Lenoir County Commission welcomes new members

It's official.

Three new Lenoir County commissioners were sworn into office Monday, marking the beginning of their four-year terms and a new face to local government.

Republican Tommy Pharo and Democrats Reuben Davis and Linda Rouse Sutton joined their fellow commissioners - Chris Humphrey, George Graham, Claude Stroud and Jackie Brown - on the commission for the first time.

During the meeting, the new board elected Graham to serve its chairman and Stroud as its vice-chairman in 2009. The chair positions are for one-year terms.

Graham officially welcomed the new commissioners to the board. The new chairman said the board will strive to work as one team by seeking common goals.

"We will do everything in our power to meet the needs of Lenoir County," Graham said.

Pharo, Davis, Sutton and Brown were elected or re-elected on Nov. 4 to serve on the Lenoir County Commission. Pharo defeated Republican Earl Harper in the May primary to advance while former commissioner Paul Taylor Jr. was also defeated in the same primary in his re-election bid for an at-large seat.

Brown, a Democrat, ran unopposed for re-election for her seat while former commissioner Claude Davis decided not to run for re-election.

Both Davis and Sutton are serving on at-large seats while Pharo will serve Lenoir County District 3.

Graham acknowledged the commissioners' election races were "heated." The chairman suggested that as the new county commission moves forward, partisan politics be left behind.

"We are not making Republican or Democrat decisions," Graham said. "We need to make the best decision for Lenoir County so we can move forward."

The new Lenoir County Commission will meet shortly after Christmas to get more acquainted with each other.

Davis, Sutton and Pharo said Monday that they are ready to get to work on the county's business.

"I am excited and committed to do what is best for Lenoir County," Pharo said.

Davis, who last served as Lenoir County commissioner in 1982, said sitting on the board again feels "natural."

"I feel comfortable on the board and look forward to looking out for the taxpayers of Lenoir County," Davis said.

Like Davis, Sutton has previously served on a local board - the Lenoir County Board of Education. Sutton said Monday she is honored by Lenoir County voters' decision to elect her as commissioner.

"I promise to serve to the best of my abilities," Sutton said.