Election 2009: Spencer mayor pro tem seeks second term as alderman

Morris

Staff report

SPENCER — Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Morris is seeking a second term on the Spencer Board of Aldermen.

Morris, 46, a Salisbury attorney, was the leading vote-getter two years ago and was selected mayor pro tem by his fellow board members.

Morris said he's pleased with the progress the board has made over the past couple of years, but said he feels that work remains.

He cited the theme used in the town's land-use plan, "Two Tracks, One Great Town," in describing the complimentary challenges that face Spencer.

"Spencer's downtown is blessed with the N.C. Transportation Museum, which ranks in the top five tourist attractions in the state," Morris said. "We have a beautiful historic downtown with a strong 'hometown' feel and an active downtown business community. And Spencer has the single-largest contiguous historic district in the state of North Carolina. I believe we can leverage those factors to continue to improve Spencer as a destination."

He also mentioned success of last year's Hometown Holidays celebration, an event that came to fruition thanks to efforts of numerous volunteers.

"The vitality of the town is alive in its volunteer spirit, which is unlike anything I've seen anywhere else," Morris said.

He said the other "track" he referred to is the north part of town and its extra-territorial zoning jurisdiction. To the north of Spencer is the Yadkin River and Interstate 85.

"Developing this area to its highest and best use will add to our local tax base, and in the long term will enable more municipal services to be delivered with less of a burden on the town's residential property taxpayers," Morris said.

Morris worked throughout the mid-Atlantic region for 10 years in Food Lion's store planning and development department as a construction supervisor before going to law school. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Catawba College in 1985 and earned his juris doctorate at Wake Forest University in 1998.

Morris is chairman of the Rowan County Zoning Board of Adjustments and chairman of the Rowan County Child Protection Team.