Monday — first day of filing for the 2009 Municipal Elections — saw five candidates officially state their intentions to seek elective office, according to Dell Parker, director of the Scotland County Board of Elections.

Those filing included Laurinburg council member Rembert DeBerry and District 1 challenger Hattie Ray; East Laurinburg Commissioners Marshall Stevens and Robert Lee Wallace; and Wag-ram Councilman Robert McLaughlin.

Candidates have until July 17 to file for 15 positions.

Laurinburg

Incumbent at-large council member DeBerry was first in line to file as a candidate.

Also up for re-e-election are Herbert Rainer in District 1. So far only, newcomer Hattie Ray filed for the District 1 seat.

Councilman Tommy Parker's District 2 seat is also up.

The filing fee for Laurinburg is $25.

East Laurinburg

In East Laurinburg, the mayor and all three at-large commissioner seats are up for grabs.

Incumbents are Mayor Randy Miller, Marshall Stevens, Robert Wallace and

Earlene Fowler.

Stevens and Wallace both filed for reelection. Miller has said he is not planning to run for reelection. Filing fee for mayor is $18 and for commissioner is $12.

Gibson

In Gibson, the mayor and three commissioners are up for reelection. Incumbents are Mayor Ronnie Hudson, Lula A. Cottingham, Thompson Jones and Charles Webb. The mayor serves a two-year term while commissioners serve four-year terms. Filing fees are $5 for each position. No one has filed for any of the positions.

Wagram

In Wagram, the mayor and three council positions are up for reelection. The incumbents are Mayor Milton W. Farmer, Robert L. McLaughlin, Hyder Massey and Jackie Laviner. The two receiving the most votes for council will serve four-year terms while the person running in third serves a two-year term. Parker said that, in case of a tie, names will be drawn out of a hat to decide which one serves a two-year term. Mayors serve for two years. McLaughlin filed for reelection. Filing fees are $5.

Candidates filing Monday:

Laurinburg

At-Large Council Member

Rembert DeBerry (incumbent)

7058 Corona Avenue

Laurinburg, NC 28352

District 1 Council Member

Hattie Pegues Ray

609 Anne Street

Laurinburg, NC 28352

East Laurinburg

Commissioner (Three seats)

Marshall Stevens (incumbent)

5 2nd Street

East Laurinburg, NC 28352

Robert Lee Wallace (incumbent)

33 8th Street

East Laurinburg, NC 28352

Wag-ram

Council Member (Three seats)

Robert McLaughlin (incumbent)

P.O. Box 473

Wag-ram, NC 28396