NEW LINCOLN COMMISSIONERS SWORN IN TONIGHT
Revaluations, tax rate future topics

By Jon Mayhew

Alex Patton, George Arena and Carrol Mitchem will be sworn in as new Lincoln County Commissioners tonight at the James W. Warren Citizens Center. Photos by Jon Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- Tonight marks the swearing-in of Lincoln County's three commissioners-elect to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

East Lincoln activist and planning board member George Arena, commissioner Alex Patton and restauranteur and former commissioner Carrol Mitchem will take their oath of office around 6:30 p.m., then get to work. The ceremony will be held in commission chambers, which is on the third floor of the James W. Warren Citizens Center.

The first order of business is electing a chairman. The Carolina Scoop has learned Alex Patton, the current vice-chairman, may be voted in as the next chairman. Traditionally, the highest vote-getter in the election is elected chairman.

Patton received the most votes with 22,173 votes (24.19%); Arena, meantime, received 19,405 or 22.17% of the vote; and Mitchem received 19,405 or 21.17% of the vote.

The transition marks the end of terms for Marie Moore and Tom Anderson. Both Moore and Anderson did not wish to seek another term on the board.

Republicans George Arena (left), Alex Patton (next to George) and Carrol Mitchem (right) enjoy celebratory cigars from fellow republican Sam Houser (third from left) after Arena, Patton and Mitchem won the three seats on the board. Photo by Jon Mayhew/TCS

After the election Nov. 4, all three unofficial winners thanked voters for putting them into office.

"I'm glad to be able to serve the citizens of Lincoln County for four more years," said incumbant commissioner Alex Patton. "I'd also like to thank my family, poll workers and party leaders for making this possible. It was a good, positive campaign. It's the kind of politics I like. I look forward to working with these guys."

Patton said there's no looking back to what former commissioners Tom Anderson and Marie Moore have done.

"We're moving forward, looking at small area plans to meet the needs of each specific area of the county," said Patton.

Arena thanked voters for electing him to office. He currently serves as a member of East Lincoln Betterment Association and on the Lincoln County Planning Board.

"I'm appreciative of the support of the party and the confidence the voters have put in me," said Arena. "I'm looking forward to working with Carrol and Alex."

Some key issues, according to Arena, are the economy and infrastructure.

"We need to focus on new Highway 16 as well as the new water plant," said Arena. "I'd also like to sit down and talk with the Lincoln Economic Development Association about new industry coming to Lincoln. We need to diversify our tax base, especially as we open new Highway 16."

Mitchem also thanked the voters who put him into office.

"I'm thankful for the people of Lincoln County to see fit to elect me back into office," said Mitchem. "I'm going to do everything to represent the people of Lincoln County, in order to make Lincoln County the best place to live."

Mitchem said as a new commissioner, he'd like to take a look at the valuation process and the tax rate.

"I think the tax rate could be rolled back even more than it was," said Mitchem.