Duplin commissioner resigns
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on August 3, 2010 1:59 PM
KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County Commissioner Reginald Wells of District 6 will step down Aug. 16 from the commission seat he has held since 2000.
Wells announced his decision to resign at Monday's commission meeting.
He also recently stepped down from the church where he has served as pastor for 18 years, saying he plans to move out of the county to serve as pastor for another church.
Wells and his wife raised their daughter in Duplin County, and he said he and his family will miss living in Duplin.
"My life has been greatly impacted by this community," Wells said.
Wells thanked the commission members, saying he is grateful to have "worked with some tremendous personalities" and will miss the people he has represented.
"Thank you, citizens of Duplin County, for letting me serve you," he said.
District 6 stretches from Faison to Wallace and includes parts of Warsaw, Rose Hill and Magnolia.
Wells and Commissioner David Fussell acknowledged the times their political views have conflicted while serving on the board. They often verbally sparred over different issues, but "We love each other," Wells said.
Although he might have been Wells' political "nemesis" on the board, Fussell said he respects Well's opinions.
"I think our differences have added to the democratic process," he said.
Wells thanked long-time Commissioner Zettie Williams for being his political mentor during his time on the board. Ms. Williams said Wells has been greatly admired by many people in the county for his service.
"He's done more than many of us who are much older," she said.
Commission Chairman Cary Turner also expressed warm wishes for Wells in the future.
The search is now on for commissioners to appoint a new member to the board. By state statute, the new commissioner must be from the same district and political party as the departing board member, county attorney Wendy Sivori said.
The board members will contact the executive committee of the Democratic party in Duplin County to discuss the appointment.
Wells' term expires in 2012. The candidate selected to fill Wells' seat will serve out the remainder of his term and then will be eligible to run for a full term.
According to state law, the commissioners must fill the vacancy within 60 days.