The filing period for the 2015 municipal elections began on Monday. The seats for all Johnston County mayors, with the exception of the Town of Four Oaks, are up for election this year. Two to four council seats are up for election in each town across the county.
In Smithfield, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Moore filed for Mayor Monday afternoon. Current Mayor John Lampe announced a few weeks ago he would not seek a second term. Moore, who was accompanied by his family when he filed at the Johnston County Board of Elections Office, is currently in his fourth term on the Smithfield Town Council.
Moore said he and his wife, Lydia, are proud to be raising their three children in Smithfield and that he wants to continue to strive to make Smithfield “an even better place for families to call home.”
Smithfield Town Councilman Emery Ashley announced Monday he would seek his second term on the town council. Ashley said, “During this first term, we have accomplished good things but there is more work to be done. I think the biggest accomplishment is a more financially efficient and effective Town. The Council, the Town Manager, and the Town staff have worked hard to bring the general fund balance from virtually nothing 3 years ago to over 40% today. The general fund balance is an indication of the financial health of the Town. Our fund balances in the water/sewer fund and electric fund are healthy. We are good, but as I have said many times, we must remain vigilant and diligent.”
Ashley said his goals during his second term would be to continue to “make sure the taxpayers get the most for their tax dollars,” continue to improve infrastructure, work with the school system and business community “to make sure all children not only have the opportunity for an education, but receive a good education.”
Smithfield Town Councilman Charles A. Williams also filed Monday for his second term.
In Selma, Mayor Cheryl Oliver filed for re-election. Oliver has served two terms. Timmy Wayne Strickland filed for a seat on the Selma Town Council.
In Pine Level, Mayor Jeff Holt, who has served five terms, is seeking his sixth term. Phil Pittman, who has severed 8 terms as commissioner and three terms as mayor since first being elected in 1987, filed Monday for re-election to the town council.
In Archer Lodge, Debbie Barnes filed for a seat on the Archer Lodge Town Council.
For Clayton Town Council, Bobby Bunn filed for office Monday. Also, Councilman Jason Thompson filed for his second term.
The filing period remains open until Noon on Friday, July 17th.
