LUMBERTON — Three people filed for mayoral seats in Rowland, Maxton and St. Pauls on Wednesday, while five other people joined races for seats on town boards in Red Springs, Maxton, Parkton and St. Pauls.
James Hampton Sr., who works for the state as a fixed asset coordinator at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, filed for mayor of Rowland.
He also works as a coach and manager for an AAU basketball team and as an usher, administrative council chairman and Pastor’s Parrish Committee member at New Hope United Methodist Church.
“We have a responsibility to our youth … . We have to take back our communities and educate our youth. We have to provide jobs, scholarships, meaningful aftercare services, homes and recreation centers to direct their energies in a positive direction,” Hampton said.
Shearlie McBryde filed for a seat on the Red Springs Board of Commissioners.
McBryde is a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church, the Red Spring Gleaners #382 Order of the Eastern Star, served in the U.S. Army for 12 years, is a past chairman of the Red Springs Community Watch program and currently works as a cafeteria assistant at Red Springs Middle School.
She worked as an assistant with the Department of Transportation’s Division of Highways for 20 years. She served three years as chairman of the State Employees Credit Union Pembroke Branch Advisory Board.
There are three seats up for grabs on the Red Springs board. Incumbent Duron Burney has filed for re-election.
Paul McDowell filed for a seat on the Maxton Board of Commissioners. becoming the fourth person to do so.
McDowell worked as a police officer for several years and then served as the police chief for eight years before retiring five years ago.
“I’m very concerned about the town and I am stepping up to perform my civic duty,” McDowell said.
He said that he hopes to work with the town to improve finances, work with the police chief and work with the citizens of Maxton.
Robert Lee McRae also filed Wednesday for the Maxton Board of Commissioners.
McRae ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the board two years ago as a write-in candidate. He currently serves on the town’s Planning and Zoning Board, is a member of the board of trustees for Southeastern Community and Family Services, and serves on the board of trustees at Follower of Christ Ministry in Maxton. For the past four years he has been employed by Murphy-Brown.
“Maxton is my home and no one can better care for their home than the owner,” he said. “I have a lot to offer the citizens of Maxton with my experience with people and business.
“Maxton needs so much,” McRae said. “There are a lot of things that can be done to improve the town financially, to beautify it, and to take care of our kids.”
Incumbent Commissioner Emmett “Chip” Morton filed as a candidate for Maxton mayor, and St. Pauls Mayor M. Gordon “Buddy” Westbrook filed for re-election.
Robin Hill filed for re-election to Parkton Board of Aldermen. John Gudauskas filed as a candidate for one of two at-large seats up for grabs on the St. Pauls Board of Commissioners.
None of those candidates provided information to The Robesonian.
The filing period for the General Election continues weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. through noon on July 17. Council members will be elected in all of the county’s 15 municipalities and mayors will be on the ballot in 13 of them.
