Smithfield municipal
candidates:
their backgrounds and
priorities
Five incumbents
presently serving on the Smithfield Town Council
face opposition in the November 4 Municipal
Election. Only the mayor is chosen by voters
throughout the town; four council members are
chosen from separate districts by voters who
reside therein. Candidates compete free of
political-party affiliation.
Three of the council's seven members are chosen
by all the town's voters and currently hold
seats that aren't up for election again until
2027. The mayor serves a two-year term. All
council members are elected to serve four-year
terms.
Incumbent Mayor Andy Moore is
being challenged by Stuart Ashby Lee, a resident of
South Second Street who's employed by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Mr. Moore is
seeking a sixth two-year term as mayor. A
resident of Cypress Point at Holt Lake, he's
employed by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
For Town Council, Gettys Cohen Jr. and Felicia C. Baxter filed
for election to the District 1 (East
Smithfield) seat.
Dr. Cohen, who resides on Aspen Drive, is a
retired dentist who was appointed by the
council in mid-August to fill the remaining
few months of the term of Marlon Lee, who died
suddenly in May. Ms. Baxter, who resides on
Massey Street, is an executive with Scouting
America in Raleigh.
Challenging
incumbent Sloan Stevens in District 2 (South
Smithfield) are
two candidates: Elilzabeth Anne Temple and Erin Keller. Ms. Temple, who
resides on Chestnut Drive, is licensed as a
public-school teacher. Ms. Keller, who resides
on Beechwood Drive, is owner of Fit 24, a
fitness gym in West Smithfield. Mr. Stevens, a
Chestnut Drive resident, is sales manager for
his family's business, Stevens Sausage
Company. He's seeking a second four-year term
on the council.
Challenging
incumbent Travis Scott in District 3 (North
Smithfield) is
Abrilla O. Robinson, an insurance
broker who resides on North Fourth Street. Mr.
Scott, who's seeking a third four-year term in
office, is a paramedic who serves as a
battalion chief with Johnston County EMS. He
resides on Parkway Drive.
Challenging
incumbent David Barbour in District 4 (West
Smithfield) is
Doris Wallace, a retired teacher
who's a substitute with Johnston County Public
Schools. She resides on Roderick Drive. Dr.
Barbour, seeking his third four-year term on
the council, is a career and technical
education consultant with the N.C. Department
of Public Instruction. He resides on Whitley
Drive.
The candidates were asked by the Weekly
Sun to list their priority concerns
regarding matters confronting Town Government
along with plans for addressing those
concerns. Here are their responses (edited
for consistency)....
FOR MAYOR
 STUART ASHBY LEE
Smart growth
that protects our town and our vital
farmland and natural resources
My plan:
• Implement
smart growth planning that ties development to
available infrastructure and
farmland-protection goals.
• Create
agricultural preservation zones and incentives
for landowners to keep their property in
production.
• Require
impact assessments so growth pays its fair
share, not the taxpayers.
• Aggressively
pursue state and federal infrastructure grants
to modernize water, sewer, and road systems
before expanding more housing.
Revitalizing
our downtown and town-wide local economy
through supporting small businesses
My plan:
• Hire a town
Economic Development Director to lead business
recruitment, retention, and investment
efforts.
• Develop a
town-wide Economic Development Plan that
includes downtown revitalization, neighborhood
business corridors, and tourism.
• Launch small
business grants and incubator programs to help
local entrepreneurs open and thrive right here
in Smithfield.
• Partner with
Johnston Community College, the Chamber, and
the N.C. Main Street program to provide
technical assistance, shared marketing, and
workforce training.
Protecting
residents from rising costs
My plan:
• Conduct a
Utility Affordability Study to understand rate
pressures and find fair, sustainable
solutions.
• Develop a
Resident Assistance Fund to help households in
temporary need.
• Pursue energy
efficiency and renewable partnerships to
reduce long-term utility costs for both the
town and residents.
• Advocate for
grants and subsidies that protect seniors and
low-income families from rising living costs.
Building
partnerships for a stronger Smithfield
My plan:
• Create a
Public Partnerships and Grants Task Force to
identify federal, state, and private funding
for infrastructure, housing, and community
programs.
• Strengthen
relationships with USDA, the N.C. Department
of Commerce, and regional non-profits to build
capacity and bring resources home.
• Partner with
local schools and universities to develop job
pipelines and leadership opportunities for our
youth.
 ANDY MOORE
Streets
Repair and paving of our streets is one of
the top priorities. We just completed
projects on a couple of our major
thoroughfares: Outlet Center Drive and Third
Street. In addition, with the assistance of
the current Town Council, I was able to
champion and secure in the budget an
historical and unprecedented $2.4 million for
needed street projects. The state provides
some funding for local streets via Powell Bill
funds distributed to local governments;
however, it's simply not enough to keep up
with our needs. As your mayor, I will continue
to budget for streets and discuss with our
state and federal representatives the need for
help to identify funding that will assist with
building new and maintaining existing streets.
