Tom MacCallum

Richmond County Daily Journal

G. R. Kindley Jr. of Rockingham has resigned as a member of the N. C. Board of Transportation after 16 years and four months of service.

Gov. Beverly Perdue was notified Thursday of his intention.

“I spoke last January with you regarding my interest in resigning from the board, at which time you requested that I remain active until a replacement was appointed,” Kindley wrote to Perdue.

“Even though a replacement has not appointed, I feel the need to go forward with my resignation effective July 15, 2009,” he said.

On Friday, Perdue named six new members for the 19-member NCDOT Board to be reviewed by a legislative oversight committee, as required by state ethics laws. Each of 14 divisions in North Carolina has a representative on the board, and there are five special positions as well.

She will also now have to fill Kindley’s seat from Division 8 which includes the counties of Richmond, Scotland, Hoke, Randolph, Chatham, Lee, Moore and Montgomery.

Kindley said he had no idea who Perdue might select for the unpaid position.

His term on the board was a four-year appointment which would have ended in 2011. “But you still serve at the pleasure of the governor,” he said.

“It has been a good ride, but it is time to get off the bus,” Kindley said Friday. “I have no other reason for leaving other than wanting to have more personal time to do things I want to do.”

He remains semi-retired as president of Southern Builders in Rockingham.

Kindley said his leaving the NCDOT Board would be a break in his public service beginning with being a member of Rockingham City Council for 10 years and later mayor of the city for 20 years.

Although he said he wants more time to himself, he has no plans to completely retire from his business. He said he is not planning on seeking any public office.

“I’m older now (77 on July 28) and just felt like it was the right thing for me to do,” Kindley said, “and to spend more time in Rockingham.”

Kindley was first appointed to the board in 1993 by Gov. James B. Hunt and has been re-appointed ever since by succeeding governors. In 1997, he was named vice chairman.

“He’s been a mentor to me,” said Rockingham Mayor Gene McLaurin who took the mayor’s office when Kindley stepped down.

“He’s been someone I’ve regularly talked with on issues. He’s so well respected, not just locally, but statewide. He’s one of those people who really takes public service seriously and believes it’s about serving the public and that’s the reason he’s been on the DOT board for so long.”

During his time in office, he has overseen the construction of main highways in Richmond County as well as throughout his division.

The U.S. 74 Bypass in Richmond County is named the G. R. Kindley Freeway in his honor. At the dedication in November 2000, Gov. Hunt presented Kindley the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

During his tenure, the U.S. 220 Bypass of Ellerbe was also initiated and completed as part of the Interstate 73/74 corridor through North Carolina. And, widening is taking place on U. S. 1 north of Marston.

He said the U.S. 1 bypass of Rockingham from Marston to the U.S.. 74 Bypass is still four or more years away, depending on funds available.

In dedicating the U.S. 74 Bypass in 2000, Gov. Hunt honored Kindley by saying he embodied the motto of the state seal, “To be rather than to seem.” He said Kindley was “one of the great human beings that God created” and praised him for his “integrity, knowledge and zeal.”

n Contact reporter Tom MacCallum at 997-3111, ext. 15; e-mail tmaccallum@yourdailyjournal.com.