WELDON — The first female mayor of Weldon is up for the challenge. “I am humbled that people would support and entrust me to be their mayor,” Julia Meacham said. “They have given me the opportunity to help take Weldon to a higher level and to do things for citizens and progress forward.”

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Meacham defeated longtime incumbent Johnny Draper 237 votes to 204 in the municipal election Tuesday.

She said she knew it would be a challenge when deciding to run for mayor earlier this year.

“It was a challenge that I accepted,” she said. “I am ready to meet the challenge, work with the board, bring good things to Weldon and help us progress.”

Meacham, who has served 10 years on the town commissioners and was mayor pro tem for six of those years, thanked her supporters who put their faith and trust in her.

Draper thanked all of the volunteers who worked not only on this campaign for him, but also past ones as well. He also wanted to thank all of the employees of the town.

“I appreciate what they do for the city of Weldon,” he said. “The job they do is what makes the mayor and council look good.”

The voters have spoken, Draper said, and he abides by that. “I’ve enjoyed my public service for the town of Weldon,” he said.

But, he added, even though he will not be mayor, it doesn’t mean he will stop supporting Weldon. “When the new mayor takes office, I will become a citizen and will continue to do all I can to support the town of Weldon,” he said. “It is all about Weldon. It’s not about Johnny Draper.”

In the town commissioner race, incumbents Martha Alford and Dr. Stanley Edwards returned to office with 335 votes each. Newcomer Susie M. Adams defeated incumbent Andy Whitby with 238-206.

Alford said she was “very excited and elated.” “I am looking forward to how we can move Weldon forward,” she said.

She added she is looking forward to working with the mayor. “It has been a challenging experience,” Alford said. “I am happy it turned out the way it did.”

She said she was grateful for all of the encouragement and help from her supporters, friends and family.

Edwards said he was “very very excited” about being reelected and knows it is going to be challenging the next four years.

He noted the town’s tax base is down and one priority will be to get it back up.

“It will be our efforts to recruit businesses and get the tax base up and to help reduce the tax rate for citizens,” Edwards said.

Adams said she was “excited and elated” about her win.

“I am ready to get in there to help make Weldon a better place to live,” she said.

Whitby said he appreciated all of the people who voted for him.

“It’s disappointing I didn’t get re-elected but I will continue to work for Weldon,” he said.

Whitby added that he is a property owner in downturn Weldon and involved with the NC STEP program. “I have a vested interested in seeing Weldon progress,” he said. “I will continue to work toward it.”

But, he said, in two years, look for his name on the ballot in Weldon.