Hale will not seek reelection

Published 8:59 am Tuesday, July 14, 2009

WINDSOR – Another senior civil servant is stepping off center stage.

Windsor Commissioner O. Wint Hale has announced his intention not to seek reelection for his seat on the town board.

Hale becomes the third veteran municipal leader to announce their intention to retire at the end of their current term. Windsor Mayor Bob Spivey and Seaboard Mayor Melvin F. Broadnax have also announced their intention to retire.

“I’m getting old,” said Hale, who moved to Windsor at the age of 12 in 1932. “My wife isn’t well and I need to spend more time with her too. I’ve run my course.”

Hale said he was proud of many things which have been accomplished during his 30-plus years as a member of the Windsor Commission. Three undertakings he specifically mentioned were the Windsor Fire Department building, Livermon Park and Zoo and the pumping station located on County Farm Road.

“I’m going to miss it all,” he said. “The meetings and going different places as a group, all of that I’ll miss.”

Hale also said he would be giving up his post with the Mid-East Commission, another board on which he has served for 30 years.

“This is the best place I’ve ever lived,” he said. “Windsor is just a good town.”

Neither Hale nor the other incumbent Commissioner, Jimmy Hoggard, is seeking reelection. Hale has announced his retirement and Hoggard is running for mayor to replace Spivey.

Two newcomers have filed for the seats. They are Joe Alexander and former Town Administrator David Overton.

Other filings in the Bertie County include:

Askewville – Mayor: John W. Pierce (I);

Powellsville – Mayor: Thomas Asbell (I); Town Council: James Peele (I), J.T. Watford (I);

Kelford – Town Council: Frank Harris (I), James Bland (I), Wayne Bland (I);

Lewiston Woodville – Mayor: Carl A. Lee (I); Town Council Woodville District: Martha J. Thompson (I); Town Council Lewiston District: Dayle Vaughan (I); Town Council At-Large: Carolyn Jernigan. The At-large seat is vacant and filing is for the unexpired term ending 2011.

No filings have taken place for offices in Aulander, Colerain or Roxobel.

Hertford County filings include:

Ahoskie – Mayor: Linda L. Blackburn (I); Town Council Ward B: Ronald J. Gatling (I);

Como – Mayor: Irvin L. Stephens (I); Town Council: Susan White Kennington (I), Kevin Higbee (I), Ann E. Spruill (I) and Stephen Frank Pierce (I);

Murfreesboro – Mayor: Lynn Johnson (I); Town Council: Lloyd Hill (I), Sarah Whitley Wallace (I);

Winton – Town Council: Will Liverman (I), Wesley Liverman (I), William McCoy Pierce (I).

No filings have taken place for offices in Cofield or Harrellsville.

Northampton County filings include:

Gaston – Commissioner: Louise M. Bailey (I);

Severn – Commissioner: Harold L. Garris (I), Royal P. Watson (I), Franklin L. Ferguson (I), Eloise P. Martin (I);

Conway – Mayor: Brian E. Bolton (I); Town Commissioner: Alan C. Harris (I);

Seaboard – Mayor: Bobie N. Moss; Town Commissioner: Edward Henderson (I), William M. Gallimore (I);

Garysburg – Mayor: Roy L. Bell (I); Town Commissioner: Darryl Whittle (I), Jearline V. Brown (I), James M. Mayo (I), Lola Ausby (I);

Rich Square – Commissioner: Linwood C. Bryant (I), Charles M. Eason (I), Raymond Joyner (I);

Jackson – Commissioner: James W. “Dock” Boone (I), Karin J. Clements (I), Mary Ann Crawley (I);

Lasker – Commissioner: Robin Gibson (I).

No filings have taken place for Woodland.

Gates County filings include:

Gatesville – Town Council: Frederick P. Smith Sr.

Filing continues through 12 noon on Friday, July 17.