By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
FAITH — The Faith Town Board of Aldermen followed tradition Tuesday, electing Todd Peeler as the town’s new mayor.
Peeler racked up the majority of votes in November’s election, edging out Keith Deal for the top spot by six votes.
Alderman Bill Johnson nominated Peeler, 48, for the post, with Deal seconding the motion. The board voted Peeler in unanimously.
“I wanted to show my support for Todd,” Deal, 56, said. “I think Todd will do a wonderful job as mayor, he’s been on the board a while and as served as mayor pro tem.”
This will be Peeler’s fourth term on the board and first as mayor.
He was humble about taking on his new roles Tuesday.
“I think the mayor is only as good as the people around him and I think we’ve always had good people on the board,” he said.
Peeler said his top priority will be to hold the property tax rate steady and limit unnecessary spending.
“This is a small community with a lot of established families on fixed incomes,” he said. “Times are so bad now you need to work toward helping everybody and this is our way of doing that.”
As the second-highest vote-getter, Johnson nominated Deal to serve as mayor pro tem. The rest of the board followed tradition by voting the same.
“I appreciate the board’s support to elect me to this position,” Deal said.
As the second in command, Deal said his goals are in line with Peeler.
“I hope we can continue to do what we have started in the last couple of years in keeping our taxes down and taking care of our citizens,” Deal said.
A new face also joined the board Tuesday.
Gay Sanderson. 64, was sworn in for her first term on the board, replacing Mark Shores, who has served on the board for about 18 years. Shores did not seek re-election.
Current board members Johnson, 52, and Gary Gardner, 64, were also sworn in for another term Tuesday.
Although Mike Hilber did not win a seat on the board in November, he will be serving the town.
The board approved his request to join the town’s zoning board of adjustment.
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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In other business
The Faith Board of Alderman also:
• Approved the conversion of its fire alarm to a tornado warning signal. The fire alarm has not worked for a number of years, according to Fire Chief Scott Gardner. The cost of the project is about $590. Funds for the communication system will come out of the town’s fire department budget.
• The board is seeking members for its zoning and planning board and the zoning board of adjustment. There are three seats left on the zoning and planning board. Those must be filled by people who live out of town. The lone seat left on the zoning board of adjustment must be filled by a Faith resident. Interested parties can call Town Hall at 704-279-7500.