Four more throw hats in the ring

T. J. ROYAL

The gorgeous weather Tuesday brought out four more candidates to file for Edgecombe's municipal elections, two incumbents and two challengers.

Conetoe Mayor Linda Ingram and Tarboro Ward 7 Councilman Roy Gray were the incumbents who filed at the Edgecombe County Administration Building in Tarboro Tuesday.

The two challengers were Theresa Richardson for the Princeville mayorship and John Wooten for the Tarboro Town Council Ward 1 seat.

Richardson, 41, of 101 Lowes Court, said it was her first time filing for public office when she decided to challenge Princeville Mayor Delia Perkins on Tuesday. Tyrone Hopkins also filed for the mayorship of Princeville.

Richardson, who works for Home Life Care Inc., said she is running for the mayor slot because she feels she wants "to bring the town to where it should be" as far as its development goes.

"I feel we should be up to par" with other municipalities that have survived for as long as Princeville has, Richardson said. Princeville was founded in 1865, the first town in the United States to be founded by former black slaves.

"We should appreciate our town more than we do," and continue clean up efforts that she said have begun to take place, Richardson added.

Unlike mayors in the past though, namely Priscilla Everette-Oates, Richardson said she would make "no promises" about the reduction of water bills if she is elected mayor in November.

Wooten, 64, of 3706 N. Main St., said it is also his first time filing for public office within an Edgecombe County municipality. He is set to run against incumbent Ward 1 Councilman Buck Price and challenger Gerrelene M. Walker.

If he is elected, Wooten said he wants to see more involvement on the town government's part with Tarboro's youth. "It's where the town is going to gain part of its strength" for the future, he added, and that he doesn't see the "labor-intensive" work he says is available in the area is going to attract youth to stay around.

"In order for them to get jobs that have future potential, they have to go elsewhere," Wooten added.

Wooten, retired from the U.S. Department of Defense, said he moved to Tarboro from Maryland three years ago. His father, John Wooten Sr., was originally from Tarboro, he added.

When it comes to working with the youth in the town to help build Tarboro for the future, Wooten added "you've go to start somewhere." He pointed to taking on a job as a janitor for the Department of Defense, as a "foot in the door," as an example.

Ingram and Gray could not be reached for comment.

Filing for the municipal elections ends at noon on Friday.

All municipal elections in Edgecombe, except for Rocky Mount, will be held Nov. 3. Rocky Mount's municipal election is Oct. 6.

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