RALEIGH — Gov. Beverly Perdue has appointed Proctorville businessman Michael Walters to complete the term of state Sen. David Weinstein, which ends in 2010.

Weinstein, whose District 13 encompasses Robeson and Hoke counties, gave up his Senate seat Sept. 30 after being appointed by Perdue to head the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. A Democrat, he had represented Robeson and Hoke counties since 1997.

“The governor signed the papers last night and they were handed over to the General Assembly today,” a spokesperson for the governor said Wednesday.

Last week, Walters was the unanimous choice of a three-member committee of Democrats representing both of the counties making up District 13. The committee forwarded its recommendation to the governor, who by state law had until Wednesday to appoint Walters or the appointment would automatically become effective.

Walters said he received official confirmation of his appointment, along with a proclamation signed by the governor and secretary of state, early Wednesday morning.

“I’m ready to go to work,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone in Raleigh. “I’ve already talked with the (Senate) leadership about making things happen in Hoke and Robeson counties.”

Walters said that there has not yet been a date set for a swearing-in ceremony. He also said that next week he will travel to Raleigh to meet with representatives of the Governor’s Office and Senate leadership for an orientation session.

The senator said that he has been asked by Senate leader Marc Basnight’s office to supply a list of his interests, as well as a list of Senate committees on which he would like to serve. His wish list of committee assignments, he said, include: Environment and Natural Resources; Commerce; Agriculture; Mental Health; Education; and Higher Education.

Walters said Wednesday that he wants to finish the work started by Weinstein, citing specifically the creation of an equestrian facility at the Southeastern Regional Agricultural Center/Farmers Market.

“That would allow us to develop tourism,” he said.

Walters emphasized the need to continue development of the Interstate 95 and U.S. 73/74 corridors, and to look toward The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Robeson Community College as sources for workforce development.

“We have to go out and market the resources we have here in Robeson County,” he said... “We are at a crossroads. We have lost the tobacco and textiles industries. We have to look at other opportunities, including technology, that are available to us.”

Walters, 53, is president of Claybourn Walters Logging Company, which is involved in agriculture, timber and real estate development. He serves on several boards, including the Fairmont board of BB&T, the Southeastern Regional Medical Center board of trustees, and the Forestry Mutual Insurance board of directors.

Benjamin Clark, a Hoke County resident who has run for the seat twice, and Rose Marie Lowry-Townsend, an educator who lost a congressional primary in 1996 to U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, also lobbied for the assignment last week before the local Senate selection committee. Both have said they plan to be candidates in next year’s Senate race.