Half of Maysville candidates participate in election forum

MAYSVILLE — Although all 12 Maysville municipal candidates had been invited, only six of those running for mayor and the town board participated in a candidate forum last week.

“These guys didn’t bother to show up for their job interview,” town board candidate Dan Ryan told an audience of about 40 people gathered in the Maysville Elementary School gym Thursday night.

Ryan, along with fellow town commissioner candidates A. Jane Freeman, David J. McKay and Elwood Morris, and mayoral candidates Wayne Sayland and incumbent Mayor James D. Harper, attended a forum hosted by The Jones Post and The Free Press of Kinston.

None of the three incumbent town commissioners — David F. Chapman Jr., Bobby Flowers and Brenda Foy — attended. Challengers Janet G. Baker and Pam Yancey did not attend either. Town board challenger Schumata Brown was out of town on a business trip and could not attend the forum.

Each candidate in attendance gave an opening statement, answered questions submitted by The Jones Post and from the audience, and then gave a closing statement.

“I’ve done everything I said I would do for you,” Harper said, citing his 10-year tenure as mayor, during which he has secured federal and state funding for infrastructure projects such as streets and sewage treatment facilities. “There’s millions of dollars that have come into this town, and that’s not by accident.”

Sayland, owner of Sayland Funeral Home and a 33-year town resident, is also chairman of the town’s planning board, president of the Maysville Rotary Club, leader for the Maysville Development Corporation and involved in many other community groups

“No, I’m not a native; I’m an import, but for 33 years I have been your neighbor and I have given back to this community in every way possible,” he said.

Freeman urged residents of all backgrounds to come together for the community, to keep Maysville safe and clean, and to help its youth.

“We have a good (elementary) school here, but there are a lot of things we can do better for our schools, and the basic foundation of education is so important,” she said.

McKay also urged community cooperation and volunteerism.

“We need volunteers for a lot of different things, and together we can get it done,” he said.

Morris stressed his work ethic and commitment to treating all residents fairly.

“I do treat everybody as an equal … and if I get elected to the town board I’m going to continue that philosophy,” he said.

Ryan spoke of the need to work with the community’s youth and develop a second generation of municipal and county leaders.

“My hope is that, when I leave (office) is we have a new generation of leaders ready to take my place and take us places I’ve never even dreamed of going,” he said.

David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 or danderson@freedomenc.com.