By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — The town of East Spencer will hold a candidate forum Oct. 12 as way for citizens to meet those running for seats on the board.

The town-sponsored forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the 1909 East building, the former school system administration building, 110 S. Long St.

Each candidate will have an opportunity to say a little about themselves and the reasons they are running for elected office. The candidates will answer questions from the citizens in the audience. The forum is likely to last about an hour to an hour and a half, town officials say.

The following individuals are running for office — Barbara Mallett (incumbent), James Cowan (challenger) and Teon Robinson (challenger), all of whom are running for mayor. The following are running for a seat on the town board — Tammy Corpening (incumbent), Tony Hillian (challenger), Phronice Johnson (incumbent), Douglas Holmes (challenger), Jamilla Kennedy (challenger) and Otis Gibson (incumbent).

Mallett, who is currently the mayor, will be seeking her fourth term, if she is re-elected. She previously served on the town board from 2005 to 2009. Her main priorities are to continue projects that are currently being done, including the renovations to Royal Giants Park.

Robinson, a firefighter, has said there’s not enough being done for citizens. He has said he’s all for beautifying the park but says the “effort was started three years ago and still nothing.”

This is Robinson’s first time seeking an elected position. Robinson, 27, is the owner of the Robinson Group, a consulting firm specializing in program management for construction.

Cowan, a retired Army veteran, is making the leap into politics. Cowan has said he would like to see the Dunbar Center cleaned and redeveloped. The historic 56-year-old former community center burned in December 2014 in an intentionally set fire. He also wants to see Royal Giants Park up and running for the children. The town has been involved in an ongoing park redevelopment project for a few years.

Corpening, a property manager, serves on the board of directors of the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency and is a community advocate. She has said she looks forward to continued focus on improving the quality of life in East Spencer and being part of the town board where she hopes to continue to create a meaningful and livable community, if she wins a third term.

Hillian is making his first leap toward an elected office, he has said, to make a difference in the lives of East Spencer citizens.

Hillian has said he promises to respond quickly to citizens expressing their concerns for many abandoned homes and businesses along the Long Street corridor. He believes there are many things that can be done to improve the appearance of East Spencer with little money and a whole lot of community effort.

Johnson is running for her fifth term on the board, which would be a total of 20 years, if re-elected. Johnson has said she wants to see ongoing projects finished, including the renovation to Royal Giants Park and the water/sewer project. The town is in the middle of the water/sewer project, which will rehab its aging system.

Holmes, whose family business has made various donations toward town projects, says he’s all about the progress of the town.

He has said he has issues with the town’s lack of growth. He believes the town should be flourishing more. He’s also an advocate for the Royal Giants Park project, but believes it can be done for much less.

It’s the first time seeking office for Kennedy, who is a medical office administrator and cosmetologist. Kennedy says her priorities are water resolution, economic growth and community uplift. She did not elaborate on any further priorities or reasons for running for the town board. Kennedy recently fulfilled her mother’s dying wish to open a transitional housing facility. She’s also opened a community center for youth.

Gibson, who is a retired educator, is looking to embark on his fourth term to the board.

Gibson, who is an advocate for children, hopes to continue the projects that the current board has begun, including renovations at Royal Giants Park. Gibson was instrumental in getting funding for the summer camps held at the park for the last couple of years.

The town is still working on getting a moderator for the forum.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.