Home > Election 2009
Two new faces join Greenville council
Two new faces likely will join the Greenville City Council next year, as a 22-year veteran was narrowly defeated in District 1 and a new representative steps up from District 3.
Unofficial election results indicate that Kandie Smith earned 12 more votes than incumbent Mildred Council.
The race isn’t close enough for Council to request a recount, said Pitt County Elections Director Dave Davis. The margin of victory must be one percent or less for that option to apply.
However, there are still provisional votes — people who cast ballots but couldn’t be found on the register — and an official canvass to be conducted by the board on Nov. 10.
“I’m excited,” said Smith, who gathered with friends at a downtown restaurant. “I’m overwhelmed. It wasn’t a small task. I personally picked up 13 people to take to the polls. If I hadn’t done that, I might have lost.”
Smith said she highly respects Council and her role as advocate in the community. She said if she’s named the official winner, she hopes to partner with Council in the future. “Either way it goes,” Smith said, “I’m going to keep calm. If I won, then now it’s time to get to work.”
Council could not be reached for comment.
Marion Blackburn defeated Howard Stearn in District 3 to fill the seat left vacant by Larry Spell, who opted not to run for re-election.
Blackburn said she believes her win sends a message that neighborhoods are important to the people of Greenville.
“Safe, strong neighborhoods are a vital part of our city’s quality of life,” she said. “The message I also get is people are interested in alternative transportation — walking, biking and other alternative forms of transportation — and that there also is interest in sustainable, clean energy jobs.”
Stearn could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Pat Dunn won her bid for re-election, and said she and her supporters worked very hard to earn the victory over opponent Minnie Johnson-Anderson.
“Greenville is a great city with great people,” she said. “But we still have a lot of work to do in terms of revitalization…transportation, and delivering services in tight economic times.”
Johnson-Anderson said she will continue her work to improve Greenville and call attention to important issues.
“I made myself available,” she said. “I’m hoping this administration will continue to address crime and the need for jobs and lead the people. All the people.”
At-Large Councilman Bryant Kittrell defeated Zeke Jackson to continue representing the city as a whole.
“I’m excited and looking forward to serving another two years,” Kittrell said. “I feel somewhat vindicated by the margin, and the positions we’ve taken on downtown and other issues.”
Jackson said he was satisfied that he was able to get certain issues on the table: A four-day work week, community gardens and others.
“Bryant Kittrell is a good guy and my hat’s off to him for winning and beating me to the degree that he did,” he said.
Councilman Calvin Mercer will continue to represent District 4, after beating Matt Smith by more than 1,600 votes.
“It was an election,” Matt Smith said. “Calvin ran an excellent campaign and I wish him all the luck in the world.”
Mercer could not be reached for comment.
Councilwoman Rose Glover and Councilman Max Joyner Jr. will continue to represent Districts 2 and 5 respectively. They ran unopposed.
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Incumbent mayors win in Farmville, Fountain
Incumbent mayors in Farmville and Fountain held off challengers to reclaim their seats.
Farmville Mayor Robert L. “Bobby” Evans defeated challengers Durwood T. Little and Bert Smith, receiving nearly 44 percent of the 1,132 votes cast. Evans received 494 votes, Smith received 452 votes and Little 181 votes.
Fountain Mayor Shirley A. Mitchell received nearly 70 percent of that town’s mayoral vote, defeating her challenger, town commissioner Bruce Irvin Oakley 111 to 48 votes.
Tuesday’s election is the first time Evans has faced an opponent since his first race 12 years ago.
“I’m certainly glad the people expressed confidence in me again. It’s the first time I’ve had competition. The vote was about as close as I thought it would be,” Evans said.
“Now we need to band together for a progressive and prosperous Farmville,” he said. The following are the unofficial results of Pitt County’s municipal elections.
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Ayden mayor grateful for voters’ trust
Ayden Mayor Steve Tripp won his fourth term with 68 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Ivey Mewborn 750 votes to 347 votes.
Tripp, who won his fourth mayoral term, said his win is a statement that the citizens of Ayden want to continue a journey started six years ago.
“I am a servant of the citizens of Ayden and I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me. Now I am ready to roll up my sleeves and continue that journey by working with our commissioners to fulfill the plans we have initiated for our town.”
That includes starting work on a new 10-year comprehensive plan to guide the town’s growth.
