Rustin files for alderman

EAST SPENCER — Retired Police Chief, former Mayor and Alderman John L. Rustin says he wants to bring back dignity and respect to the town of East Spencer.

Rustin has filed as a candidate for alderman. The filing period ends at noon Friday. Rustin became the first person to file for one of three vacancies on the board.

The mayor’s position, now held by Kenneth Fox, also is up for election Nov. 6.

If elected, Rustin said he would serve without salary until the financially strapped town can afford to pay its officials.

Rustin promised to work toward maintaining the proper financial records and getting the required information to the N.C. Treasurer’s Office in a timely manner. He said he would like to see city employees returned to a state benefits system.

The town must upgrade its water-sewer utility and try to recruit business and encourage home development to improve the tax base, Rustin said. He added that his experience would be important in finding new money sources for the utility system and also for keeping board unity.

Rustin said he would inventory town-owned properties and work with the board to determine what land should be sold.

“I will see that it has been done through proper legal channels and that the records show it,” Rustin added.

One of his reasons for seeking office, Rustin said, was to make sure citizens receive the proper services that the town charter says will be delivered.

Rustin, 76, served as police chief for 14 years and was a law enforcement officer for 35 years. Educated in the Washington, D.C. public schools, he received advanced criminal justice training at several North Carolina community colleges and has an industrial management degree from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Rustin belongs to the NAACP, Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council board of directors and the trustee board of Southern City Church. He also works on behalf of the United Negro College Fund at Livingstone College.

In the past, Rustin also has sought the Democratic nomination for Rowan County sheriff and a seat on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.

He served as Democratic precinct chairman in East Spencer for 20 years and now serves as precinct vice chairman.

“My solid promise is that I’ll do what I can for the town and not ask what the town can do for me,” Rustin said.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or e-mail him at mwineka@salisburypost.com .