Image 1 / 3
Cooley
One of Friday's filers was former County Commissioner John Cooley.
A Democrat, Cooley will oppose incumbent Betty Blue Gholston for county commissioner in the Springhill district.
A landscape nurseryman and owner of Cooley's Nursery in Wagram, the former commissioner said economic improvement will be his main focus if reelected.
"Jobs, the economy, and taxes are the major concerns of all Americans," Cooley said. "I will use my experience from living and running a business here in Scotland County to make every effort to improve our economy and living standard."
Cooley said he is running again to provide choices for the voters.
"I want to give people the option of electing someone new if they want," he said. "If there's a contribution I can make, I'm willing to do it. My experience during tough times in the past can help us through this economic rough patch."
Cooley holds a bachelor of science degree in ornamental horticulture from North Carolina State University. He and his wife Elizabeth have two sons, Alex and Dan.
Democrat Pat Fields has filed to run for Clerk of Superior Court, the only challenger to incumbent W. Philip McRae. A past member of the Scotland County Board of Education (1992-1996), a past president, vice president and treasurer of the North Carolina Judicial Support Staff, and a past president of the Scottish Pilot Club, Fields is currently the Scottish Pilot Club treasurer. She also serves as a member of the Special Olympics committee.
"I have been employed in the judicial system for 21 years, four years in the clerk's office and 17 years in the judge's office as a trial court coordinator," Fields said. "I have been involved in all aspects of the court system, as I have worked in one form or another in all of the various courts. I am very familiar with the General Statutes, which govern the function of the court system as a whole.
"As a native of Laurinburg, I would like the opportunity to be a servant to the public in this capacity, and for this reason I am filing to run for Clerk of Superior Court."
A member of the East Laurinburg Church of God, Fields attended Pembroke State University. She and her husband Ronnie Fields, Sr. have two children, Ronnie Lee Fields, Jr. and Heather Marie Fields. Residing at 15980 Fieldcrest Road in Laurinburg, she lists her hobbies as playing piano and organ, singing, and outreach ministry.
The Rev. Vicki Jackson of Laurinburg filed to run for one of two School Board at Large positions, each currently held by incumbents Calvin Newton and Jimmy R. Bennett.
"Our children are indeed our future," Jackson said. She listed her involvement with children as "a love and a passion" that includes "ministering to young boys and girls on the streets, giving them hope, and working as a substitute for Scotland County Schools."
Jackson and her husband, Apostle Lawrence Jackson III, are the pastors of All in the Word Outreach Ministries of Laurinburg. They are also the founders of the All in the Word Outreach Ministries' annual summer camp program.
"This program started out with 'faith' and simple obedience to God in the summer of 2007," Jackson said. "This summer camp program has been very successful with the support of their church members, prayer partners, volunteers and parents in the community."
Jackson said her interest in the School Board at Large seat is to become more knowledgeable and vocal in the decision making process regarding the educational development of her six children as well as of the children of the community.
Others filing Friday were Charles Fipps of Laurel Hill for School Board at Large and Teresa Chavis Locklear of Laurinburg for the School Board-Stewartsville Township position. Republican John Frank Harry also listed his intent to campaign for the North Carolina House District 48 seat held by incumbent Garland E. Pierce.
Other races
Other races expected to generate interest include that of sheriff. Scotland County Sheriff Shep Jones faces a primary contest for his seat as Democrat Mike Webb, a candidate who has challenged Jones in the past, is seeking his position.
Laurinburg Democrats Sen. Bill Purcell and Rep. Doug Yongue both face Republican challengers in the general election. G.L. Pridgeon of Lumberton is running for Yongue's House District 46 seat while Purcell will face Albemarle Republican Jason Phibbs for his Senate District 25 seat.
Incumbent county commissioners J.D. Willis and Guy McCook, both of the Stewartsville District, will face Democratic challengers Jermaine Dockery and Carol H. McCall in the primaries and Republican Bill Owens in November.
Owens is the only Scotland County Republican to file for a partisan race this term.
District Court Judges Regina M. Joe and William C. McIlwain III are both running unopposed for their District 16A judge seats.
Post a Comment