“The key thing is citizen input and that will be what guides our journey in the next 10 years,” Tripp said.
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Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville
Winterville’s incumbent mayor won re-election Tuesday night after three-way race. Doug Jackson received 39 percent of the 1,368 votes cast in Pitt County’s second largest municipal election. The three-man race included Winterville Alderman Tony Moore and Calvin Henders, president of the Pitt County branch of the NAACP. All votes are unofficial until the Pitt County Board of Elections conducts a canvass on Nov. 10. Jackson received 536 votes, Calvin C. Henderson received 439 votes and Tony Moore received 393 votes. Jackson said he thinks voters responded to his 31 years of municipal experience as a Greenville police officer and 12 years of experience as mayor of Winterville. “As my ad said, it was positive leadership that did it,” Jackson said. Henderson, who unsuccessfully challenged Jackson for the fourth time, said he still wanted to see what the final canvass’ outcome would be. “I don’t want to have any official comment until all is counted. It was close, and we put on a good race,” Henderson said. “I would have liked to have won but life goes on,” he said. “We worked hard, we were working to win but it didn’t happen that way. We pick up the pieces and go on. “I commend Mr. Jackson on a victory,” he said. “We are not bitter because we lost.”
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Greenville voting totals
Unofficial voting totals for Greenville according to the Board of Elections. Winners are indicated by an asterisk.
MAYOR
- Patricia C. (Pat) Dunn 5,102
Minnie Johnson-Anderson 1,463
AT-LARGE
Zeke Jackson 1,606
- J. Bryant Kittrell III 4,635
DISTRICT 1
Mildred Atkinson Council 494
- Kandie Smith 506
DISTRICT 2
- Rose H. Glover 544
DISTRICT 3
- Marion Blackburn 772
Chris O’Connell 35
Howard M. Stearn 276
DISTRICT 4
- Calvin Mercer 2,025
Matt Smith 341
DISTRICT 5
- Max Ray Joyner, Jr. 1,167
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Voting totals outside Greenville
Unofficial voting totals for Pitt County towns outside Greenville according to the Board of Elections.
TOWN OF AYDEN MAYOR
Ivory L. Mewborn, 347
Steve Tripp, 750
AYDEN COMMISSIONER WARD 1
F. Louise Hemby-Pritchard 570
Janis Suggs 421
AYDEN COMMISSIONER WARD 2
Jermaine A. Alston 126
Mary Alice Davenport 857
AYDEN COMMISSIONER WARD 3
Leonard Howard Gibson 848
AYDEN COMMISSIONER WARD 4
Donald E. Skinner 860
AYDEN COMMISSIONER WARD 5
Gloria J. Dixon 752
BETHEL MAYOR
Mike Whitehurst 166
BETHEL COMMISSIONER (Top 5 vote-getters win)
Gloristine W. Brown 162
Janet Everett Davis 143
Ed Dennis Jr. 143
Frederic Whitehurst 149
Carl Wilson 154
TOWN OF FARMVILLE MAYOR
Robert L. (Bobby) Evans 494
Durwood T. Little 181
Bert Smith 452
FARMVILLE COMMISSIONER (Top 2 vote-getters win)
Charlotte Booth Batton 199
Jamin Dixon 608
Mike McLawhorn 493
David Lee Shackleford 791
FOUNTAIN MAYOR
Shirley A. Mitchell 111
Bruce Irvin Oakley 48
FOUNTAIN COMMISSIONER (Top 3 vote-getters win)
Alex Albright 107
Benji Holloman 81
Sharon Pryor 73
Ronald W. Strickland 75
Bill Thompson 51
GRIFTON MAYOR
Billy Ray Jackson 267
GRIFTON COMMISSIONER (Top 2 vote-getters win)
Johnny Len Craft 171
Richard L. Hill 256
Sammy Whitehurst 223
GRIFTON COMMISSIONER (Unexpired term)
Alton Clements 312
GRIMESLAND ALDERMAN (Top 5 vote-getters win)
Brian Cooke 19
Thomas (Tom) Dixon 20
Dan Price 19
Danny Strickland, Jr. 24
Gerald Whitley 17
SIMPSON VILLAGE COUNCIL (Top 3 vote-getters win)
David C. Boyd, Jr. 48
Brenda Gatlin Hawkins 44
Willie L. Sumerlin 37
WINTERVILLE MAYOR
Calvin C. Henderson 439
Douglas (Doug) Jackson 536
Tony P. Moore 393
WINTERVILLE ALDERMAN (Top 2 vote-getters win)
David Hooks 371
Johnny Moye 530
Jacob Parrish 403
John David Powell 228
Mark C. Smith 649
WINTERVILLE ALDERMAN (Unexpired term)
Ernest L. Cox 325
J. T. Crawford 377
Frank Fields 344
Linwood E. Strong 154
CANDLEWICK AREA SANITARY DISTRICT BOARD (Top 3 win)
Rita W. Leggett 17
Dale Panaro 17
Earl T. Wade 17
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Incumbent wins in Winterville
Winterville’s incumbent mayor Doug Jackson won re-election against challengers Calvin Henderson and Tony Moore.
