Chatman picked as new Goldsboro councilman
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on July 20, 2004 1:58 PM
Former Goldsboro Planning Director Don Chatman was selected Monday to fill the District 3 vacancy on the City Council.
Chatman was one of the three candidates selected to interview for the position. Eight people applied for the vacancy.
The council made its decision late Monday afternoon after interviewing Cheryl Alston. Chatman and Naomi Williams were interviewed last week.
Chatman
Ms. Alston, born and reared in Goldsboro, told the council Monday that her 20 years of experience as an educator would help her as a council member.
"I've had exposure to a broad spectrum within the community as a whole, and have seen how sections interacted," she said.
It was Ms. Alston's background and training in building consensus that interested Councilman Chuck Allen.
"Maybe we should hire you as a consultant," he said.
But in the end, it was Chatman's experience with the city and his planning background that put him in the council seat.
Allen said he had to think of the issues facing the city when he made his decision.
"We've got some pretty technical things in next two years, and Don can offer a lot to us with that," Allen said.
Mayor Al King said that Chatman would bring some things to the council that were needed.
Councilmen Jimmy Bryan, Charles Williams and Bob Waller all said they were impressed with the candidates.
"All three of them were very good," Bryan said.
Chatman will be sworn in at the Aug. 2 council meeting. He replaces William Goodman who resigned.