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Meet
the candidates for Smithfield's
mayor & 3 seats on the Town
Council
EARLY
VOTING STARTED TODAY (OCT.
19);
MUNICIPAL
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY,
NOV. 7 |
The Town
of Smithfield requires election of its mayor every
two years. Members of the Town Council are elected
to four-year, staggered terms; as a result, three
of the seven seats are up for grabs this year and
they are positions filled by all the town's voters
rather than the four seats to be filled by each
district's voters in 2025.
For mayor, Andy Moore is seeking re-election to a
fifth two-year term in office.
He is being opposed by Marlon Lee, a councilman
representing the East Smithfield District whose
seat is not up for election this year.
Three incumbent council members – John Dunn,
Stephen Rabil, and Roger Wood – are seeking
re-election with opposition from three
challengers: Felicia Baxter, Stuart Ashby Lee, and
Doris Wallace.
The Weekly Sun asked the candidates to
provide biographical information about themselves
and a statement on their goals for Town Government
if elected. Here are their responses:
CANDIDATES
FOR MAYOR
 MARLON
LEE
Residence: Lemay Street
Age: 49
Education:
Graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School and
St. Augustine's University with B.S. degree in
business administration
Employment:
Clayton High School teacher, dean of students,
girls basketball coach, assistant director of
athletics
Civic
engagement:
Town
Councilman since 2013
Member, Smithfield Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity; past president, Smithfield Progressive
Men's Club; scholarship chairman, Johnston County
Citizens Association; vice president, Johnston
Central High School Alumni Association; member,
East Smithfield Improvement Organization
Mr. Lee's goals:
As a candidate for Mayor of Smithfield, my
motivation stems from our town's imminent economic
growth and increasing population, which demand
fresh perspectives and new leadership. Having
proudly served on the council for a decade, it's
clear that we must break free from outdated
practices and embrace innovative approaches to
address these challenges.
One of my specific goals is to foster diversity
within all town departments, starting with our
Police Department, so that they truly reflect the
vibrant community we reside in. Moreover, it is
crucial that we consistently communicate to all
residents and employees that they are valued and
respected, not just during election periods.
Additionally, I am deeply committed to putting an
end to backdoor politics, ensuring transparency,
fairness, and integrity in all our town's affairs.
We need an administration that's accountable to
the people year-round, not just during campaign
seasons.
 ANDY MOORE
Residence: Cypress Point
Age: 52
Education:
Graduate
of Smithfield-Selma High School and N.C. State
University (two terms on the University Student
Council)
Employment:
Senior management in Quality Operations, Pfizer
Inc. (pharmaceutical manufacturer); previously
vice president of Century 21 Suburban Real Estate
Inc.
Civic
engagement:
Mayor
since 2015, Town Councilman 1999-2015
Graduate, Leadership Johnston Program; past
president and treasurer, Smithfield Jaycees; Johnston
County YMCA volunteer
soccer coach, board member, and chair of We Build
People Campaign; N.C. League of Municipalities
Board of Directors; Smithfield-Selma Chamber of
Commerce Membership Drive Team; Johnston County
Blue Ribbon Committee on Growth; chair, Town of
Smithfield Economic Development Committee;
Smithfield Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and
girls soccer coach; Johnston County Public Schools
Innovation Council; current member, board of
directors, Triangle J Council of Governments
(renamed Central Pines Regional COG); current
member, Transportation Planning Committee of the
N.C. Upper Coastal Plain Rural Planning
Organization; current member, Johnston County
Water/Sewer Regionalization Study Committee
Mr. Moore's goals:
I will continue to strive to make sure that
taxpayer money is spent in a wise and efficient
manner, and I will continue to routinely review
budgets, policies and operating procedures in
order to identify, reduce, and/or illuminate
unnecessary wasteful spending. Since becoming
mayor we have provided top-notch customer service
without raising property taxes and our General
Fund Balance (our savings account) has skyrocketed
to 78%. This has enabled us to borrow money at
lower interest rates, purchase new equipment,
expand and modernize our facilities and to
complete much needed capital projects per our
Capital Improvement plan.
My No. 1 goal is to increase staffing within the
Police Department. I will work with our new police
chief and town staff to implement ideas that will
assist to recruit and retain police officers.
