Stanback files for mayor’s race
by Philip D. Brown
8 months ago | 1945 views | 26 26 comments | 38 38 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Bruce Stanback, former chairman of the Richmond County School Board and Rockingham Housing Authority Board of Directors, declared his intentions to run against Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin Tuesday.

Stanback enjoyed a nearly three decade-long career in the North Carolina Juvenile Justice system, before retiring in 2007.

His filing comes after Stanback has been the subject of an investigation into his activities in connection with the Rockingham Housing Authority and an afterschool program run through the agency.

He currently retains a seat on the county school board he’s held for over a decade. Should he be elected, he would have to resign that position before taking office in Rockingham, according to the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

Stanback could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Incumbent Rockingham City Councilwoman Shirley Fuller filed to campaign for her current seat on Monday.

“The present city council and city staff continue to improve the quality of life for our citizens,” Fuller said Tuesday morning. “We are in the midst of tough economic times, but we are making progress. Our city slogan states Rockingham is a ‘City Looking Forward,’ and I’m honored to be a part of that vision.”

Fuller first joined the city council when she filled the vacant seat left by the retirement of Bill Blackwell in 2003. She was then elected to a four-year term in 2005.

A Richmond County Schools administrative veteran, Fuller currently serves as the principal of Rockingham Middle School. She is a mother, attends Mt. Sinai Baptist Church and is the widow of the late Walter Fuller Sr.

Ellerbe Town Councilman Evon Craven also filed to run as an incumbent for his current seat on Tuesday.

When his current term expires, he will have served the town for a decade as a councilman.

“I’ve worked a lot with the streets and sidewalks of our town,” Craven said. “I would like to keep improving the streets and sidewalks. I don’t promise anything specific, but promise that I will do whatever I feel is best for the town.”

A widower, Craven is a father of two, a grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of three. He is a church elder at Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church, where he serves as Sunday School Superintendent, treasurer and groundskeeper of the cemetery.

Dobbins Heights Town Councilwoman Angeline David rounds out the slate of incumbents to register for November elections Tuesday.

She could not be reached for comment at press time.
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comments (26)
« anonymous wrote on Saturday, Jul 11 at 03:33 PM »
Fo' real Sugarme. Not to mention, he doesn't have an ethical braid on his head! Word. Shamone!!
« Sugarme wrote on Saturday, Jul 11 at 10:13 AM »
I am absolutely appalled at the insanity of this issue. Stanback does not have an ethical bone in his body and the idea that people might vote for him to be Rockingham's mayor is down right frightening. Don't worry about him hiring family members to run his campaign. Pam Easterling will surely be in charge of it. Of course, she is one of his biggest supporters on the school board and let's not forget her "school" that is no doubt receiving federal funds. I'm sure Stanback has given her plenty of tips on how to use those funds. Stanback's arrogance knows no bounds. He'll get some votes. It's not that hard to get a van, pick up people who wouldn't normally vote, feed them lunch, take them to vote, and bring them home. Perhaps he can get Grace Ingram to drive that van. Let's just hope that educated tax payers in Rockingham also get out and vote that day. It's not a race issue. The issue is clearly that our city's mayor should actually be a law abiding citizen. Obviously Stanback doesn't fit the profile.

« notafanoftheignorant2 wrote on Friday, Jul 10 at 10:42 PM »
Fo' real, the grammar and spelling in these posts is da bomb.

Seriously, let's pretend we're educated here. Gene McLaurin isn't going to talk badly about anybody in public or try to get anything started. The man has common sense and poise and is a gentleman.

That's not even the issue here anyway. The issue is Bruce Stanback is running for mayor and what a joke that is. YIKES!

And why does someone always have to say it's about race??!!! Peggy Covington! Peggy Covington! Say my name!
« OnlyMe2 wrote on Friday, Jul 10 at 03:38 PM »
If Bruce has done nothing wrong, then there will be no dirt to pull up right? THINK ABOUT IT!! But from where I sit, it appears that he's been lying and being dishonest, so that's why he's being investigated. I don't know about you, but I don't want a dishonest person representing me. That has nothing to do with race, but common sense. As for McLaurin is concerned, he appears to be a good spirited person. Even a good spirited person gets tired of being slapped around. For months, Bruce has been slanderizing the names of individuals associated with the city. Why don't you say something about that. Maybe Bruce didn't do it in the paper, but he's done it in conversations because I've passed him in a store while he was talking about. Nobody is jealous of Bruce or making this a racial issue. Look at it this way: If someone was trying to break into your house, won't you try to stop them? Well, Bruce is trying to break into McLaurin's house. He needs to protect his house. So if McLaurin wants to go after Bruce, I say go for it. McLaurin don't go down without a fight.
« jonta00 wrote on Friday, Jul 10 at 09:17 AM »
you people need to quit all this is boiling down to is a race thing..u might not want to beleive it but thats what it is..McLaurin heard Bruce was running for mayor so now they are trying to get all the dirt on him they can please man win it fair annd square..also how can Furr tell someone something he is just as crooked as they come him and Voorhees
« notafanoftheignorant2 wrote on Friday, Jul 10 at 09:04 AM »
Fo' real Baby C.
« baby c wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 08:50 PM »
Why ya'll so mean. Like I said he aint done nothing wrong. So what if he want his family to have a job... if you were in a position to help your family you would two.

