ST. PAULS — The St. Pauls Board of Commissioners on Thursday appointed Annie Stevens to the seat left vacant by the death of Commissioner Sam McAllister.
Stevens will represent District 2, which encompasses the area between East Broad and Chapel streets in St. Pauls ’ northeast quadrant.
“I’m happy with the decision,” she said. “I’m willing to learn and help my district in whatever way I can.”
McAllister, 81, was in the middle of his third consecutive term when he died in August. With the Nov. 3 municipal election right around the corner, the board was required by North Carolina general statute to appoint a person to finish out his term.
Stevens is a minister at Little Marsh Chapel AME Zion church. The retired saleswoman was one of two residents who applied for the position, with Adnyl Star Kemp being the other candidate.
Jimmy Robertson, a resident of District 2, said that Stevens will have her work cut out for her after she’s sworn in during the town’s Nov. 2 workshop.
“That community has been put on the back burner for a long time, and it’s going to take a lot of work in terms of the town giving them support,” Robertson said.
During public comment time, a longtime resident of District 2 said that the area has been blighted by several issues, including littering, potholes, overgrown grass, poor enforcement of speed limits and a lack of streetlights.
“We have complaints that haven’t gotten any further than the town administrator’s door,” he said.
In other business, the commissioners:
— Awarded a $4,900 contract to Horne Construction to do grading and clearing work at the town cemetery.
— Approved a $50 change order for its sewer-line project.
— Declared a police car surplus with the goal of selling the inoperable vehicle for parts.
