SILER CITY — Three District 2 residents are asking Town of Siler City to consider them to fill the vacant seat of long-time commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Cheek, who died in May.
Each of the candidates — Albert Reddick, Travis Patterson and Norma Boone — sent letters to the town expressing interest in the appointment.
The board still needs to determine how to move forward, but commissioners have discussed using the same procedures it used when filling vacancies on the board in the past. This will likely include a regular or special meeting, which will be open to the public, where the commissioners will interview each of the interested parties, likely occurring in September.
Albert Reddick has been a mayoral candidate in three previous elections, each time losing to current Mayor John Grimes. Reddick is an author and former business owner who holds several degrees, including a law degree and a doctorate. He’s the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization Becoming One based in Siler City that offers tutoring for children and adults. Reddick says he is interested in filling the District 2 seat “to be a positive constructive voice for the residents of District 2 and present their concerns and needs to the Board of Commissioners.”
“My business experience, educational background and transformational leadership attribute will enable myself to propel all stake holders toward obtainable success,” Reddick said. “In addition, I am well versed in the dynamics of this city’s government, livelihood and also bring a board cultural tool kit of diverse experience.”
Reddick believes his experience as a mayoral candidate provided a “a wealth of knowledge of the City’s budget and budget needs and its sociological and cultural dynamics.” He also said the “broad support” he’s received from residents of the town and the district make him the best choice for the position.
If selected, his goals include enhancing “the mutual respect of law enforcement and residents to lower crime” while providing positive role models to the children of Siler City, improving and increasing affordable housing in the area and seeking to make the town “great and prosperous” while “unifying a diverse community.”
Travis Patterson, at 37, has lived in Siler City most of his life. He works at Chatham Literacy as a Volunteer Coordinator and for Chatham County as a supervisor at the Family Visitation Services of Chatham County. He also owns and operates SEEDS in Siler City, where he provides off-site supervised visitation for families affected by family violence or separation and skill-building and leadership opportunities for youth and young adults. He is heavily involved in the community working with Communities In Schools, Siler City Development Organization which encourages investment in downtown, the Chatham County Health Alliance, and Chatham Organizing for Racial Equity, and last year received the West Chatham NAACP’s Humanitarian Award for Youth Leadership.
Patterson believes his 15 years of experience in community and human-services allows him to understand people, the community and “the importance of both” in the overall functioning of the town, and that as an advocate for various populations, he has a demeanor that is “objective and diplomatic” which has proven very effective throughout his career
Patterson said as a younger community leader — he’ll be 38 in December — he is “experienced enough to have a well-rounded and objective approach to leadership, but still young enough to be connected to our youth and young adults” and help “model the importance of positive civic engagement” in the community.
If appointed, Patterson said his goals would include education to increase the community’s awareness and participation, helping the town to grow responsibly, to increase job opportunities and stimulate the local economy and to ensure resources are available for equitable and affordable housing.
“I have the experience, the knowledge, the willingness to continue to learn and grow, and the personality. I also have the vision, as a life-long member of the community, to help Siler City become the vibrant town that it has the potential to be,” he said.
Norma Boone is a lifelong resident of Siler City, attending and eventually working in the county’s school system — including as the principal for Jordan-Matthews High School. She has continued her career in education and currently serves as the executive director for teacher instruction for Chatham County Schools. She has been active in the community serving on numerous boards including BB&T Bank, Chatham County Group Homes, Chatham Habitat for Humanity and Communities In Schools. She also serves as the co-president of the Chatham County Association of Teachers and a member of the West Chatham NAACP. As block president for her community, she participates in the Neighborhood Watch Program and was one of the first community groups to participate in National Night Out.
She said she’s seeking the District 2 seat because she wants Siler City to grow and prosper. She also wants to “extol the virtues” of Siler City’s “quaintness while accentuating its potential for commerce.”
She said her loving and kind heart for Siler City and the people combined with being a great listener and problem solver make her best suited for the job. She said her decisions for the district will always be measured and made with the greater community in mind.
“I look for the best possible solutions and do not have a problem agreeing to disagree, or even changing my opinion based on what is best for the residents of the town,” Boone said.
She said her priorities, if appointed, would include community safety, community relationships and community voices. She interested in developing more activities and programs for the town’s youth and look at “what policing looks like in Siler City” in the hopes that positive interactions will build positive relationships.
The board will likely discuss the next steps and decide on an appointment for the District 2 seat sometime in September. The next meeting is on Sept. 8, but the agenda for that meeting has not yet been determined. According to Siler City Town Manager Roy Lynch, he is waiting on the board to determine how it wants to proceed.
Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.
