Laurinburg Councilman Rembert DeBerry lost his reelection bid for his at-large seat to challenger Ken Spencer with Spencer taking 56.9 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

East Laurinburg Commissioner Robert Lee Wallace was also unable to beat back a challenge for his seat, coming in fourth in a five-way race for three seats.

Laurinburg

DeBerry, who garnered 549 votes to Spencer's 726, seemed sad to be leaving city council.

"I don't know what to say," DeBerry said. "I'm a little disappointed. I'd just like to thank all my voters for getting out and voting and I'd like to congratulate Ken Spencer on his victory."

Spencer, a 40-year old medical administrator, said his top priority for the next four years is to create jobs.

"We need to promote our smaller businesses," Spencer said. "I look forward to working with existing committees and possibly starting a new group, possibly to start business incubators to promote the development of small businesses and entrepreneurs."

He also plans to work aggressively to find grants for community development, especially on the north side of town, and to find new opportunities for recreation programs targeted at city youth.

"I want to thank the community at large for their vision of a brighter Laurinburg," Spencer said. "Most importantly, I want to thank my campaign manager, best friend and wife, Dr. Tunau.

"I look forward to serving this community with humility and getting every resource we need to have a brighter Laurinburg and to make things better for our children and our families."

Councilman Herbert M. Rainer, Jr., a three-term councilman won a fourth term, beating Hattie Pegues Ray 302 to 198 to keep his District 1 seat.

"I am glad that it is over," Rainer said. "It was a tight race. Ms. Ray worked very hard and I had to work very hard to win.

"I want to thank my supporters," Rainer said. "I will work just as hard as I promised; they made the right decision. And more importantly I didn't want to lose because I wanted to retire. Hopefully, this year, this term will be my last. I will be at retirement age and I am going to retire. I have some other goals I want to accomplish."

Ray seemed disappointed in her loss.

"I did all I know how to do," Ray said. "I just wish everyone the best."

She did express excitement at Spencer's win, saying his victory will help bring new leadership to Laurinburg.

Councilman Tommy Parker, who ran unopposed, says he's glad to stay on another term.

"I'm pleased I got reelected and I appreciate the support of the community," Parker said.

Parker said he was disappointed for DeBerry.

"I thought he was a good council member, but I am sure Mr. Spencer will prove to be a good one also."

East Laurinburg

East Laurinburg, a town of 295 people that in the past year has established a tax and fought to handle a large debt to Robert's Tree Service, has only one incumbent returning to office - Commissioner Marshall Stevens

"I just appreciate the way it turned out," Stevens said. "I appreciate the people giving me a chance to go two more years and see what I can do."

Stevens says he hopes to continue some of the projects he's started and looks forward to working with two new commissioners and a new mayor.

"I feel that everybody is new in there but me," Stevens said. "If everyone works together, I think we can accomplish a lot."

Harry Pittman says it feels good to be the mayor-elect, but called his race with Wayne Caulder close.

"We were down there all day, me and Wayne, and we waited until it was closed," Pittman said.

They were both amiable to each other and agreed beforehand to accept the results regardless of who came out on top, Pittman said.

He says he ran to improve East Laurinburg.

"I wanted to take responsibility for trying to do something with the town and trying to get beyond some of the problems we've been having and getting back to the small town community we used to be," Pittman said. "I'd like to look into getting some services down here as far as helping seniors."

He also wants to appoint a new town attorney and to bring back the neighborhood watch program.

Pittman's opponent had no problem with him taking the mayor's race.

"I'm glad Harry got it," Caulder said. "I think he'll do a good job for the town of East Laurinburg and I wish him the best."

The highest vote getter for the East Laurinburg board was Betty Robbins with 64 votes.

"I'm glad and I just want to work with all the commissioners to try and improve our community and work together to have some pride in the community," Robbins said. "I can look around now and see that it is not like it used to be."

Robbins said neighbors helped each other when the need arose, something she says is lost in modern East Laurinburg.

Her daughter, Beverly Robbins Scott, came in last, but was far from disappointed with the outcome.

"If anyone could make a difference anywhere in the world, Betty Robbins can," Scott said. "Jim Biggs is a wonderful, outstanding man. I think that by the town of East Laurinburg choosing them, they've done a good job."

As for her electoral loss, Scott thought it was for the best.

"I'm a very busy person," Scott said. "I have so much on my plate. I don't know how I would have filled that position."

She also said the town might not have liked what she would've said, as she wants to make East Laurinburg like it was when she was growing up.

Jimmy L. Biggs, the other incoming commissioner, said he was surprised by his win, especially as an initial typo had him in last place. He said he plans to do what he feels is best for the town.

Wallace did not seem disappointed to be leaving the commission.

"Its alright," Wallace said. "Ever who got it got it. I did what I could do. I'm glad they're changing it around. I support all of them... as long as they don't put us in Laurinburg, I'm alright."

Unofficial Election Results

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Laurinburg

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At-Large Council Member

• Rembert DeBerry – 549

• Kenton Spencer – 726

• Write-in Candidate – 2

District 1 Council Member

• Herbert Rainer – 302

• Hattie Pegues Ray – 198

District 2 Council Member

• Tommy Parker – 623

• Write-in Candidate – 10

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East Laurinburg

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Mayor

• Wayne Caulder – 35

• Harry F. Pittman – 43

Commissioner (three seats)

• Jimmy L. Biggs – 60

• Betty Robbins – 64

• Beverly Robbins Scott – 28

• Marshall Stevens – 48

• Robert Lee Wallace – 31

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Gibson

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Mayor

• Ronnie Hudson – 42

• Write-in Candidate – 2

Commissioner (three seats)

• Lula Adelle Cottingham – 37

• Charles Freddie Webb – 46

• Mack “Pete” Wilkins – 38

• Write-in Candidate – 10

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Wagram

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Mayor

• Milton Farmer – 48

• Write-in Candidate – 2

Council Member (three seats)

• Jackie W. Laviner – 30

• Hyder Massey, Jr. – 47

• Robert McLaughlin – 43