Candidates step up for local elections

Several local council seats – and two mayoral positions – will be up for re-election in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election. The last day to register to vote in the local elections will be Monday, Oct. 5. Three candidates vying for the mayor’s position in Zebulon include Bobby Blalock, Larry Lynch and James Nobles. Wade Evans and incumbent Dewey Yarbrough will face off for the District 2, Post 3 seat on the Zebulon City Council. Incumbent David Woods is being challenged by Joanne Tucker for the District 1, Post 3 seat in Zebulon. In Williamson, incumbent mayor Steve Fry will face challenger and former Post 2 council woman Lynn Hubbard in the upcoming election. The council has two seats open since Hubbard gave up her seat to run for mayor. No one qualified for the Post 5 seat held by Benson Hilley Sr. for around 35 years. He did not run for re-election due to health problems.’There is more going on in a little town like this than people realize. Most people don’t know the decisions council members have to make to do the right thing for the people. I hope they find the right person for the council seat,’ said Hilley. ’I can remember when we used to meet around a pot-bellied stove at Mr. Long’s store,’ said Hilley. ‘The whole city has changed and it’s nothing like it used to be. We used to meet and make a decision and that was it. Now the government pretty much tells you what decisions you have to make. I will miss the people on the council.’ The Williamson city will still have a quorum of council members with three on board and may wait to hold a special election in January. In Concord, incumbent Kim Griffin will face challenger Ric Calhoun for the Post 5 council seat. Incumbent Doug Neath was unopposed for the Post 3 seat and incumbent Sabrina Weathers was unopposed for the Post 4 seat.