First Posted: 1/15/2009

Mayor's sister joins council in Rowland

The 2003 municipal election brought winds of change to Parkton, with the voters ushering in a new mayor and two new council members.
In the upset of the night, Parkton Mayor Tim Parnell was denied his fourth term in office when he lost to Robert Adams, who garnered 89 votes to Parnell's 58.
Adams, 40, a building automation technician for Yamas Controls, filled one of six positions up for grabs on the Parkton council.
“I'm incredibly excited,” Adams said. “I have a big job ahead of me and I think we have a board I can work with on the big issues facing Parkton -- issues like the budget and the water issue.”
Parnell was gracious in defeat, offering to help Adams make a smooth transition.
“I'll be there for whatever help he or the new board needs,” Parnell said. “I just want what's best for Parkton. I'm not going anywhere -- I'll still be there when needed.”
Adams is joined by newly elected Ted Brinson and Michele Hall, who claimed victory along with incumbents Fran Meinert, Larry Hagin and Michael Proctor in a tightly contested race. Meinert received the most votes with 97, followed by Brinson's 96. Hall got 73 votes, while Proctor tallied 69, and Hagin's 67 votes just beat out challenger Mary Bybee's 65.
“I'm very happy that the voters had that confidence in me,” Brinson said. “I'll work hard to not let them down.”
Hagin considered himself fortunate to win and pledged to work with the new board members.
“I'm just happy to win,” Hagin said. “And I hope everybody can work together on the new board.”
Rowland
It wasn't exactly a case of brotherly and sisterly “love” in Rowland, despite the fact that Mayor Harris McCall won his fourth term and will be joined on the board by Allen Jean McCall-Love -- McCall's sister.
Love and Bob Lowry Jr. beat incumbent Betty Thompson for the two available seats on the Rowland Town Council -- incumbent Councilman Ricky Stone chose not to run. But McCall, who received 220 of 225 votes in the uncontested mayoral race, did not give a glowing endorsement for his sister.
“I don't think relatives should be on the council,” McCall said. “But I will work with her to do what is best for Rowland.”
McCall-Love led with 185 votes, Lowry tallied 144 and Thompson 121. There were five write-in votes.
McCall-Love said she is ready to help lead Rowland, and says she can work with her brother.
“I'm going to feel everything out before I start tackling the issues facing Rowland,” McCall-Love said. “And I have no problem working with my brother. I just hope he can handle it.”
Lumber Bridge
In Lumber Bridge, Dick Perkins grabbed one of two available seats on the Town Council, receiving 15 of the 34 votes cast. Perkins was joined by write-in candidate Alan Burnnet, who had 11 votes.
Even though he isn't an official member of Rowland's board, Perkins is not new to the job. He had been filling in for Effie Forbis, who died in September.
“I've been serving for quite a while, so it won't be a big change for me,” Parker said.
Incumbents Edward Flint and Lena Canady did not run for re-election, opening the way for write-in candidate Burnnet, who was unavailable for comment.
“I know him casually,” Perkins said of Burnnet. “And I don't think there will be a problem working with him.”