Despite controversy over drainage in Whiteville, alleged issues with police department leadership in Tabor City, and tax increase at Lake Waccamaw, voter turnout was only slightly above average in Tuesday’s municipal election, compared to previous contests.
Overall, 25.51 percent of the more than 9,000 voters eligible to vote in Tuesday’s municipal elections cast a ballot. In 2021, 27.01 percent went to the polls. In 2024, the turnout was 19.2 percent.
At Lake Waccamaw, several dynamics were in play. A long-delayed tax increase combined with expansion of the fire-rescue department budget drew a full field of candidates to the ballot. Incumbent mayor Matt Wilson lost to Greg Jacobs, 262 to Jacobs’ 319.
Theresa McKeithan did not seek reelection to the town commission from the East Ward, leaving the slot open for two newcomers, former Police Chief Scott Hyatt and businessman Lynn Hinnant. The win went to Hinnant, 311 to 296.
Curtis Andrews outpaced Charlyne Jacobs and incumbent Frank Carroll for the West Ward seat on the board. Andrews received 285 votes, Jacobs 242 and Carroll 78.
An anti-incumbent campaign spearheaded by Elizabeth Kasititi, owner of the Donut Shop, helped propel newcomer Linda Smith to the Whiteville City Council in District One. Vickie Pait won reelection, but fellow incumbent Helen Holden was defeated. Totals were 235 for Smith, 230 for Pait, and 173 for Holden.
Kasitati’s restaurant was heavily damaged in the October rain event, and she used social media to criticize city leadership, at one point saying Councilman Josh Harris was running a write-in campaign for mayor. Harris never confirmed that he was trying to unseat Mann. Kasitati has accused the city council and staff of not working fast enough to improve drainage along Soules Swamp. Kasitati’s videos of floodprone areas and commentary have gathered more than two million views on Facebook.
District Two incumbent Tim Collier, on the other hand, had no competition, and received 107 votes.
In Chadbourn, where two seats were open on the council, the ticket was split between an incumbent and a challenger. Longtime board member Rashad Roberts led the field, winning reelection with 188 votes. Challenger Pepper Nealy outdistanced incumbent Shannon Britt, 143 to 117, with Drew Worley coming in last with 85.
In Tabor City, town council candidate Bryan Culbertson dropped a bombshell in the October board meeting, just before early voting started. Culbertson, a former Whiteville Police officer, asked that the council call for an “investigative panel” to look into alleged morale issues, a high turnover rate and other problems in the Tabor City Police Department. Culbertson also qualified his statements and said they were not meant to be a reflection on longtime Chief Donald Dowless, who is retiring. A new chief is expected to be announced within the coming weeks.
In the end, Culbertson’s request was denied, and Tabor City voters cast their ballots for incumbent Lamont Grate and newcomer Chris Fowler, who received 235 votes each. Mitchell Strickland came in third with 112, and Culbertson was last with 45. Sam Rogers opted not to seek reelection.
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