.jpg)
.jpg)
SILER CITY — Siler City Mayor John Grimes retained his seat Tuesday by a comfortable margin, winning 62 percent of the vote and earning another term in office after defeating challengers Jackie Adams and Albert Reddick.
Grimes has served in the role since being appointed to the seat in 2013 after more than a decade on the Siler City Board of Commissioners. A 50-year resident of Siler City, he’s a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired businessman. In his campaign, he championed his record — including $32 million in grants the town has received during his tenure — and removing the burden on taxpayers for expanding and upgrading the town’s water and sewer capacities, as well as job creation.
The 2019 election was Reddick’s third attempt to secure the town’s top spot. He ran a campaign focused on unifying a diverse community, economic growth that would bring jobs that paid a living wage, revitalizing downtown, and affordable safe housing, and received 23 percent of the vote.
Adams, a first-time candidate and Siler City business owner, campaigned on revitalizing Siler City, improving water and sewer quality and capacity, bringing quality business and jobs to the town and bringing affordable and sustainable housing.
According to unofficial results, Grimes received 468 votes, Reddick came in second with 176 votes, and Adams garnered 110 votes, or just under 15 percent.
Grimes awaited the results at the Siler City polling sites with supporters including friends and family. Rosemary Lentzen, a supporter Grimes’ wife Cecelia called his “number one vote getter,” was on hand as the polls closed to gather numbers and support her candidate.
“The best qualified person won the race,” Lentzen said. “A team effort made it possible.”
Grimes, who received a bear hug from his granddaughter, Sophia, upon hearing the news of his re-election, was pleased to have the opportunity to serve another term.
“I serve a great town and I am privileged to be Siler City’s mayor,” Grimes said. “I had a great team supporting me in this election and I am thankful for their strong and dedicated support and the voters who responded with such a tremendous vote of confidence. The voters have allowed me the privilege to continue to serve and to lead a remarkable board of commissioners. I am happy and I am grateful.”
Siler City District 3 Race
Curtis Brown unseated incumbent Michael Constantino, taking the District 3 seat on the Siler City Board of Commissioners. Brown received 146 votes with Constantino taking 40 votes, based on preliminary counts. The third District 3 candidate, Timothy (Cookie) Brown garnered 13 votes.
Curtis Brown, a retired town employee, brings utility management and planning board experience. His candidacy was based on a desire to update Siler City’s water and wastewater treatment systems, to encourage economic growth and work on affordable housing. He ousted Constantino, who was first elected to the board in 2011.
“Thank you to all the voters and my committee,” Brown said Tuesday night. “I appreciate the other candidates. Anyone willing to commit to service is commendable.”
Three of the four seats up for election on the Siler City Board of Commissioners were uncontested — incumbent Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cheek (District 2) and Commissioners Bill Haiges (District 4) and Thomas (Chip) Price (at-large) will all return to their positions the board.
Reporter Casey Mann can be reached at caseymann@chathamnr.com