AHOSKIE – In Tuesday’s edition (“Kirkland launches write-in campaign”), it was reported that Donald Kim Kirkland admitted to having a criminal record – a misdemeanor charge in South Carolina in 1988 and a trespassing charge in North Carolina in 1992.

A criminal records check performed by this newspaper revealed another charge – this one for making a bomb threat in Hertford County in February of 1989. According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections website, Kirkland was given a suspended sentence and placed on probation for that charge.

In response, Kirkland said he had forgotten about that charge.

“As for the bomb threat in 1989, I was intoxicated and pled to something I had no recollection about,” Kirkland said. “It was charged as communicating threats, a misdemeanor; so I took my punishment.”

As reported in Tuesday edition, Kirkland is seeking to be elected mayor of Ahoskie. However, because he failed to file prior to the July 17 deadline, Kirkland’s name is not printed on the ballot.

According to Hertford County Board of Elections Director Shelia Privott, those choosing to cast a vote for an individual not listed on the ballot can do so by writing in that person’s name. Privott said there are blank lines under each printed name on the ballot that are designated for use by a voter to write in an individual’s name.

Privott added that all write-ins votes are counted.

Incumbent Ahoskie Mayor Linda Blackburn formally filed for reelection prior to the July 17 deadline. Her name is printed on the ballot.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.