Candidates forum Tuesday in Mount Olive
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on October 16, 2005 2:15 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- The public is invited to attend a candidates forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Senior Citizen's Center at 711 N.W. Center St. in Mount Olive.
The Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the forum to provide an opportunity for the community to meet Mount Olive candidates informally and to hear their views.
The candidates are Mayor Ruff Huggins and challenger Gilbert Usher; at-large town Commissioner Ray Thompson and his two challengers, Jessie "Jack" Faison and Rick Kraft; District One Commissioner Ora H. Truzy and her challenger, former Mount Olive zoning officer Kenny Talton; District Two Commissioner Paul Smalley and his challenger Hosea Manley; Tom Preston and Billy Rivenbark, who are seeking the District Three seat left vacant by Lloyd Warren, who is not seeking re-election; and District Four Commissioner Jimmy Kornegay and his challenger, Gene Lee.
Huggins has been mayor three years this time, and previously served four years as mayor. He has also served on the town's planning board.
Thompson has served six years on the town board. Challenger Faison has served four years on the board, representing District Two. Kraft owns a business downtown and has never been on the board.
Ms. Truzy has been on the board seven years. Challenger Talton was a town employee for nine years.
Smalley has been on the board six years. Challenger Manley has sought a seat on the board, but he has not been elected.
Rivenbark was on the board eight years in the 1980s and early 1990s. This is Preston's first bid for public office.
Kornegay has been on the board for four years, and his challenger, Gene Lee, served on the board for 17 years.
Light refreshments will be served after the brief program.
For information, call the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce at 658-3113.