Tuesday’s vote may set stage for future

Sunny skies greeted voters Tuesday morning as the polls opened and the fate of dozens of municipal offices was set to be decided. The election is expected to set the path for the next few years in local government.

(A list of polling places may be found on page 2. The results of today’s election will be posted on our Website www.rrdailyherald.com and a complete report will be in Wednesday’s edition.)

There are several hotly contested races, especially several mayoral contests.

In Roanoke Rapids, Drewery N. Beale, is seeking another term as mayor. The former police chief is fighting for his political life against challenger Emery Doughtie, a financial adviser and community leader.

At the core of the Beale vs. Doughtie race is The Roanoke Rapids Theatre project and a $21.5 million bond indebtness.

Beale has stressed decades of service to the Roanoke Rapids community and his love for the city and its people. Admitting some mistakes were made, Beale has affirmed his desire to make the necessary changes and lead the city to a new era of prosperity.

Doughtie points to the mistakes and while saying he believes the mayor and Council had the city’s best interests at heart, they erred. He told an election forum, “I would have taken a long hard look before signing anything which would have put the city in the position it’s in now.”

Two other Roanoke Rapids City Council veterans face challengers on Tuesday. Councilman Jon Baker is being opposed by former police chief Greg Lawson and City Councilman Ed Deese faces Suetta Scarbourough.

In Weldon, longtime Mayor Johnny Draper finds himself locked in a challenge with another longtime public servant, Council member Julia Meacham.

The two differ on the direction the community should go and who should lead the city. Meacham and her support backs the idea of hiring a town administrator. Draper questions the wisdom of the idea, worried about how Weldon would afford the municipal executive.

In Enfield, Warnie Bishop and Barbara Shaw Simmons vie for the mayor’s job while in Littleton Patrick MacRae and Betty Bobbitt Willis face each other for the top post. In Scotland Neck, incumbent James Edward Mills Sr. is seeking his second term. He is opposed by Raymond Watson.

If you have questions about voting, contact the Halifax County Board of Elections 252-583-2391 or the Northampton County Board of Elections 252-534-5681.