LUMBERTON — Among the candidates who will seek election during the Nov. 7 municipal elections, a noticeable absence is John McNeill, the mayor of Red Springs who has served that town in some elected capacity for more than four decades, including the last eight years as mayor.
McNeill said he wants to spend more time with family.
“After 42 years of serving the citizens of Red Springs I have made the extremely difficult decision to not run again for mayor,” said McNeill, a businessman who served as a commisioner for 34 years before becoming mayor. “Over the last eight years I committed an enormous amount of time to the job of mayor. Whenever it was felt that my presence was needed for our town I would always be there … .
“I have now felt that spending more time with my family and other endeavors could only occur if I do not run. Few know the number of times I canceled other engagements because I felt some meeting or other event requiring my presence was required. I did this because of my love and concern for the citizens of Red Springs. I now have seven grandkids that understandably have changed my priorities.”
Edward “Chub” Henderson, now a town commissioner, and Duron Burney are seeking to replace McNeill.
Eula McNeill will also leave after serving the town as a commissioner for more than two decades. The following seven are running for three seats on the town board: incumbent Murray McKeithan, and challengers Latora Ferguson, DeAndre “Kane” Gillispie, Neal Lea’kes, Elma Marie Patterson, Nekia Shaw and James Tew.
Residents in Lumber Bridge and Orrum will have to write in names as no one filed in either of those municipalities.
“That’s the way it happens every election,” said G.L. Pridgen, director of the Robeson County Board of Elections.
Following is a town-by-town rundown of the candidates.
— Fairmont: In the mayor’s race, incumbent Bobby “Charles” Townsend is running against incumbent Commissioner Charles Kemp, who served previously for eight years as mayor.
Five candidates have filed for three Board of Commissioners seats. They are incumbents Terry Evans and Monte McCallum, and Felicia McLean-Kesler, Sam Hunt and Stein Ellefson. Amelia McLean did not file for re-election.
— Lumberton: In Precinct 5, incumbent John Cantey Jr. is opposed by Sammie Love and James Worley, and in Precinct 8, incumbent Erich Hackney is opposed by Owen Thomas.
Incumbent John “Big Wayne” Robinson is unopposed in Precinct 2, and incumbent Burnis Wilkins is unopposed in Precinct 3.
— Marietta: Incumbent Mayor D. Justin Oliver is unopposed, and incumbents John F. Bare and Donna Stubbs are unopposed in their bids for re-election to the town board.
— Maxton: Incumbents Virgil Hutchinson and Donna Locklear and challenger Victor Womack are running for three Board of Commissioners seats. Incumbent Margaret Gilchrist did not file for re-election.
—Parkton: Incumbent Al McMillan is unopposed in his re-election as mayor.
Five candidates filed for five Board of Commissioners seats. Incumbents Robin Hill, Annette McColl, Nathaniel Solomon and Doris Underwood and challenger Tony McVickers are candidates. Wanda Matute did not file for re-election.
—Pembroke: Four candidates filed for two Town Council seats. Incumbents Channing Jones and Theresa Locklear are opposed by Allen Dial, a former councilman, and Joseph White.
— Rayhnam: Incumbent Deborah Arnette is unopposed for mayor. In the race for three Board of Commissioners seats, incumbents Kathleen Lindsey and Datry Hunt are seeking re-election, and Martha A. Watts has filed as a challenger. Martha W. Parker did not file for re-election.
— Rennert: Incumbent Mayor Elizabeth Locklear is unopposed. Incumbents Neal Locklear and Velenda Morgan are running unopposed for the two open Board of Commissioner seats.
— Rowland: Michelle Shooter is unopposed in the race for the mayor’s office. Jimmy Hampton resigned the seat earlier this year. Incumbents Paul Hunt Jr. and Marvin Shooter are unopposed in the race for two open Board of Commissioners.
— St. Pauls: Four Board of Commissioners seats are up for election.
In Precinct 2, incumbent Annie Stephens is opposed by Bernard Stewart, and in Precinct 4, incumbent McClure “Buck” Terry Jr. is opposed by Donna Powers.
In Precinct 1, Elbert Gibson Jr. is unopposed, and Deborah Inman is unopposed in Precinct 3.