Wise and
efficient spending
Since being elected, my top priority has been
making sure Smithfield spends taxpayer money
wisely and efficiently. We have maintained
strong services without raising taxes. We
worked hard to reduce our
electrical rates. Let me emphasize:
Smithfield has the lowest residential electric
rates in Johnston County. These actions have a
real and direct impact on the well-being of
our citizens and I am proud we've done this
while maintaining high-quality services,
investing in infrastructure, and supporting
public safety. I will continue reviewing
budgets and policies to cut waste and keep
spending smart.
Infrastructure
Like many towns, Smithfield faces
challenges with aging water and sewer
infrastructure. I'm proud to say that under
my leadership, we haven't just talked about
this, but we have taken action and are
moving forward with initiatives. We
developed a plan to repair old lines and
install new ones while also making
improvements to our facilities. We have been
able to make a substantial investment in our
infrastructure since I became mayor.
I will continue to make
infrastructure improvements a priority. As
mayor I will ensure that we continue to plan
for new and existing lines and facilities as
well as continue to tap into my experience
and established relationships with our
county, state, and federal leaders to seek
and secure grant funding to support our
needs while striving to keep our utility
rates as low as possible.
Continue to work to
attract more business and industry
Now that we have some new residential
growth, we are in a better position to
attract and support a variety of new
businesses such as restaurants, grocery
stores, breweries, retail shops, and
downtown businesses. Smithfield already
offers a lot for a town our size, but
people desire more (45% of respondents to a
survey indicated that they wanted
amenities such as retail, dining, and
recreation). I'm very proud that since
becoming mayor, we have had approximately 50
new businesses open in Smithfield.
I will also continue to focus on attracting
new business and industry while partnering
with our current employers to expand so that
people can have more options to work in
the town where they live. Again, not
just talking, but acting: We worked on
ordinances, partnered with landowners,
collaborated with county and state leaders
and developers to plan, secure property,
provide infrastructure, and make a reality
the new West Smithfield Business Park,
landing the No. 2 company on the Fortune 500
List: Amazon. This one business
far exceeded hiring projections and now
provides 1,000 good paying jobs right here
in Smithfield, and we are not done.
We hired an economic development
partner to work directly with Chris Johnson
at the Johnston County Economic
Development Office and with business,
industry, county, state and federal
government decision makers to explore
and pursue economic opportunities in
our community.
Homelessness
Over the last few years Smithfield has
experienced an increase in homelessness,
much like other towns and cities across
the United States. Unfortunately we are not
immune to it. Honestly, I don't have
the answers, but I'm not going to shy away
from it. Addressing homelessness requires
compassion, coordination, and long-term
solutions. As a community we must work
together through partnerships with
non-profits, faith-based organizations, and
county, state and federal agencies to help
these individuals while also holding people
accountable for their actions and ensuring
that our public spaces remain safe and
welcoming for everyone.
FOR COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1
 FELICIA BAXTER
My focus is to continue to listen to the
community and turn those conversations into
action. I believe Smithfield thrives when
every voice is heard and represented.
During our
previous Community Listening Sessions, the
community not only expressed their concerns
but they also established solutions. Together
we discussed four areas; Community Safety,
Youth and the OG (Original Generation);
Neighborhood Revitalization and Health and
Wellness.
Community
safety
Strengthen communication between residents and
law enforcement, address flooding and traffic
concerns, and support programs that build
trust and prevent violence.
Youth &
"Original Generation"
Expand mentorships, youth activities, and
job-training opportunities that help our next
generation succeed.
Neighborhood
revitalization
Promote housing rehabilitation, beautification
projects, and community clean-ups that restore
pride across East Smithfield.
Health &
wellness
Encourage events and initiatives that bring
people together to live active, healthy
lifestyles.
Economic
growth & workforce development
Too many
residents commute outside of Smithfield for
work, while local small businesses struggle to
grow and thrive. As a Town Council
representative, I will work with Johnston
Community College, local employers, and
workforce development boards to create
training-to-employment pipelines that prepare
both youth and adults for sustainable,
good-paying careers.
I also would
like to work to establish partnerships with a
Small Business Resource Program to help
entrepreneurs navigate licensing, marketing,
and grant opportunities – ensuring that
Smithfield’s growth remains balanced,
inclusive, and community-focused.
 GETTYS COHEN
Community
first
I
believe in fostering a town where every
voice is heard, every neighborhood is safe
and beautiful, and every family has access
to the resources they need to thrive.
