2022 Elizabeth City Voter Guide

Elizabeth City voters: make your voice heard in this year’s election for Mayor & City Council!

WHAT DOES THE CITY COUNCIL DO?

The Mayor and other members of the Elizabeth City City Council make a wide range of decisions affecting your life. The City Council sets policies and priorities and oversees the many functions of local government, including:

• The Police & Fire Departments
• Economic & Community Development
• Anti-Discrimination Ordinances
• Tax Rates & the City Budget
• Streets, Sidewalks & Road Repair
• Historic Preservation

• Zoning & Building Code Enforcement
• Affordable Housing
• Recreation, Parks & Arts Programs
• Water & Waste Disposal
• Town Govt. Employee Wages & Benefits
• Appointments to Boards & Committees

Elizabeth City City Council members are elected in nonpartisan races. The Mayor is elected citywide, while the other members of the City Council are elected from wards. Click here to find out which ward you live in.

Candidates for Elizabeth City Mayor
(vote for one candidate)

Kirk Rivers

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Background: Attended Elizabeth City Public School System, Elizabeth City State University. City councilman for 10 years. Owned several businesses in Elizabeth City

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Improve Streets (too many potholes), work on lowering Electric Rates and taxes

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Jobs for youth: We have to make sure we have programs and jobs for youth to keep them engaged year round.

Website: RiversForMayor.com

Christina Williams

Occupation: Pasquotank PAC Executive Director

Background: I have managerial and administrative experience of more than 20 years in businesses throughout the United States. I have owned multiple businesses that have prospered. I am blessed with strong social skills and get along well with most people. I know Roberts Rules to run meetings efficiently.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
We must reconcile the city checkbook and audit the last two years since taxpayers have no written evidence of where their money has been spent. We cannot allow raw sewage to be pumped into our waters and must address our Wastewater Treatment issues asap. We must allow citizens to have a voice.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Jobs for youth: I would increase the amount of trade school support so that instead of students leaving our city when they graduate, they can stick around in the community. Companies wouldn’t have to hire from outside the city if we trained for what the companies need and we coordinate with our Economic Developers.

Website: VoteChristinaWilliams.com

Jeannie Young

No response from candidate

Candidates for Elizabeth City City Council – 1st Ward
(vote for two candidates)

Johnson Biggs

No response from candidate

Joe Peel

Occupation: retired educator

Background: I have a long history of public service in our community serving both as superintendent of schools for eight years and Mayor for three terms.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
We have many challenges facing our city and my first priority will be to hire a strong city manager. We have just experienced a large tax increase and I believe to prepare for the new manager we need to hire a consulting firm to conduct an efficiency study of all city departments.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Our community is experiencing a housing shortage and the city has about 80 city lots that have been acquired over the years for taxes. I believe we need to create a private/public partnership to build high end low income housing in these areas.

Candidates for Elizabeth City City Council – 2nd Ward
(vote for two candidates)

Javis Gibbs

Occupation: Longshoreman

Background: Lifetime resident of Elizabeth City. I was educated in the ECPPS school system. I graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Elizabeth City State University. I’m a husband, father and grandfather. I’m a man of faith and a people person that cares about the citizens of Elizabeth City.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
If elected, my desire is to bring civility and unity back to City Council. We need a council that cares for the people. To me that means: C-collaboration, A-accountability, R-respect, and E-equality. My belief is that these attributes will enhance the overall quality of life for all citizens.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Jobs for youth: The youth are our future and we must insure they’re equipped to receive and carry forth the baton when it’s passed to them. We need to develop more job training programs and internships that will provide the tools necessary for gainful employment and workforce success for our youth.

Jon Nettesheim

No response from candidate

Chris Ruffieux

No response from candidate

Rose Marie Whitehurst

Occupation: Nurse

Background: Resident for over 20 years, exp with managing HOA, exp managing multimillion dollar projects with healthcare, MBA, current coordinator for Souls Feeding Ministry Elizabeth City.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Appropriate allocation of budget, expanding services for the indigent population

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Elizabeth City has a shortage of affordable houses. I believe this population will continue to grow in our current economic state. I would support a Homeless shelter and expanding housing options.

Candidates for Elizabeth City City Council – 3rd Ward
(vote for two candidates)

Michael E. Brooks

Occupation: Minister

Background: Minister—Army Veteran—Graduate of NC Justice Academy—Graduate of Mid Atlantic University—Six Term City Council Member overseeing a sixty-eight million dollar budget and presently seated as 3rd Ward representative

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Maintaining the safety of the most vulnerable of our city, especially children and seniors, while not forgetting our citizens as a whole

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Jobs for youth: Our city has a wealth of youth which include two four year universities—a junior college and at least five schools that graduate high school students. The bottom line is all this means nothing if they have to leave to find employment elsewhere after graduation. We all must bring ideas to the table.

