Spring Lake residents elect new mayor
SPRING LAKE — A new mayor was elected in Spring Lake on Tuesday night in the town's municipal election.
Residents voted for newcomer Kia Anthony, who received 333 votes, according to unofficial Board of Election results.
Anthony's competition, Alderwoman Fredricka Sutherland, received 237 votes, and Alderwoman Jackie Jackson, received 93 votes. There were three write-in names.
The town's current Mayor Larry Dobbins did not file for reelection.
Dobbins has been mayor for the past four years. He was on the Spring Lake Board of Aldermen for two years.
Other changes for Spring Lake include newcomers Robyn Chadwick, Raul Palacios, Adrian Jones Thompson and Marvin Lackman joining incumbent Sona Cooper on Spring Lakes Board of Alderman.
Chadwick received 411 votes, incumbent Cooper received 364, Palacios received 360, Thompson received 339 and Lackman received 337.
Vidalena Husamudeen received 334 votes, incumbent James O'Garra received 288 votes, Tony Burgess received 255 votes and Stachia Woodard Arnold received 228 votes.
There were 12 write-in names for the Board of Alderman.
As the Local Government Commission took over Spring Lake’s finances last month, Anthony will be one of the town’s authorized officials to sign transactions as the town’s new mayor.
Anthony, 40, is an Army veteran, entrepreneur and secretary of Young Democrats.
During an Oct. 25 meeting, Anthony said she thinks the Local Government Commission intervening in the town's finances provides transparency for Spring Lake.
“It is a chance for new leadership to step forward and set a vision and direction for not only our financial outlook but for a Spring Lake that is thriving and growing,” she previously said. “We must all recognize the extreme significance of this decision and how it will continue to affect our town in the future. Now is the time to prepare for the return of financial control to the town of Spring Lake. It is not a time to point fingers or place blame.”
Anthony said that as mayor of Spring Lake she pledges to work with the Local Government Commission along with the town’s elected officials to lead Spring Lake back to a healthy financial state.
She said she is also committed to transparency, developing an economic strategy for the town, evaluating business incentives, bringing the community together and working with Fort Bragg and providing resources for military-affiliated residents.
Jackson said she is wishing the best for Spring Lake because she is still a resident of the town.
“Spring Lake has always been a passion of mine,” she said. “Do I think I failed? No. I did what I can do. I’m still going to fight for Spring Lake to the best of my ability and still do what I need to do.”
Jackson said the voters have spoken and she does not plan to run for office again.
She said she plans to remain active through her nonprofit Teens Do Care Inc., which is geared toward youth and feeding the community.
“I will stay active in the community,” she said.
Sutherland, who’s been a Spring Lake taxpayer for 42 years, served 16 of those years on the Board of Alderman.
“I would like to thank the citizens of Spring Lake,” she said. “ It has been an honor serving for the past 16 years, with honesty, integrity and the best interest of each citizen.
"I wish the new mayor, Kia Anthony and the Board of Alderman much success. I’m praying for the betterment of the town of Spring Lake. I now look forward to traveling, relaxing and enjoying life with my family.
"Thanks, and many blessings to all.”
More: Dobbins won't seek re-election in Spring Lake mayoral race, according to elections data
More: 'We still have no answers': State tries to get Spring Lake's books in order amid investigation
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Unofficial Board of Election results report Anthony received 333 votes
