Former mayor files for re-election

A three-way battle for mayor of Wilmington is now set after former mayor Harper Peterson filed Friday to reclaim the post he won in 2001.

Peterson, who lost his re-election bid to former mayor Spence Broadhurst in 2003, then again to Broadhurst in 2005, signed up Friday, the last day of the two-week filing period. He will face current Mayor Bill Saffo and tattoo artist Justin LaNasa for the office.

Peterson has the distinction as the only candidate to actually win a mayoral election.

Saffo was appointed to the position in 2006 after Broadhurst resigned to take a job in Greensboro; LaNasa has never run for public office.

Peterson, who had another person file his papers Friday because he's on vacation on the West Coast, said he does not like the city's direction under the current leadership.

"I've been sitting back and listening the last two years, and myself and many others in this community are concerned about the policy and direction of the city," he said.

Peterson disagrees with the convention center project, which he called an "economic disaster," and the handling of water and sewer infrastructure issues, specifically the decision to form an independent water and sewer authority, which he called an "abdication of the city's responsibilities." He said the leadership has promoted development interests over environmental health and has not treated city employees well financially, specifically the fire department.

Peterson said he plans to hold an event July 31 to formally introduce his platform.

Saffo said he's looking forward to upcoming debates and the election itself, set for Oct. 9.

He said issues important to him are economic development, repairing the sewer system and rolling out park bonds projects. He said cooperation and teamwork are necessary to bring about positive change.

"We had to come together to make things happen," Saffo said. "It's OK to debate the issues, but I think at the end of the day the people still want us to get things done and move things forward."

LaNasa, a first-time candidate who said he served in the Army and Coast Guard and owns Hardwire Tattoo & Body Piercing, said he represents the average person better than most candidates.

"I think the city needs some changes," he said, adding that he believes many people in city positions aren't necessarily qualified.

During the campaign, LaNasa said he will concentrate on speaking to people about the importance of voting and the political process, especially young voters and others who tend to shy away from the polls.

In the city council races, 12 candidates filed to run for three seats. Besides incumbents Pat Delair and Laura Padgett, the slate of challengers includes Susan E. Clarke, Michael DeHart, Kevin Joseph Delahunty, Charles Denson Jr., Andy Koeppel, Jeffrey S. Kohl, Ricky Meeks, Ronald Sparks, Kristi Tomey and J. Todd Turner.

In the New Hanover beach towns, none of the current mayors is running for re-election. Perhaps the most interesting mayoral race is in Carolina Beach, where town council members Joel Macon and Alan Gilbert will vie for the mayor's seat, which will be vacant because Mayor Bill Clark is not running.

Alderman Steve Whalen is running for mayor of Wrightsville Beach and town council member Mac Montgomery is running for mayor of Kure Beach.

On the council side of things, Wrightsville Beach has eight aldermen candidates for two slots, none of which are incumbents. Kure Beach barely had enough candidates, with one mayoral candidate and two town council candidates for two spots.

In Pender County, the town of Atkinson had no one file for mayor or the Ward 2 alderman seat, and only Fred Friebel filed for the Ward 1 seat. The Pender County Board of Elections has extended the filing deadline for Atkinson until noon Wednesday in hopes of attracting more candidates.

In Burgaw, six candidates filed for three commissioner seats.

Of the 130 candidates who filed for the municipal elections in Brunswick County, most are newcomers and some are seeking a rematch from past races. Forty-nine of the 75 elected officials up for re-election are seeking their same seats.

Some, however, are wanting a new position.

Boiling Spring Lakes Mayor Joan Kinney, for example, is stepping down at the end of the term, but he filed Friday to run for commissioner.

And Calabash Commissioner Anthony Clemmons, whose term ends this year, is running for mayor against current Mayor Curtis Hardee.

Two towns will see candidates vying for the same seat - for the second time around.

In Oak Island, Mayor Johnie Vereen faces a challenge from Amanda Hall. He won the mayor's seat in 2005 with 924 votes; Hall was the next-highest vote-getter, with 773 votes.

In Leland, Franky Thomas will try to take back the mayor's seat he lost in 2005 to Walter Futch.

In neighboring Belville, Mayor David Long, who is moving to Pender County, will not be running for re-election. Commissioners Jean Rhodes and Chuck Thurlow are vying to fill the mayor's seat.

Staff writers Shannan Bowen and Ana Ribeiro contributed to this report.

Chris Mazzolini: 343-2223

chris.mazzolini@starnewsonline.com