Smart growth
& sustainability
I
envision a Smithfield that grows responsibly
– preserving our natural beauty, investing
in green infrastructure, and planning for a
future that balances development with
sustainability.
Economic
vitality
I’m
committed to supporting local businesses,
attracting new industries, and creating job
opportunities that empower our residents and
strengthen our economy.
Education & youth empowerment
Our
children deserve the best. I will champion
initiatives that support our schools, expand
youth programs, and prepare the next
generation for success.
Transparency
& trust
I pledge
to lead with integrity, communicate openly,
and ensure that town decisions reflect the
values and needs of our people.
FOR COUNCIL,
DISTRICT 2
 ERIN KELLER
I propose that adequate funds be
provided to our police, firefighters,
and EMS before even one more home is
annexed. When annexation occurs,
additional funding must be provided to
our first responders commensurate with
the number of additional people
requiring services. In my estimation,
current funding is well below that
which is required for our present
needs.
I propose that
we never claim eminent domain nor
condemnation of a man's property to
the sole benefit of a developer.
I propose that
the money the council intends to
give for the Tobs' baseball team
instead be used to attract and
retain retail and dining
establishments downtown. There are
many that can't believe the town
could not in some way incentivize
Heidi's to stay in Smithfield.
I propose the
town make it a priority to enforce
traffic regulations on the
tractor-trailers speeding through
town and failing to maintain their
travel lane. The mayor ordering our
police force to write parking
tickets to those avoiding the trucks
by pulling up on the curb is not the
answer.
I propose that the traffic pattern
be switched to the NCDOT
recommendations which will allow for
public parking where individuals
won't have to fear for their lives
due to the heavy truck traffic on
Market Street. The DOT will
bear most of the cost for these
changes.
I propose all
streets and parking adhere to NCDOT
standards. Never again should
private contractors, i.e. Lumos, be
allowed to "fix" damaged roads with
temporary "cold patch" asphalt which
will quickly fail, allowing water to
penetrate, causing damage to the
sub-grade and forcing the citizens
to bear the cost of a much more
expensive repair.
I propose that the spending
earmarked for the many "pet"
projects be put on hold until all of
our through streets are paved and
put in satisfactory condition,
including First, Second, and Market
streets.
 SLOAN STEVENS
Streets
Our town maintains over 60
miles of streets. I will continue to support
strong investment in maintaining and improving
them. Last budget year, we spent over $1
million on resurfacing projects. This year,
we’ll spend just over $2 million – all from
our Fund Balance account, not borrowed funds.
That Fund Balance has been built up through
years of conservative budgeting and sound
financial management by our council, town
manager, and staff.
Existing infrastructure
As our town grows, we must not overlook our
aging infrastructure – both above and below
ground. Our staff does an excellent job
responding when pipes burst or drains clog,
but I believe we need to take a more proactive
approach. I would like to see the council
continue pursuing grant funding opportunities
and allocating more resources toward upgrading
and replacing existing systems before they
become emergencies.
Economic and residential
development
Over the past four years, it has felt like
most of what comes before the council is
residential development – and while that’s not
entirely true, we’ve approved around 4,000
units. Growth is healthy, but we must be
careful not to become too heavily weighted
toward residential development.
I am currently working with staff to analyze
where our tax revenue comes from.
Understanding that breakdown will help us make
informed policy decisions that balance
residential and commercial growth. Residential
development costs more to maintain – it
requires trash and yard waste collection,
water, sewer, parks, and increased road
maintenance. Commercial growth, on the other
hand, broadens our tax base and supports
services residents rely on.
With the amount of
residential growth already approved, I’d like
to see the council and staff place greater
focus on economic development.
That includes exploring grants, incentives,
marketing, and outreach efforts to attract the
types of businesses our citizens have been
asking for. The town’s role is to create
opportunity, and it’s up to businesses to
seize it and provide the products and services
our community wants.
 ELIZABETH
ANNE TEMPLE
In order to make Smithfield, N.C. a better
place to live, my approach will center on
fostering open communication, encouraging
community involvement, and ensuring
transparency in all decision-making
processes.
By prioritizing the needs of our residents
and collaborating with local
organizations, I aim to create
opportunities for economic growth, enhance
public safety, and improve the overall
quality of life for everyone in our town.
Through thoughtful leadership and a
commitment to inclusiveness, we can work
together to build a stronger, more vibrant
Smithfield for current and future
generations.
FOR COUNCIL, DISTRICT 3
 ABRILLA
ROBINSON
The candidate has not responded to this
invitation to make a statement about her
priorities. You may read some of her ideas on
her campaign website: www.peopleforabrilla.com>
 TRAVIS SCOTT
Fiscal
accountability
I believe every taxpayer dollar should be
spent with purpose, transparency, and
measurable benefit. My goal has always been to
keep our budgets balanced and efficient while
maintaining the high-quality services our
residents expect.