My No. 2 goal is to increase the number of streets
that we pave per year. I will work with staff,
council, and our state and federal representatives
to improve the maintenance, repair, and paving of
streets. We need to review, revise, and/or develop
new plans and strategies to get more streets
resurfaced in a shorter amount of time.
My No. 3 goal is to attract new business/industry
to Smithfield. I will continue to work to grow
existing and to attract new businesses and
industry so that more of our residents will
be able to work in the same town where they live.
I will continue to collaborate with our state,
federal, county, and economic development partners
to bring new development to the West Smithfield
Business Park as well as to all areas of the town
where business, commercial, and industry are or
can be located.
CANDIDATES
FOR COUNCIL
 FELICIA
BAXTER
Residence:
East Massey Street
Age: 52
Education:
Graduate of Athens
Drive High School in Raleigh, N.C. State
University with B.A. in communications, American
Intercontinental University with master's degree
in business administration
Employment:
Talent
acquisition specialist with N.C. Department of
Health and Human Services; part-time certified
group-fitness instructor and coach; previously,
marketing and promotions coordinator in television
and radio, and later an employee of a black-owned
staffing agency
Civic
engagement:
Previously, Wake
County school volunteer and member of Raleigh
Civitan Club; currently, special events volunteer
for Silk Productions (Raleigh), volunteer run
coach and trainer, Smithfield Head Start
volunteer, Johnston Central High School National
Alumni Association Summer Feeding Program and Food
Pantry volunteer, and Johnston County Public
Schools volunteer
Ms.
Baxter's goals:
I believe the time is right for a fresh voice and
perspective for our residents (to) continue to
expand on the community's foundation.
Together, we can inspire and empower our
community like never before.
Let’s create a Smithfield where everyone has a
voice and a chance to thrive.
My primary goals and focus will be:
•
Promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for all
of Smithfield.
• Supporting and promoting safety.
• Unifying communities by working together.
• Supporting youth engagement through mentorships,
education, as well as resources.
 JOHN
A. DUNN
Residence:
Eden Drive
Age: 49
Education:
Graduate
of Smithfield-Selma High School and East Carolina
University with B.S. degree in business
administration with concentration in accounting
Employment:
Dunn, Dunn & Oakes, Certified Public
Accountants
Civic
engagement:
Town Councilman since 2015, mayor pro tem since
2019
Past president, Central Johnston County Rotary
Club; volunteer fireman, Town of Smithfield
Mr.
Dunn's goals:
When I first ran in 2015, Smithfield had been
through some tough years. When I got on the
council, we had virtually no new growth for 20+
years. The economy and environment have changed.
Johnston County is one of the fastest growing
counties in the state. With this rapid growth that
is heading into the towns, we must plan for the
future. Goals:
• Fill the vacancies within the Police Department.
• Improve the aging infrastructure within the
town.
• Continue to apply for grants to assist with the
town’s needs.
• Continue to work with our representatives at the
state to get state funding for more of our local
projects.
• Continue to improve services to the citizens
while maintaining our tax rate.
 STUART
ASHBY LEE
Residence: South Second Street
Age: 48
Education:
Graduate
of Brookland Cayce (S.C.) High School and the
University of South Carolina with degrees in mass
communication & journalism and education
Employment:
A
program manager with the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service Office of the Chief;
previously worked
with NOAA Fisheries, Department of State,
Minority Business Development Center, South
Carolina Farm Bureau, and Lexington (S.C.)
School District Two, and as a team leader
for the White House Special Council for
Strong Cities Strong Communities
Civic
engagement:
Former chair,
Smithfield Appearance Commission; current board
member, Downtown Smithfield Development
Corporation; SSS Robotics Team mentor; served on
the Principal's Advisor Committee for the
Innovation Academy; participated in Prison
Ministry at the Johnston Correctional Institution
Mr.
Lee's goals:
I understand that our elected officials work
full-time, but that should never mean that a door
is closed. If elected, and though I too work
full-time and am a committed volunteer to numerous
organizations, I will work assiduously to
accommodate our boards and community members with
my time.
I’m also running because I know about a tremendous
cannon of opportunities and programs to support
and address aging infrastructure, financial, and
technical assistance to support economic
development, opportunities through HUD to
establish Community Housing and Development
Organizations to help with affordable access to
housing, opportunities to grow and support our
emergency services, the availability of programs
to build capacity for proactive public safety
support, proven practices to secure environmental
sustainability, opportunities to address
transportation, community health, and
opportunities to build upon and celebrate
diversity and inclusion.
