First new mayor in 14 years will take office after Cleveland voters decide

By Kathy Chaffin

kchaffin@salisburypost.com

CLEVELAND — For the first time in 14 years, voters here will be electing a new mayor when polls open next Tuesday.

Mayor James "Jim" A. Brown opted not to run for re-election after serving seven two-year terms as mayor, and before that, six years and six months on the Cleveland Town Board of Commissioners.

Incumbent Commissioner "John" I. Steele Jr. decided to run for mayor instead of filing for a third, four-year term on the town board. First-time candidate "Aubrey" H. Junker Jr. is also running for mayor.

Steele, 66, said he believes his eight years experience as a town commissioner would help him to be a good spokesman for Cleveland.

"The mayor does not vote unless there is a tie," he said, adding, however, that he would certainly be able to make recommendations or express his views on issues.

In his last term, Steele spearheaded efforts for the town's twinning with Killyleagh in northern Ireland and led a group from Third Creek Presbyterian Church and other town residents on a trip there in 2008. Killyleagh town officials and residents are planning a trip to Cleveland in 2010.

Junker, 50, said he is eager to give back to the town, which he said should be run like a business, and that his experience with corporate America would help him fulfill the duties of mayor.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Steele and his wife, Joy, and their children returned to his hometown after retiring as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force. He worked as an associate professor of social work at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro for six years and now teaches part time for Appalachian State University at its Hickory branch.

Junker, an independent business consultant, has lived in the town for a total of 10 years, moving with his wife, Jo-Amber, and their son and daughter to Concord for three years so the children could attend Covenant Classical School, which Jo-Amber helped start and where she taught for 10 years.

Both candidates say they will be accessible to town residents. Steele said he plans to spend a lot of time at town hall, where he will be available to talk to residents, and may even schedule town hall meetings for the purpose of hearing from residents on specific issues and their ideas.

"We did that one time," he said, "and it really worked out well."

Junker said he would welcome phone calls from concerned residents and would be willing to meet with them as the need arises.

The candidates have differing views on the town's budget. Steele said he would continue with the "sound, stable financial management" the board has had, while Junker criticized the board for its 2-cent tax increase last year at a time when town residents were already having to tighten their belts in a poor economy.

Their views on Cleveland's future growth are more similar. Steele said the land use plan adopted by the board sets guidelines for growth. "We'll try to do anything we can to encourage small businesses," he said.

Junker said, "You've got to look at the big picture of where the town is now and then align that with where the town needs to be in the future and have goals and objectives for the growth."

Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.