses to start and relocate in New Bern.

Supports eliminating local regulations that restrict business growth.

Supports "bringing back local corner stores" to strengthen New Bern's "small town feel."

- Plans to use the federal "Opportunity Zone" designation to encourage businesses to start and relocate in New Bern.
- Supports eliminating local regulations that restrict business growth.
- Supports "bringing back local corner stores" to strengthen New Bern's "small town feel."

Plans to integrate existing neighborhoods with parks and city centers.

Plans to work with government entities to protect local landmarks and promote distinctive architectural styles in public buildings and spaces.

- Plans to integrate existing neighborhoods with parks and city centers.
- Plans to work with government entities to protect local landmarks and promote distinctive architectural styles in public buildings and spaces.

Supports streamlining rezoning policies to reduce costs and expedite development.

Supports working with the community to increase the supply of quality affordable housing.

- Supports streamlining rezoning policies to reduce costs and expedite development.
- Supports working with the community to increase the supply of quality affordable housing.

As of July 31, 2025, Manny Ruiz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to increase walking and biking connectivity around the city.

Plans to work with federal, state, and county governments to develop a safe and affordable 10-year plan for public transportation.

- Plans to increase walking and biking connectivity around the city.
- Plans to work with federal, state, and county governments to develop a safe and affordable 10-year plan for public transportation.

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Manny Ruiz

Manny is a high school teacher at New Bern Christian Academy, where he teaches history, economics, and government. He previously worked blue-collar warehouse jobs while attending college.

As of July 31, 2025, Manny Ruiz did not have a website or any information online.

New Bern Alderperson, Ward 5

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