21 seek public office in EC

Hill-Lawrence, Brooks, Bartlett file

By REGGIE PONDER
Staff Writer

Friday, July 17, 2009

The filing period for this fall’s municipal elections ended Friday with three more candidates signing up for city council races in Elizabeth City.

The filings in Elizabeth City by the Rev. Lena Hill-Lawrence and Lennard Bartlett Sr. in the 4th Ward and Michael Brooks in the 3rd Ward brought the total number of council and mayoral candidates to 21.

Elsewhere, no one else filed Friday for the municipal elections in either Edenton, Winfall or Hertford.

In Elizabeth City, three candidates — accountant Roger McLean, retired contractor and former three term Mayor H. Rick Gardner, and former 1st Ward Councilman Don Cherry — will square off in the city’s mayoral election. It will be the city’s only at-large election, meaning all voters can cast ballots.

In the city’s four wards, voters in the 3rd and 4th Wards will have the most choices for city council this fall. Both wards drew five candidates each. Each ward elects two council representatives.

In the 3rd Ward, incumbent Rickey King is seeking re-election to a second term. His four challengers include the former councilor he defeated in 2007 for his council seat: Michael Brooks. The other three candidates are Milford Creecy, Dennis B. Stallings and Kem Spence.

Besides Hill-Lawrence and Bartlett, the other candidates in the 4th Ward include incumbent Councilwoman Volanda Watts and the candidate she defeated in 2007, Johnnie Walton. First-time candidate Richard “Pete” Gilbert will also be on the ballot.

The elections for two seats in both the 1st and 2nd Wards drew four candidates each. In the 1st Ward, the filers include incumbents Jean Baker and Betty Meggs and challengers Pat Franzese and Tom Baker.

In the 2nd Ward, incumbents Anita Hummer and Tony Stimatz are being challenged by Selma White-Kyles and Allison Wills.

In an interview Friday, Hill-Lawrence said her experience as chairman of the Community Relations Commission would help her as a councilwoman.

“I live by the philosophy that to whom much is given, much is required,” said Hill-Lawrence. “I believe I have some expertise and some training to help make my ward the kind of ward that I want it to be and that the people desire it to be. What I am today is because of Elizabeth City. The citizens (here) were instrumental in my development and so I feel that it is expedient that I give back since so much has been given to me.”

Brooks said he’s running because there are many things wrong with the way the city is being run now.

“I think it’s wrong for this city to help the airport authority with a $1.5 million grant that they fell short on when people are getting their lights cut off,” Brooks said. “I think it’s wrong to take a million dollars from the electric fund for the police department when people are getting their lights turned off, when senior citizens can’t pay their electric bills.”

Bartlett couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.

Tom Baker, who filed Wednesday as a candidate in the 1st Ward, said he can’t guarantee he’ll bring utility rates down but promises to fight for lower rates.

“People are getting robbed by the utility rates, taxes and so forth,” he said. “They keep saying there’s nothing we can do about it but there’s things you can do about the utility rates.”

He noted City Manger Rich Olson had acknowledged at Tuesday night’s forum on electricity issues that he had voted for wholesale rate increases and City Council had passed them on as retail rate hikes.

“I think it’s time we get people in there who can say 'no,’” he said.

The elderly, disabled, veterans and children are overlooked, he said, pointing out the city recently approved $75,000 for Port Discover. That’s great for younger children but “what about our teenagers out here running the streets and there’s nothing for them to do?” he asked.

Wills, who filed Thursday in the 2nd Ward, said she wants to be a voice for citizens.

“I’m running because I am a Coast Guard wife and I have three children in the schools here and I have a mortgage that sometimes is the same amount as my electric bill or pretty close to it,” Wills said. “I see a lot of potential for the city but it just seems like the city has really lost their priorities. ... The people in our ward and in Elizabeth City need a voice. I had a choice to sit in the corner and do nothing or stand up and fight and I chose to fight.”