These are my goals: infrastructure improvements,
access to affordable housing, economic
development, public safety, community health, and
a sustainable Smithfield.
 STEPHEN
RABIL
Residence: East Wilson Street
Age: 64
Education:
Graduate of Smithfield-Selma High School and East
Carolina University with honors
Employment:
President of Yellow and Checker Cab Company,
serving 48 years in all roles
Civic
engagement:
Town Councilman
since 2015
Retired volunteer with Smithfield Emergency
Services after more than 39 years of service
Mr. Rabil's goals:
To continue the work we’ve done as a council for
the last eight years.
We have reduced electrical rates to lower than
Duke Energy Progress and all other municipalities
in the county.
We have expanded the water plant to insure we have
adequate water for now and future growth.
We have added a second fire station on the west
side to enable our response time to decrease
considerably when minutes count.
We have opened our first dog park, Miracle League
Park, refurbished amphitheater, and splash pad as
new amenities to the town.
We have added a second electrical station on
Brogden Road to have as a backup for emergency
needs.
These
are just a few of the many improvements made.
I will continue to serve on the employee benefits
committee to make sure our employees are looked
after.
 DORIS
WALLACE
Residence: 108 North Roderick Drive
Age: 75
Education:
Northeastern
Illinois University and Governor’s State
University in Illinois, with a bachelor's
degree in social work and a master's degree
in psychology and counseling
Employment:
Currently,
a substitute teacher for Johnston County Public
Schools; previously, a docent for the Ava Gardner
Museum, social worker with the Department of
Children and Family Services in Los Angeles,
California, teacher of special-needs children for
Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada,
organizer for Service Employees International
Union Local 721 in Southern California
Civic
engagement:
Volunteer community liaison for the Town of
Smithfield's Fifth Street Community Garden; member
of the Smithfield Planning Board; organizer
of Smithfield's Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Parade; served as an
assistant district governor for Rotary
International; volunteer with Habitat for
Humanity; volunteer with Sleep Heavenly Peace
(which builds and give beds to homeless families);
policy fellow and mentor with N.C. League of
Conservation Voters Foundation; founder of
Johnston County African-American Caucus; organizer
of local 9/11 celebration for first responders;
participant in neighborhood and highway clean-up
campaigns; provider of personal-care items for
Harbor's shelter for women; member of board of
Community and Senior Services of Johnston County;
volunteer with Smithfield Salvation Army;
volunteer with N.C. Medical Assistance Program
Ms.
Wallace's goals:
My main focus is twofold:
First, I want to work with the council members to
improve the quality of life for all of
Smithfield’s citizens. When others visit
Smithfield and see that all of its diverse
citizens are thriving, hopefully this will help
attract growth and prosperity for the city.
My second focus is to improve the infrastructure
for all of the citizens of Smithfield. Again, this
will attract new and growing businesses in our
area. This improved infrastructure includes: (a)
installation of sidewalks in our neighborhoods,
which would increase and improve safety and
recreation for all, and (b) upgrading of our aging
drainage system, which will prevent wastewater
contaminants from leaking into the water tables.
As we all know, the safety of our water is of
vital importance to the quality of all life in our
city.
 ROGER
WOOD
Residence:
218 Whitley Drive
Age: 53
Education:
Graduate
of Smithfield-Selma High School; attended Johnston
Community College
Employment:
Sales
account manager for Coca-Cola Consolidated;
previously, manager and
buyer for JR Tobacco; also, owner and manager of a
family business
Civic engagement:
Town
Councilman 2013-2017 and 2019-present
Volunteer coach for Smithfield Parks and
Recreation, former member of town's Recreation
Advisory Committee; former volunteer and coach for
Johnston United Soccer Association
Mr. Wood's goals:
• Work with local schools' student governments to
help prepare our future local leaders.
• Fill Police Department vacancies.
• Continue to evaluate our street resurfacing and
paving needs. Continue to be proactive in working
with the state and local government agencies for
more funds to be able to go toward resurfacing and
paving projects.
• Continue to strive to grow residentially and
industrially to provide a steady sustainable
growth for the future of Smithfield.
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