Kerr files for mayor in New Bern

A retired serviceman and former alderman candidate will challenge Tom Bayliss in New Bern’s race for mayor.

Frank Kerr, who unsuccessfully ran for alderman in 2005, has now set his sights on the city’s top job. Four years ago, Kerr vied to represent New Bern’s sixth ward, but was defeated by Alderman Dana Outlaw.

While Kerr filed Wednesday for the mayor’s post, Outlaw filed again to represent Ward 6, ending speculation that he, too, would run for mayor.

Kerr, who is 75, says he decided to run for office because he doesn’t agree with the way the city is spending.

“Our money’s being given away for everything except the people who ought to get it,” he said. “All you hear about is water fees, sewer fees, electrical rates going up. But they find $750,000 for a 300th birthday. They’re going to wish they had that money back.”

Kerr has lived in New Bern since 1980, when he came to work with a construction company doing work on the Brices Creek bridge. He served 20 years in the Navy and lived in Newport News, Va., before retiring in Craven County.

“We’ve got people who have been on the city board forever, and all they’ve done is take us down the road,” Kerr said. “They are trying to build a metropolitan city with hog-farm engineering.”

Kerr said he would like to see New Bern’s government change such that the mayor would vote on all matters, not only in case of a tie.

“I’d like to see our city government run for the good of the public, and not just for spending,” he said. “I’m a conservative. But you can’t complain about what’s going on if you’re not willing to try to fix it.”

Outlaw had been weighing the option of running against Bayliss, but on Wednesday, he said he looked instead for “a healthy competition” in the sixth ward. Outlaw said his decision to run for alderman came after a lot of thought.

“It’s the best fit for my family at this time,” Outlaw said.

Candidates have until noon Friday to file for office.

Nikie Mayo can be reached at (252) 635-5665 or nmayo@freedomenc.com.