By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
EAST SPENCER — A write-in candidate has entered the 2011 race for East Spencer alderman.
Marshall Gore Jr. announced his write-in candidacy last week at the Rowan County Board of Elections, joining six others who are vying for three open seats on the Town Board of Alderman.
“I’m primarily interested in service to mankind,” Gore said. “I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to help make East Spencer a better place to live and to have input on some of the issues that they’re dealing with right now.”
Like the other candidates for alderman, Gore, 51, is concerned about lowering the water bill for East Spencer residents. He said he wants to look over the pros and cons of selling the town’s water system to the city of Salisbury.
Gore also wants to reopen and beautify Royal Giants Park for the community, especially children, to use once again.
To make East Spencer attractive to businesses, Gore said, local law enforcement could help improve the town’s image by having more visible patrols.
He said improving East Spencer’s physical condition also could help make people want to live and work there.
“I would like to see some improvements of the roads, signage and things of that nature,” Gore said.
After the July 15 filing deadline had already passed, Gore said, he got a revelation that he wanted to serve as alderman. It’s his first time running for an elected office, and while his name won’t appear on the ballot this fall, he is organizing a campaign.
Candidates who have filed for a seat on the East Spencer Town Board of Alderman are incumbents Carlton Ellis, Theodore Gladden and John G. Noble III and challengers Curtis B. Cowan, Titus H. King Sr. and John L. Rustin Sr.
Marshall Gore Jr.
Office sought: Alderman
Age: 51
Address: 212 Geroid St., East Spencer
Phone: 704-637-1362 (home)
Occupation: Assistant Principal, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools – Northwest School of the Arts
Educational background: BS in Business Administration from Livingstone College, Master of School Administration from UNC Charlotte
Previous elected office: None
Community involvement: None listed
Family: Wife, Cathye; daughter, Brandice; son, Maxxwell
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.
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