LUMBERTON — When they go to the polls on Tuesday, Lumberton voters in Precincts 5 and 8 will find vigorously contested City Council races, while voters in Precincts 2 and 3 will find two uncontested incumbents on the ballot.
John “Big Wayne” Robinson, a local businessman, is unopposed in No. 1, and Burnis Wilkins, a retired law enforcement officer, is unopposed in No. 3. Wilkins has thrown his hat in the ring for the Robeson County Sheriff’s race, but has said he wants the council seat until he either loses the race of takes the sheriff’s seat.
Precinct 8 is not known for early voting, but Owen Thomas’ challenge to incumbent Erich Hackney has turned that tradition on its head. More than 300 voters have cast their ballots so far.
Thomas, 30, who has lived in Lumberton three years, has made a mark, working with civic clubs and nonprofit organizations. He is president of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library, the UNC Pembroke Alumni Association and the Humane Society.
The 2015 Robeson Kiwanian of the Year, Thomas is an advisor for the Kiwanis’ Key Club at Lumberton Senior High School and Circle K at UNCP. He is a member of the board of directors of the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce and Robeson County Home Builders Association. He is also a member of the Friends of the Robeson County Fair, Shrine Club and St Alban’s Masonic Lodge.
Thomas is an an insurance agent and an adjunct professor in UNCP’s School of Business. A four-year member of the football team, he has two degrees from UNCP, including a masters of Business Administration.
Public safety is his top issue.
“As a co-sponsor of re-establishing the Tanglewood Community Watch Committee, I will improve our safety by striving to create partnerships with Lumberton Police Chief Mike McNeill and his officers,” Thomas said. “In addition, I will host community events throughout District 8, so that families can get to know one another better.”
Children deserved a safe and enriching environment, Thomas believes, and he will, if elected, promote youth development.
“I will strive to upgrade our parks and community spaces, increase citywide activities, and I will seek out and provide mentorship programs,” he said.
Economic development is also important to Thomas.
“In order to improve economic opportunity, I will work diligently with our local, regional and statewide economic development authorities to increase business opportunities for all,” he said.
In an interview on Saturday, four-term Lumberton City Councilman Erich Hackney ripped into his Precinct 8 opponent as well as Lumberton Mayor Bruce Davis. He has “many disappointments” with the campaign so far.
“I am disappointed with the negativity of childish social media attacks,” Hackney said. “I am disappointed that my opponent has resorted to the pitiful tradition of hauling uninformed voters to the polls.
“I am disappointed that Mayor Davis has worked so hard for my opponent and against other candidates, seeking to further his personal and political agenda,” he said. “I am disappointed that Pembroke folks have funded my opponent’s campaign with more than $10,000 in an effort to benefit their companies here in Lumberton.”
The one thing about me is that I cannot be bought,” he also questioned Thomas’ character and judgment related several driving infractions, including two DWI’s.
“I am extremely concerned about my opponent’s character and judgment related to his alcohol problems over the last 10 years,” Hackney said. “… Is this the type of person we want in a leadership position?” I think not.”
As for his record on the City Council over the past 16 years, Hackney, who is an investigator for the Robeson County District Attorney’s office, said he has many accomplishments.
“We have reduced Lumberton’s debt load, while completing major improvements to our infrastructure,” he said. “We have made significant improvements to the downtown and to Pennington Athletic Complex.
“I am also proud of the coming new airport building, which will help Lumberton’s economic development,” Hackney said. During his time in office, Lumberton also built a new police station and City Hall.
Most importantly, Hackney said, “We have done this while providing quality service to our citizens without increasing the tax rate.”
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Hackney worked long days to assist in the rescue and care of Lumberton residents.
“I was personally moved by the overwhelming compassion and dedication of our citizens, with whom I worked from sun up to well past midnight every day for the first weeks after the storm,” he said.
“I am eager to continue working with the council toward the common goal of progressive growth,” he said.
In Precinct 5, challenger James Worley is predicting an Election Day surprise. Both Worley and incumbent John Cantey have been ever present at the polls during early voting while supervising hauling.
Worley is a real estate investor, and worked 21 years as the loss prevention manager at Kmart in Lumberton. He has also worked in insurance and as an instructor at Robeson Community College.
“The bottom line for me as an investor, I have a vision to incorporate changes to help the community, if I can get the collective help of the City Council,” Worley said. “My precinct and Lumberton need better jobs. I would like to create a platform for the community to learn how to run businesses, because the lack of education about business keeps us from building a base and getting people to pay taxes.”
As a result of damages from Hurricane Matthew, the part of Precinct 5 that is in South Lumberton is in very bad shape, Worley said.
“Depending on what street you are talking about, the southside is in bad shape,” he said. “Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they move back into their homes is what I want to see more of.
“People have worked so hard only to lose such a valuable family asset as a home,” Worley said.
Worley noted that his opponent’s home was the first to be rehabilitated after the flood, “but we were not able to find John Cantey after the flood,” he said. “He was nowhere to be found.
“These are the things that motivate me to run for City Council,” Worley said. “There was no one to turn to after the flood other than angry water.”
A 12-year councilman, Cantey is no stranger to campaigning after winning his first election as a write-in candidate. Except for military service, he has lived in Lumberton all his life and works as a property manager.
In an interview at the Board of Elections, Cantey said there is a great deal of progress to be proud of, and all of it happened without raising taxes, which, he said, are at “an all-time low.”
Cantey opposed the construction of the Northeast Park, he said, until Lumberton’s existing recreation sites were upgraded.
Precinct 5 is a crazy quilt of neighborhoods that includes parts of the downtown and South Lumberton and the central eastside. Cantey said his strategies for the diverse communities are targeted.
“South Lumberton is devastated, so I am working towards rebuilding and mitigation from future storms,” he said.
The central eastside is being inundated by refugees from flooding in and is facing public safety issues.
“We are putting up more lights, and clearing bushes and undergrowth,” he said.
In the downtown, Cantey supports historical preservation and revitalization efforts that will attract more people to the downtown.
“Precinct 5 is unique, and I have responded to more than 4,000 citizen contacts,” he said. “I know that because I keep a list of both issues and resolutions.
“Over the past 12 years, citizens have entrusted me with their concerns about crime, zoning, safety, recreation, community development and sanitation,” Cantey said. “I am asking them to trust me one more time. I will not let them down.”
The Robesonian was unable to contact Precinct 5 candidate Sammy Love.
The newspaper also did not not have photographs of Worley and Love.