Affordable, reliable utilities
I’ve worked hard to keep power, water, and
sewer rates fair for all customers. Our
utility systems must remain dependable and
cost-effective, and ratepayers should not
carry the burden of inefficiency or
mismanagement.
Controlled
and responsible growth
I have been one of the strongest voices on the
council opposing unchecked, cookie-cutter
development that threatens to overwhelm our
infrastructure and diminish Smithfield’s
small-town appeal. Too many subdivisions have
been approved without proper attention to
their long-term impact on traffic, utilities,
and public safety. North Smithfield residents
are already feeling the burden of congestion
and rapid growth. We must require developer
impact fees so that new
development pays its fair share for the added
strain on town systems and services. Growth
should be managed, measured, and sustainable –
not at the expense of those who already call
Smithfield home.
Public
safety support
As someone who has served in emergency
services for many years, I understand the
importance of fully supporting our Fire, EMS,
and Police departments. These men and women
are the backbone of our community, and I will
continue working to ensure they have the
resources and staffing needed to serve
effectively.
Transparency and community trust
I am committed to keeping town government
open, accessible, and responsive. Residents
deserve clear communication and confidence
that their elected officials are acting in the
public’s best interest.
FOR COUNCIL, DISTRICT 4
 DAVID BARBOUR
Connecting West
Smithfield to the rest of town
For too long, residents of West Smithfield
have had no safe way to walk or bike to enjoy
our amenities – like the library, SRAC, shops,
or restaurants – without using a car. I was
once told there was little we could do, but
early next year that will change. A new
multi-purpose path connecting West Smithfield
(at McDonald’s) to downtown will soon be
completed. This is a significant step forward,
though we still need sidewalks along Wilson’s
Mills Road to fully achieve our goal of safe,
connected neighborhoods.
Revitalizing West Smithfield’s business
community
A thriving community needs strong local
businesses. We’ve begun to see new shops and
restaurants opening in West Smithfield, and
this growth has been supported by responsible
residential and commercial expansion.
Developments like Amazon have brought over
1,000 people a day to our area, increasing
visibility and opportunity for local
businesses. Several new companies are already
exploring sites in West Smithfield, and
continued growth will bring the kind of retail
and dining options our citizens have wanted
for years.
Making Smithfield a destination
We’ve invested heavily in parks and recreation
to enhance our town’s quality of life.
Improvements include the renovation of the
amphitheater, the new downtown mini-park by
the library, and upgrades in East Smithfield
such as the walking trail, fishing pond, and
splash pad. These projects help make
Smithfield a place where families want to live
and visitors want to come.
Keeping Smithfield financially strong
Fiscal responsibility has been a cornerstone
of our success. This council has paid down
debt early, maintained one of the lowest tax
rates in Johnston County, and still delivered
major improvements, including paying off SRAC
ahead of schedule, completing the
amphitheater, and investing $2 million in
roads last year with another $2 million
planned this year. We’ve also secured a
collegiate baseball training team, the Tobs,
which will bring tens of thousands of visitors
annually and provide exciting local
entertainment.
 DORIS
WALLACE
Smart
growth & housing
This encourages responsible development
and expanding affordable housing for first
time buyers.
Walkability & safety
Several things should be improved
including improving sidewalks, lighting, and
crosswalks. We owe it to our citizens to
ensure our neighborhoods are safer and fully
accessible.
Parks & recreation
There is much room for investing into
green spaces to promote eco-friendly
environments and gardens for community
shared access to nutrition. Also, youth
friendly recreational areas, to promote
family life and growth for the Town of
Smithfield.
Support for local businesses
We can grow our town’s economy by
encouraging the development of Small and
Locally Owned Businesses. Promoting these
small businesses will incentivise more
community events and engagement.
Infrastructure upgrades
Prioritizing road repairs, storm water
management and Broadband access ensures road
and traffic safety and safety in the event
of inclement weather concerns, while also
ensuring digital access is solidified for
all citizens regardless of their rural
placement.
Youth & education programs
There is a great need to improve our
overall learning community within the Town
of Smithfield. Partnering with local
schools, and nonprofits to expand
afterschool and job training
opportunities/apprenticeship can lead to a
better quality of life for our youth and
adults, while opening up more opportunities
for greater career growth for our working
demographic.
Clean & green
initiatives
It is important to keep the Town of
Smithfield both attractive and conducive for
its residents. Launching community cleanup
efforts and exploring sustainable energy
will improve the overall quality of our town
and increase tourism, which build revenue
for City affairs. We’re committed to
preserving Smithfield’s rich family
traditions by supporting local farmers and
generational farm owners.
Doris Wallace - Smithfield Weekly Sun
Statement
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