Henderson had 439 votes, or 32.09 percent, to Jackson’s 536 votes, or 39.19 percent, and Moore’s 393 votes, or 28.73 percent.
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Incumbent mayors win in Farmville, Ayden, Fountain
Incumbent mayors in Farmville, Ayden and Fountain held off challengers to reclaim their seats.
Ayden Mayor Steve Tripp won his fourth term with 68 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Ivey Mewborn 750 votes to 347 votes.
Farmville Mayor Robert L. “Bobby” Evans defeated challengers Durwood T. Little and Bert Smith, receiving nearly 44 percent of the 1,132 votes cast. Evans received 494 votes, Smith received 452 votes and Little 181 votes.
Fountain Mayor Shirley A Mitchell received nearly 70 percent of that town’s mayoral vote, defeating her challenger, town commissioner Bruce Irvin Oakey 111 to 48 votes.
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Winterville race remains tight
Winterville’s mayoral race remained tight with totals in from one precinct and early voting.
Douglas (Doug) Jackson had 311 votes or 36.63 percent of the vote; Calvin C. Henderson had 306 votes or 36.04 percent and Tony P. Moore had 232 votes or 27.33 percent.
Henderson would be the town’s first black mayor if he wins.
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Smith, Blackburn, Mercer win
Greenville District 1 challenger Kandie Smith defeated incumbent Mildred Council by 12 votes with 14 of 14 precincts reporting.
In unofficial totals, Council had 494 votes, or 49.06 percent, to Smith’s 506 votes, or 50.25 percent.
Council is Greenville’s mayor pro-tem and has served on the council 22 years.
Mayor Pat Dunn led challenger Minnie Johnson-Anderson with 77 percent of the vote with 26 of 28 precincts reporting and At-large incumbent Bryant Kittrell led with 74 percent of the votes over Zeke Jackson.
Marion Blackburn won with 71 percent in District 3 with 8 of 8 precincts reporting and Calvin Mercer won with 85 percent of the vote in District 4 with 7 of 9 precincts reporting.
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Jackson ahead in Winterville
Incumbent Doug Jackson was leading in Winterville’s mayoral race with 1 of 2 precincts reporting. Jackson had 36.63 percent of the vote while Calvin Henderson had 36.04 percent of the vote. Tony P. Moore had 27.33 percent.
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Greenville races in early voting
Pat Dunn lead with 69 percent of the vote in the Greenville mayor’s race with 13 of 28 percent of the precincts reporting.
Mildred Council and Kandie Smith were tight with 9 of 14 precincts reporting. Council had 48 percent of the votes and Smith had 51 percent.
Marion Blackburn was ahead in Distrct 3 with 67 percent of the vote over Howard Stearn’s 30 percent. Four of eight precincts had reported
Calvin Mercer had 84 percent of the vote in District 4 over Matt Smith with 2 of 9 precincts reporting, and Bryant Kittrell hade 66 percent of the vote over Zeke Jackson with 13 0f 28 precinct reporting.
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Ayden, Farmville and Fountain races
Early voting had Steve Trip ahead of Ivory Mewborn in the Ayden mayoral race 155-68. Only One Stop and absentee had been counted.
Bobby Evans lead the Farmville mayoral race with 61 percent of the vote with only One Stop and absentees in. Shirley Mitchell was ahead in Fountain.
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More than 8,000 vote by 3 p.m.
More than 12 percent of Pitt County residents eligible to vote in today’s municipal election cast ballots by 3 p.m.