Katherine W. Felton

Occupation: Retired Director of Human Resources

Background: Established the 1st Eliz. City Human Resources Dept. Hired and furthered careers of hundreds of City Employees for 36 years. Attended over 865 City Council Meetings observing as Council made decisions which affected citizens. Concerned about bettering the livelihood of EC residents.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Develop a calm, deliberate, and respectful working relationship among the members of council; Be Visionary and responsible in our oversight of City finances as EC becomes a bigger magnet for tourism and industry; Assure that City gov. is open and transparent, also respecting executive sessions.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: I’d like for the Adm. Of Public Safety to be unquestionably equal and fair; Encourage regular open communication sessions as the Police Department listens to the concerns of citizens through a serious effort of Community Policing and citizens trust that Police are fair in their dealings with them.

Charles Hill

No response from candidate

Kem Spence

Occupation: NCDPS

Background: Four terms on City Council, experience in budgeting and leadership. Licensed Minister and community feeding programs. Supervisor for NC Department of Public Safety for approx. 24 years. Father of two Daughters and married to Tammie Spence for 30 yrs.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Fundamental fairness, Infrastructure for the city, Homeless, bridging the Gap with county and City.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: I feel like communication is the key and having a good rapport with the citizens in the community by having Town Hall meetings.

Website: Facebook – Third Ward Community Corner

Evelyn F. Strader

No response from candidate

Candidates for Elizabeth City City Council – 4th Ward
(vote for two candidates)

Barbara Ann Baxter

Occupation: Pharmacy Technician

Background: I am 36, a former member of the NAACP Legal Redress Committee, activist in the community which I live fighting social injustices for 8 years. I have a 2 year associates Degree in General Education, working on my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with the Minor in Forensic Science. Mother of two.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Top priorities as follows: 1. Weatherization Assistance Program, it enables low income families/homes to be able to reduce energy bills by making homes energy efficient. Putting polices in place to help families in need. 2. Economics of our city, helping to grow our HBCU, Coast Guard and our locals.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: Review boards, Mental health wellness checks monthly and before and after a major case, such as homicide, raids etc. More interaction with the people to help the community gain trust and help with transparency of Police accountability.

Website: facebook.com/people/Barbara-Ann-Baxter/100070568565878/

Roger Jones

Occupation: Retired Nutrien Ag Solution

Background: Leadership

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Standing up for what’s Right! The Citizens will have a Voice!

Bennie Murphy

Occupation: retired law enforcement

Background: I am a veteran having served 2 years in the US Army. I served 26 years in law enforcement reaching the top position of Chief of Police from 1989-1997. I supervised up to 25 personnel, managed budgets and worked with local government on a daily basis.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
Crime, code enforcement, professional government. Citizens want the same things, public safety, opportunity, access to government. By prioritizing these issues we will positively impact these goals of the community.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Affordable housing: Too much demand, too little inventory causes disproportionately high costs. Too few jobs, too little income causes too little home ownership. Too much demand, too little code enforcement leads to high rents, low quality housing. My priorities listed above address all these issues.

Donald Edward (Merdock) Spencer, Sr.

Occupation: Auto Technician

Background: I served in the U.S. Army for 11 1/2 years. Then became a heavy equipment operator before becoming an auto technician. Currently, I am the recruiting officer for Division I, District I of the American Legion as well as being the past Post Vice-Commander of Post 223 American Legion.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
My top priority if elected is to try to unify the city. This will enable us to work better so our youth and citizens will learn the importance of having different ideas that will help create a better community. Also, our streets and sidewalks need improvement for a better place to live and work.

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Jobs for youth: One of the major issues in our community is lack of jobs and activities for our youth. With more businesses offering internships for our youth and with more community activities this will keep our youth off the streets and create a better living environment for all our citizens.

Johnnie B. Walton

no response from candidate

Sandra E. White

Occupation: Small Business Owner

Background: First I’m a mother and grandmother. I have a Bachelor and Masters degree in Theology. As a small business owner I have experience in property management. Also, I have volunteered at several organizations in Elizabeth City.

Please describe your top 2 or 3 priorities if elected:
1.) Evaluate the electricity bills; 2.) Police and Citizen relationships; 3.) Infrastructure

Please choose any ONE issue below and answer how you would address that issue (affordable housing, police accountability, or jobs for youth):
Police accountability and community relations: There is a systemic dichotomy between police accountability and community relations, in which the two should be operating with or through synergy. This could be addressed by being more transparent with body cam footage, and with more ethics and cultural police training.

Voting Tools

Questions about Elizabeth City’s election?

Contact the Pasquotank County Board of Elections at 252-335-1739