After several weeks of looking at road signs, receiving lots of mailings and being bombarded by advertising, Bladen County voters went to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6 for the midterm elections. Almost 13,000 votes were cast, which is 55 percent of eligible voters.
When the results were posted Tuesday night, only one incumbent fell short in a bid to be re-elected and voters, once again, soundly defeated a local sales and use tax, based on unofficial returns.
“I just wanted to thank each and every person that has supported me during this election,” said Sheriff Jim McVicker, who was elected for a second term by defeated former deputy Hakeem Brown. “I absolutely could not have done it without the support of the amazing people of The Mother County!”
Cory L. Singletary won one of three at-large seats on the Board of Education along with incumbents Dennis Edwards and Vince Rozier. Incumbent Tim Benton finished fourth.
On Sunday, Nov. 11, many people in Bladen County paused to thank veterans for their service to the United States by protecting its freedoms both at home and abroad.
Veterans such as John B. Guions, who is the commander of American Legion Post 404 in Elizabethtown, who served 13 months in Vietnam. “It was very dangerous,” he said.
Baldwin Branch Missionary Baptist Church was among several churches, civic groups and schools, including Bladen Community College, honoring military veterans. Unfortunately, hurricane damage caused the annual celebration in Elizabethtown to be cancelled.
As for damage caused by Hurricane Florence in September, Elizabethtown approved preliminary work for the town cemetery that was severely damaged by the storm.
In other government meetings, Clarkton may get an electronic gaming business and Bladenboro is set to begin the process to revoke a wastewater permit for a poultry plant.
Bladen Community College announced four finalists in its search for the school’s next president. Dr. William Findt is retiring at the end of the year after 10 years as president.
The District Attorney’s office announced Wednesday, Nov. 7 that Chancy Askew will face the death penalty after he was charged in the shooting death of Highway Patrol trooper Kevin Conner on Oct. 17 in Columbus County. Conner was a Bladenboro native.
In nearby Robeson County, the search continued for 13-year-old Hania Aguilar, who was abducted from her Rosewood Mobile Home Park in Lumberton last week. The SUV involved in the abduction had been found.. Contact law enforcement if you have any information about the case.
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