Election director moving
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on February 3, 2004 2:03 PM
After a decade of working for the Wayne County Board of Elections, almost to the day, Suzanne Southerland is leaving to take a position as director of the Duplin County Board of Elections.
She is scheduled to begin her new job next Monday.
Mrs. Southerland began working as elections director in Wayne County on Jan. 24, 1994, after leaving a post in the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Her job at the Sheriff's Office was working in an administrative capacity for former Sheriff James Sasser.
Born and reared in Goldsboro, Mrs. Southerland has ties to Duplin County.
"My husband, L.B. Southerland, is from Duplin," she said. "And his mom still lives there."
She and her husband also own and operate Beautancus Christmas Tree Farm in Duplin County.
Mrs. Southerland said she had enjoyed working in Wayne County, but looked forward to new challenges in her new position.
Geoff Hulse, county elections chairman, thanked Mrs. Southerland for her years of service and said he was sad to see her go.
"We've been through some rough waters since I've been here," he said, "But we're still floating."
Chester Beverly, board member, wished her Godspeed in her new job.
Gary Sims, elections director, said that he would be reviewing the duties associated with Mrs. Southerland's job before making a recommendation to the board on how to fill the position.