Conetoe mayor faces challenge

Local News

October 29, 2009

T. J. ROYAL

In Conetoe's mayoral race, incumbent Linda Ingram is being contested by Linda Jordan.

Ingram, running for her second term, did not return phone calls for this report.

Jordan, 61, is running for political office for the first time. A veteran of the health care industry for more than 40 years, Jordan said she wants to see "more transparency" on behalf of her town's elected officials.

Living in Conetoe for the past 16 years, Jordan questioned why the town has not tried to bring in other businesses or potential investors into Conetoe.

If she is elected, she said that her idea is to have regular "visitations" from outside groups and businesses to the town.

"I think (Conetoe) is more vibrant" than the bedroom community she says it is sometimes portrayed as. She feels Conetoe could support businesses and expos, if people are drawn into the town at least once a month to see what it has to offer.

If elected, Jordan said she would be an advocate for the town within the rest of the state, attending workshops and events geared towards helping towns like Conetoe attract business.

"There are meetings in Raleigh" for such ventures, she said, adding that "no one has attended these on our behalf. We haven't had a voice.

"I think there's a lot of talent we can bring to Conetoe," Jordan said.