One more adds to election filings

Two more people have added their names to the list of candidates vying for one of seven spots on Mooresville’s town and school boards.

As of noon Tuesday, newcomer Carla Fassbender had filed to compete against incumbent Mitch Abraham for the Ward 1 seat on the Mooresville Town Board of Commissioners, and incumbent Sue Wilson had filed for re-election to her seat on the Mooresville Graded School District Board of Education.

Fassbender, a Spanish teacher at Lake Norman High School, said Tuesday that she’s running for the board because she believes in change.

“There’s just a lot of things I think could be better about Mooresville,” she said. “I think change is good.”

She also has experience: Fassbender is a transplant from La Crosse, Wis., where she was elected in 2002 to her county’s Board of Supervisors, which she said is equivalent to the Board of Commissioners here. She served on the board for two years, but decided not to seek reelection in 2004 because she was moving to North Carolina. Now, she said, she’s been here for a few years and she’s ready to give it a shot again.

“I decided since I love politics, I’d like to give it a try here,” she said.

Ultimately, said Fassbender, she’s eager to give it a try to give people an alternative to the status quo.

“I just really hope to give the voters another choice in the election,” she said.

In addition to Fassbender, incumbents Mitch Abraham and Danny Beaver have filed for reelection to the Ward 1 seat, and at-large seat, respectively. Bill Thunberg has filed to run for reelection as mayor. Thurman Houston, who was appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of Franklin Campbell, has filed for the Ward 2 seat.

The mayoral seat is a two-year position. All commissioner terms are for four years. If a primary is necessary for this non-partisan race, it will take place on Oct. 9.

For the MGSD seats, incumbents Sue Wilson and Larry Wilson have been joined by Mark McCulloh, a Davidson professor, and Eddie Karriker, who works in counseling at Mooresville High School.

Sue Wilson, who will be seeking her third term on the board, said Tuesday that she thought long and hard about her decision to run again, but decided she wanted to be a part of a school board under the new and exciting leadership of Supt. Mark Edwards.

“After much consideration, I made this decision because with a new superintendent, we have begun so many exceptional initiatives that I just want to contribute to their success,” she said. “I want to be there.”

In addition, she said, since her own grandchildren are now in the MGSD, “I’m really interested in seeing us continue to educate all children. That’s a tradition of ours.”

Wilson also cited Mooresville’s recent achievement of being named one of the 100 Best Small Towns by Money Magazine as part of her inspiration for seeking another term.

“It’s great to be a part of something that’s a national phenomenon,” she said.

Board of Education terms are for four years and do not require a primary. Those who choose to run for seats will join candidates on the municipal ballot on Nov. 6.

The MGSD’s other incumbent up for reelection, Barbara Johnson, has not filed. Johnson told the Tribune in early July that she does not intend to run for reelection.

Candidates who wish to be placed on the ballot for one of the area’s municipal elections must file their application, in person, at the Iredell County Board of Elections office at 203 Stockton St. in Statesville by noon on Friday, July 20. The cost is $10 to file for the MGSD and $5 to file for the Mooresville town board. For more information on this year’s elections, contact the Iredell County Board of Elections at 704-878-3140.

Posted on 07/18/07 at 08:40 AM
Mooresville •Mooresville Graded School District •Town Council •Ward 1 • (0) Comments

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