THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 5, 1995 TAG: 9511050074
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
A hotly contested mayoral race in Manteo and a liquor-by-the-drink referendum in Southern Shores may mean higher-than-average voter turnouts Tuesday when residents of five Dare County towns go to the polls for municipal elections.
``In Southern Shores, the turnout is usually around 50 percent,'' said Lynda Midgett, Dare County's coordinator of elections. ``But this year, because of the mixed drink referendum, we expect it will be a little higher.''
Here is a look at the races in each municipality:
MANTEO: Commissioner Lee Tugwell and former Mayor John Wilson IV are seeking the mayor's post in this Roanoke Island community. Voters will decide who can best maintain the small-town character of the town, while coping with increasing pressures from developers to expand Roanoke Island's commercial base.
Eight candidates are campaigning for three seats on the Manteo Board of Commissioners. Current Mayor Bill Buell and incumbent Commissioner Melvin Jackson are seeking re-election. Challengers include former Mayor Mollie Fearing; former National Park Service ranger Bebe Burrus Woody; attorney J. Bowen ``Bo'' Ross Jr.; political newcomer Sarah Owens, whose husband, Bobby, chairs the Dare County Board of Commissioners; Terry McDowell and Stuart Wescott.
NAGS HEAD: Five candidates are running for two seats on this beach town's five-member Board of Commissioners. Incumbent commissioners Harry Thompson and Wayne Gray are vying for the seats with former Nags Head Fire Chief Doug Remaley, retired Naval engineer Chuck Thompson and Dare County Emergency Management Services employee George Farah.
How the town collects its garbage, the administrative structure of the town, and a new beach high school are key issues in this race.
KILL DEVIL HILLS: Voter interest may be more intense this campaign because of a crowded field. Mayor Terry Gray is challenged by Mayor Pro Tempore Duncan Wright. Seven candidates are seeking two seats on the five-member commission.
Lurana Cowan and Bill Morris, both appointed to fill vacancies on the board, are seeking election for four-year terms. Former Mayor Joe Deneke, along with Jeff Shields, Rex Meads, George ``Buck'' Marks, James ``Jimmy'' Dean Hanks and Jackie Harris.
Taxes are a major concern in this beach town. At 44 cents per $100 in property value, Kill Devil Hills has the highest municipal tax rate in Dare County. Also at issue are curbside recycling and what to do about pollution flowing into Buzzard's Bay.
KITTY HAWK: Two incumbents, Clifton Perry and Carl Parrott, are running unopposed to regain their seats on this five-member town board.
SOUTHERN SHORES: Candidates for this northern beach town's council have a simple philosophy. With the lowest property taxes of any municipality in Dare County, they say, ``If it ain't broke, don't fix it.''
Mayor Kern Pitts and appointed board members Gerald Beshens and Dick Wood are joined by challengers William ``Scott'' Fletcher and Robert Kenan Jr. on the ballot. Three seats are up for grabs on the five-member board.
The big issue on Tuesday in Southern Shores is the referendum on the sale of mixed drinks within the town limits. If voters approve the sale of liquor by the drink, Southern Shores will become the fourth Dare County town to allow such sales.
Polls open at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
A look at the Races
For copy of graphic, see microfilm.
KEYWORDS: ELECTION NORTH CAROLINA OUTER BANKS CANDIDATE by CNB