Elections Director Dave Davis said more than 5,200 people voted by that time, bringing the total number — including early and absentee ballots — to more than 8,100. That number remains lower than the voter turnout in 2007 by that time, but eclipses 2005 figures by several thousand.
The polls opened at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Davis was expected a swell of voters after 5 p.m. Many polling sites cited slow but steady turnout throughout the afternoon. Last-minute campaigning was in full swing at a few sites, including Oakmont Baptist Church, Eppes Recreation Center and Hooker Memorial Christian Church.
Election results will be posted as they come in from the 30 precincts at this Web site: http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Pitt/11024/17916/en/summary.html
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Voter turnout lags 2007 numbers
More than 2,200 Pitt County voters cast ballots in municipal elections before 11 a.m. today, according to Board of Elections Director Dave Davis.
Combined with nearly 3,000 one-stop early voters and mail-in absentee ballots, the total number of voters as of this morning is 5,151.
That number is lower than at this point in the 2007 municipal election, but that ballot contained a tax referendum that anyone in the county could vote on. This year’s election includes only mayoral and city council races.
Davis said he expects to see a swell during lunch but the biggest crowds should come out after 5 p.m. Everything is running smoothly so far and he said he’s not aware of lines at any of the 30 polling sites.
The polls opened at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m. Check the blog tonight for updates and results.
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Early voting ends. Election Day Tuesday
One-stop early voting sites closed Saturday afternoon, with more than 2,700 Pitt County municipal residents voting ahead of Election Day.
Of those, 180 took advantage of the ability to register and vote at the same time. This year’s election features only candidates for mayor and city or town councils, with no county-wide ballot initiatives.
“We did pretty well, compared to 2007,” said Pitt County Board of Elections Director Dave Davis. “People really started coming out (last) Wednesday.”
Just more than 2,200 municipal residents cast ballots during early voting two years ago, he said.
The figure is still a small percentage of what it could be: Only a 4 percent turnout so far. More than 67,900 Pitt County residents are eligible to vote in this year’s election.
Davis said having two additional early voting sites — one in the Greenville municipal building and another at Winterville’s fire station — definitely encouraged voters to cast ballots early. They were utilized more often upon opening, he said.
“Because they’re right in the cities, it’s easier to notice them and think about it.” Those two sites were paid for by the hosting municipalities, and therefore had a shorter run than the county sites at the Agricultural Center and the Community Schools Building.
The only thing to go awry during early voting was a number of people arriving at the city polling sites before they actually opened, or on weekends when they weren’t in operation. It was a non-issue in the scope of things that can go wrong, Davis said.
“It’s been almost scary how smoothly things have gone,” he said. “It’s been pretty quiet.”
Davis said the key is the amount of preparation, publicity and training that goes on before the polls open. The board will begin another round of delivering equipment and coordinating poll workers this morning for Election Day.
Municipal residents can vote at their assigned precinct between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. There are 30 total, following the consolidation of a few county sites:
Voters from the Arthur precinct will vote at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church.
Voters from Belvoir, Carolina and Pactolus precincts will vote in the GreenvillNo. 1 precinct at the VFW Building #7032.
Voters from the Falkland precinct will vote in the Greenville No. 3 precinct at the West Greenville Recreation Center.
Voters from Simpson A and Winterville East B precincts will vote in the Greenville No. 10B precinct at Unity Free Will Baptist Church.
A full list of precinct locations can be found on the Pitt County Board of Elections Web site, http://www.co.pitt.nc.us/depts/elections/
Election event A Get Out the Vote Rally will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Sycamore Chapel (the old Phillipi Church), 1607 Farmville Blvd. The event will include speakers, dancers and choirs to encourage voting. For more information call (252) 347-3234.
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Officials: Early voter turnout lower than 2007
New early voting sites are now opened in Greenville and Winterville.
Voting continues through Saturday at Greenville Municipal Building and at the Winterville Fire Station Community Room. Voting has been ongoing at the Community Schools and at the Agricultural Center since Oct. 15.
As of Friday, about 980 people had voted in the municipal elections. Pitt County Board of Elections Director Dave Davis said that figure is lower than he’d like to see.
Election officials expected at least 1,000 would have cast ballots at this point, he said. Two thousand people voted during early voting in 2007. That year, however, everyone in the county could vote because a tax referendum was on the ballot.
“We just look at last year’s (turnout) numbers and wish we were doing better,” Davis said.
