The Four Oaks Town Board has selected a replacement for former Commissioner Sandy Lee. Lee who won reelection last November, died on April 22nd. He had served 28 years on the town council.
Five residents had expressed interest in the vacant council seat, including retired police chief Danny Toppings, former public works director Roy Adams, James Norris, Mike Hines, and Andy Hardy.
All five were encouraged to attend Monday night’s council meeting however just Adams and Hardy attended. Instead of vetting the two candidates in closed session, Mayor Linwood Parker and members of the town board questioned Adams and Hardy in open session.
Adams said he wanted to improve the water and sewer system in Four Oaks and also improve the cleanliness of the town. He also said current town staff were taking too long to read the meters each month. He said the town was not as clean as it was when he retired in 2009.
Hardy, a Certified Public Accountant and the Chief Financial Officer at South River Electric Corporation in Dunn, has lived in Four Oaks 18 years. A volunteer on the fire department for the last 5 years, Hardy says he is also active in the Civitans and wants to continue to give back to the community.
After answering several questions, Mayor Parker asked both candidates to step outside the council chambers. Commissioner John Hatch said both candidates were qualified. Commissioner Vic Medlin agreed but added that Hardy may be able to offer the town valuable financial and accounting knowledge that will be needed if Commissioner Walter Holt, who oversees the towns finances for the last 14 years, decides not to seek reelection in 2017.
Before voting, Commissioner Chris Haley wanted assurance the other three candidates were asked to attend the meeting. Commissioner Medlin said they were, noting Mike Hines was unable to attend because he was out of town.
In a unanimous vote, the council appointed Andy Hardy to fill out the unexpired term of Commissioner Lee. He will officially be sworn in at the August meeting. His term will end in November 2019.
