Two incumbents up for re-election with Snow Hill Board of Commissioners

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SNOW HILL - Voters in Snow Hill will head to the polls Tuesday to fill two at-large seats on the town’s Board of Commissioners. Incumbents Lorrine Washington and Donnell Hagans face challengers Diane Jones Andrews and Michael Rhodes. The top two vote-getters will serve four-year terms.

According to the town’s website, “Commissioners are responsible for passing ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing members to volunteer boards, hiring department heads, and appointing the town clerk/revenue collector, town attorney, and finance officer. The commissioners appoint a town manager to oversee day-to-day operations by employees or through contract arrangements for water, sewer, law enforcement, streets, recreation, solid waste collection and recycling, land use planning, animal control, nuisance codes, cemetery, and fire protection.”

Neuse News reached out to all four candidates and asked them to briefly describe their background and their vision for the Town of Snow Hill.

Lorrine Washington: "I'm running again because the residents deserve the best service possible with no hidden agendas. I feel Snow Hill needs a leader with experience and a proven track record to run our town. My key components are to listen and respond to the needs of the people in a timely manner, which is critical to me. I pledge to continue to do that.

"I'm interested in seeing progress happen for the town and more economic development for small business, if not, then big business," Washington continued. "[Also] making sure our residents are safe and have affordable housing because it is a need as well as bringing jobs for tax-base purposes.

According to Washington during her tenure, she has worked to help make Snow Hill a better community. She's been a proponent for the relocation of a new town hall, automated meter readers, bike-pedestrian project and downtown revitalization.

Diane Jones Andrews: "I decided to run because I wanted to help make a difference in my hometown. I feel my background and experience give me the skills needed to serve the citizens now and in the future."

Andrews retired from the U.S. House of Representatives after 26 years of service. She spent time in Congress with the late Walter B. Jones, Sr., and Eva Clayton.

Many of Andrews' civic duties currently include executive director of Greene County Interfaith, co-chairperson for the North Carolina Food Bank Advisory Board, vice president of the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce and member of the Greene County Department of Transportation Advisory Board and Greene County Senior Center Board.

Michael Rhodes: "I have always been interested in serving the community and I've been serving the community for quite a while. I believe that serving your community is something that you need to do."

Rhodes has 45 years of public health experience, including serving as Greene County Public Health Director from Jan. 2010 to Nov. 2018. He is a current member of five boards - Lenoir/Greene United Way, Greene County Red Cross Advisory Board, Greene County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (appointed by county commissioners), Greene County Community Foundation (past president) and Snow Hill Economic Development Task Force.

Multiple attempts to reach Hagans went unanswered.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For questions related to voting in Greene County, please call the Greene County Board of Elections at 252.747.5921.