Staff report
EAST SPENCER ó A self-described community leader/activist has filed to run for mayor of East Spencer.
John Cowan ran as a write-in candidate two years ago, but has filed to run for the position this year.
“I believe that East Spencer needs strong leadership,” Cowan said in a news release. “We cannot afford more broken promises from the past. We have a serious dilemma: Do we choose growth, a strong tax base with an emphasis on recruiting more business, more services for our elderly and youth, or do we go along to get along? I think the answer is very clear, if we keep using the same old methods of yesterday, we are going to get the same results.”
Cowan is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, Davidson County Community College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the N.C. Justice Academy in Salemburg. He also represents East Spencer on the Cabarrus-Rowan Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Cowan serves on the East Spencer Planning Board, the East Spencer Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Rowan County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee, is chairman of the 18th East Spencer Democratic precinct and is first vice chair of the Rowan County Democratic Party. He is a former member of the Rowan County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
“In this economy, most municipalities are feeling the crunch financially,” Cowan said. “We need to have someone who can make tough decisions and always remember that the citizens of East Spencer and their welfare is the top priority.”
Cowan said that for that reason, he’s challenging his opponent for mayor to promise to give up her salary if elected. Cowan’s opponent in the mayor’s race is Barbara Mallett.
Erma Jefferies, East Spencer’s current mayor, is not seeking re-election.