The first week finished Friday at 5 p.m. Davis said everything continues to run smoothly with one exception — a handful of people stopped by the Community Schools Building last Saturday attempting to vote. Early voting locations are not open on the weekends with one exception: the final day, Oct. 31.
Two additional early voting sites will open this week. The Greenville municipal building, 201 W. Fifth St., will welcome voters beginning Monday at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the board of elections will open a fourth site at the Winterville Fire Station, 2593 Railroad St.
There have been 18 voters so far who registered upon arrival at the polls. One-Stop Early Voting Sites
Community Schools Building, Arts and Crafts Room, 4561 County Home Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., today through Oct. 30, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31.
Pitt County Agricultural Center Auditorium, 403 Government Circle, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., today through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31.
Greenville Municipal Building, 201 W. Fifth St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31.
Winterville Fire Station Community Room, 2593 Railroad St., Winterville, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31.
Early voting locations are not open on the weekends with one exception: The final day, Saturday, Oct. 31.
For more information or to see a sample ballot, visit www.co.pitt.nc.us/depts/elections/
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Greenville mayoral debate tonight
A debate between Pat Dunn and Minnie Johnson-Anderson, the two candidates for Greenville mayor, is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at J.H. Rose High School.
Some questions will be prepared in advance but there will be an opportunity for attendees to address the candidates. The debate will center around youth issues but also include current local concerns.
The event is expected to last one hour.
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Early voting starts smoothly
Elections officials reported a smooth start to one-stop early voting Thursday, with more than 100 Pitt County municipal residents casting ballots.
Forty voters cast ballots at the Pitt County Agricultural Center and another 71 at the Community Schools Building. Three people took advantage of the same-day registration option.
Those sites are open to anyone in Pitt County, though Davis said they’re most steadily used by Greenville residents. In 2007, Winterville and Ayden residents frequently voted there later in the early voting period. Davis said Farmville residents have used them less often.
There is one name on the ballot that won’t be counted if selected: Chris O’Connell for Greenville City Council District 3. He officially withdrew from the race Wednesday afternoon, Davis said.
O’Connell, 36, is an ECU student who told The Daily Reflector in July he was running to improve public safety, transportation and city growth and planning. He has not participated in any candidate forums or other election events to date.
The former candidate said Thursday that it was a hard decision but he’s just not in the right place to serve on City Council.
“I feel the issues facing Greenville right now need someone willing to see it through,” O’Connell said. “It may take four to six years, just not the next two.”
He said he wasn’t willing to make that kind of commitment at this point, but said he would consider running again in the future.
Freelance writer Marion Blackburn, 48, and contracting foreman Howard Stearn, 25, remain the choices for District 3. O’Connell said he is confident in each of their abilities and wishes them luck.
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District 3 candidate withdraws
Chris O’Connell, a candidate for Greenville City Council in District 3, withdrew from the race Wednesday afternoon, according to Pitt County Board of Elections Director Dave Davis.
O’Connell, 36, is an ECU student who told The Daily Reflector in July he was running to improve public safety, transportation and city growth and planning. His name is still on the ballot but will the individual vote will not count if selected. O’Connell has not participated in any candidate forums or other election events to date.
Freelance writer Marion Blackburn, 48, and contracting foreman Howard Stearn, 25, remain choices for District 3 residents.
Latest comments
Henderson,, you think the water tower park naming might of damage your chances of being mayor… your coments on that was a direct link on what kind of leader you would have become.. time to go away.. c ya
... read the full comment by mr.knowitall | Comment on Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville Read Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville
Doug, Congratulations!! You have proven that you have positive leadership and the good people of Winterville are saying by their votes A JOB WELL DONE!! Keep up the good work.
... read the full comment by Jean | Comment on Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville Read Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville
I am the father of one of the young candidates, I am just as proud of him the day after the election as I was the day he called me to tell me that he had filed to run. In a city the size of greenvill only about 10 people ran for office and of these 3 were
... read the full comment by Proud Father | Comment on Two new faces join Greenville council Read Two new faces join Greenville council
Mayor Jackson: Congratulations! You have done a great job and ran a good, honest race. It is nice to see that sometimes the well-deserving really do end up on top. Mr. Moore- you are a good man too. But, your continual, over-the-top desire to seek office,
... read the full comment by Bob | Comment on Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville Read Jackson: Positive leadership wins in Winterville