Hood supports community schools concept
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on June 11, 2004 2:02 PM
Grantham resident Mark Hood is running for Wayne County commissioner as an advocate for smaller schools.
Hood, the Democratic candidate in District 4, said in his campaign statement that he is a believer and promoter of the community school concept.
Hood
If elected, "my first priority will be to do everything within my power to see that all children of Wayne County have access to a good education at a location that will be convenient to them and their parents," he said.
He also pledged to be financially responsible.
"I will make every effort to see that the county gets the most benefit possible for every tax dollar spent," he said. As a commissioner, he would seek other options than raising the property tax rate.
Hood is making his first bid for political office. He is challenging Commissioner Efton Sager, a Republican who was first elected in 2000. The district includes most of southwestern Wayne County.
Hood retired three years ago after working at CP&L for 34 years. He is a Grantham native and a graduate of Grantham High School.
He has been active in numerous civic organizations, including the Goldsboro Exchange Club; National Exchange Club; Boy Scouts; Grantham School PTA; Grantham Pool Association; Wayne County United Way Committee; Bright Leaf Western Saddle Club; National Rifle Association; and the Grantham Grange.
He has held several offices, including chairman of the Grantham School Advisory Council; president of the Grantham Youth Sports Association; president of the Southern Wayne Sports Boosters; and president of the Eastern Carolina Horseman's Association.
His church and fraternal involvement includes being a member and deacon of Falling Creek Baptist Church; Mount Olive Masonic Lodge #208; Wilmington Scottish Rite; Sudan Shrine Temple; Wayne County Shrine Club; Wayne County Scottish Rite; and Newton Grove Chapter #267, O.E.S.
He and his wife, Joyce, have two children and three grand-children.