*babyc*
« jonjon21 wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 07:19 PM »
I understand that the School Board removed him from being the Chairman, but what in the world is it going to take to get this man off the School Board too? This is the most outrageous thing i have ever heard. I say not one more penny of my tax dollars should find its way into his crooked hands! His is an embarrasment to Richmond County and should be run out of County! Hopefully it will be in handcuffs! WHo would he hire at the City? GRacie Ingram!!

What a Joke! I have a headache now! Go home Bruce before your ALL of your secrets come out of the "closet"!!
« 2ndrose wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 01:36 PM »
2/4 yrs ago misconduct/rumors/secrets maybe true & come into the lite.Bruce needs to stay home & stay out of public's eyes.
« richmondcocitizen wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 12:37 PM »
“That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
« comeoutdacloset wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 11:41 AM »
Theres more than just tax payers money in the closet! Come out Bruce! Trying to play the race card to exert your revenge on those investigating you will fail. The only thing that exceeds your arogance is your belief in the stupity of Rockingham voters. Many have prayed for a day of reckoning...when the votes are counted, the stupid citizens will have the last laugh! Hey, why not hire the former RHA family members to run your campaign?
« notafanoftheignorant2 wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 08:20 AM »
If Peggy Covington can do it, Stanback can do it. YIKES!!
« meyersguy wrote on Thursday, Jul 09 at 07:43 AM »
WHAT???!!! Bruce is now trying to turn this into politics. I am sick on my stomach of hearing of his and Mrs Ingrams misdeeds. How can anyone, with a strait face, claim that he did not do anything wrong? He took the job while he was Chairman of the Board for petes sake! That alone is enough for me to say no thank you. I suppose if he was to get elected to Mayor the City of Rockingham would have to hire his mama, sisters and brother-in-law and all the rest that no longer work for RHA. The voters are not dummies and we see thru this desperate power grab Bruce!

« rcsdfan wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 07:49 PM »
What we need here is for our Sheriff to have a talk with Bruce Standback and tell him what he is being. We all know that Dale dosent mind calling someone an idiot! This is the most outrageous thing I have ever heard! Who does Bruce Stanback think he is! Better yet how stupid does he think the citizens of Rockingham think are???? I cant wait for the election just so I can vote against MR Stanback. I believe we should impeach Stanback from the School Board!
« babygotback wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 07:02 PM »
Bruce ain't done nothing wrong. I for one WILL vote for him. Innocent until proven guilty right? Give the man a chance. He loves kids and only wants the best for the city of Rockingham... come on peeps give him a break.

Oh and by the way the braids are none of your buisness "Only Me2" why you have to be so mean.

*babyc*
« anonymous wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 06:23 PM »
It is time to move away from here.
« Only Me2 wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 03:35 PM »
Even though the information was pilng up against Bruce during this Housing Authority Scandal, I've tried to remain neutral. But Bruce, today, you have taken it to another level for me. First of all, the cititens of Rockingham should let you no where near City money. Secondly, You know you don't want the Mayor's position. I've heard you only want to get even with Gene McLaurin and you also want to fire the police chief. That's pure arrogance if I've heard of such. Thirdly, today you have disappointed me. I've loss respect and confidence in you. I've voted for you in the past for other postions, but you don't have my support for Mayor. This is wrong. Totally wrong. You appear to be a man that is desperate. Not a good look for you (Neither are the braids, sorry). The City of Rockingham Mayor and the police chief are not your problem. Start with the man in the mirror.
« newswatcher2 wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 03:25 PM »
WOW!! Lets Recap:

1st the Police Chief asked for information from RHA, he is denied (arrogance)

2nd It comes to light that mysterious charges are being charged on RHA credit cards

3rd It come to light that Bruce and Gracie got this grant and hide it from the Board of RHA and gave bruce a job that was suppose to pay 32,000 and year and Bruces first act was to raise his own salary to 55,000 a year

4th Bruce took the job of Director of the program while he was Chairman of the RHA. How can that not be against the law??? gene McLauring couldnt get away with holding a position with the City of Rockingham. (is this what he will bring to city goverment?)

5th after Bruce and Gracie are fired they find that there is missing computer equipment. What a joke

And now Mr Stanback is wanting to be Mayor of the town that just happens to be investigating him for public coruption??!! Mr. Stanback, I nor any my family will ever vote for you sir and I hope that if you are guilty of what it looks like you are that you go to Federal Prison! The school Board did the Right thing in not reappointing you chairman. Bruce is a discrace and not a leader at all. A real man would step up and admit he made a mistake and take his lumps!

Also Bruce was quoted as saying that this was all about the children, how in the heck can he help the children as the Mayor of Rockingham?? It would appear to me that being on the school board would be a lot stronger position to advocate for children. But this is now about revenge for Mr. Stanback. He is showing his true colors!! I for one am not fooled.
« ray ray28345 wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 01:38 PM »
LOL, What a Joke! Bruce claims that he is all about the children and he gets beat as chairman of the school board and now he is gonna give up on children and try to be the Mayor of Rockingham. I geuss he is going to fix things over there. Rockingham must have nicer computers and grant money than the school system. Come on Bruce we all know you buddy! You are self serving and you will never beat the Mayor of Rockingham! Besides, I suspect the investigators my have something to say about this. Either you are very arrogant or very misguided, either way, we know what you are made of. GO HOME!! but hey, first I got an idea! resign from the school board, because I am sure you know your going to win the mayors seat and you cant be elected to two positions at once so I think you should go ahead and resign!
« anonymous wrote on Wednesday, Jul 08 at 11:52 AM »
Unbelievable......just unbelievable....Go home Stanback....and turn in that computer.
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