Three Rockingham City Council members joined the city’s mayor in filing for re-election, along with the mayor of Hamlet and a newcomer to the political arena in Ellerbe.
Monday marked the first day candidates could file for municipal elections to be held in November. The filing period extends until noon on July 17.
Daily Journal reporter Olivia Webb was the only challenger to file on the first day. She declared her intentions to run for the seat held by Ellerbe Mayor Lynn McCaskill.
She said her experience at the Daily Journal contributed to her decision to run.
“Covering the Town of Ellerbe as a reporter made me want to get more involved,” Webb said. “There are a lot of exciting opportunities coming our way, and I hope I have the chance to help out.”
This announcement was coupled with news Webb will be leaving the newspaper to pursue career and public service opportunities.
Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin was one of the first to file for re-election Monday morning.
McLaurin is known to the voters of Rockingham. He is a native and has held the post since 1997. This would be his seventh consecutive term.
He and his wife Donna have three children and he is an active member, church treasurer and Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church of Rockingham. He is also the president of Swink-Quality Oil and Gas Company.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Rockingham as mayor,” McLaurin said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as mayor. Despite these difficult economic times, Rockingham is moving forward with positive plans to improve the services and quality of life of its citizens. I am looking forward to continuing to work the city council and the outstanding staff of city employees.”
Joining McLaurin in filing for re-election in Rockingham Monday were city council members Steve Morris, Shirley Fuller and John Hutchinson. They are the incumbents to the three seats up for grabs in the upcoming election.
“I think at this point we have a good team of people, not only on the council but also with the city’s staff, and I just want to continue to move ahead with the projects that we have underway,” Hutchinson said.
He was first appointed to the council in July 2005 after the late Ralph Gandy passed away and left his seat vacant. He was then elected to a four-year term in November 2005.
A member of First United Methodist in Rockingham, Hutchinson is the father of an infant son with his wife Sharon.
Councilman Steve Morris is currently completing his third consecutive term on the council. He formerly served in the same capacity from 1977 to 1981.
He and his wife Cynthia have two daughters and are members of the First Baptist Church of Rockingham.
“Hopefully, we can see a lot of the recreation opportunities in the city expanded (during the next term),” Morris said. “We have the new recreation complex plans. Hopefully, we can get that started, and also the canoe trail and the camping ground on Hitchcock Creek. I’d like to see that finished over the next term.”
Fuller was unavailable for comment at press time.
Hamlet Mayor Jeff Smart also informed the Richmond County Board of Elections he will be seeking a second term in that office.
Elected in 2007, Smart is a native of Hamlet, where he manages Mabry’s Drug Store on Main Street with his siblings.
He is the son of former Hamlet Mayor Tom Smart. He and his wife Jami have two sons.
“I would like to continue the positive things we are doing in Hamlet - cleaning up the areas that need to be cleaned up and continuing to renovate the downtown area,” Smart said.
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