Haw River mayor and former council member Kelly Allen is announcing her intention to run for a second four-year term as mayor.
The filing period for this year’s municipal elections opens at 12:00 noon tomorrow and runs through 12:00 noon on Friday, July 21. Two other seats on Haw River’s town council, currently held by Steve Lineberry and Patty Wilson, will also be up for grabs in this year’s general elections.
Allen was originally elected to her first term as mayor in November 2019, defeating then-mayor Buddy Boggs, who had served 18 years as mayor.
“I take my oath of office and your trust in me as your mayor with the highest regards,” Allen said this week in announcing her bid for reelection as mayor.
Allen also highlighted several of her accomplishments since becoming mayor: “the beautiful restoration of the Cone ‘Granite’ Mills, which I facilitated with a developer,” the success of which she says has since prompted the developer to plan for the future restoration of the Tabardrey Mill/Cora Mill, as well.
“I also voted to add a ninth police officer position to the Haw River Police department, as well as another police officer to serve as the SRO (School Resource Officer) for the Haw River Elementary School with funding from the Alamance-Burlington school system,” Allen recalled for The Alamance News.
“I am responsible for the new plantings at the intersection of Highway 49/Highway 70, the town entrance sign on North Church Street, Christmas decorations, and the New Leaf [beautification] planting project along the railroad track on Graham Road,” Allen adds, noting that those projects were completed at no cost to the taxpayers.
“Also, due to my networking in Raleigh with our [state] representatives and senators, the [town has] received two large disbursements from the American Rescue Plan,” Allen said. Those financial awards included a $9.1 million grant – which does not require repayment by the town – through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to rehabilitate the old sewer system.
In her capacity as mayor of Haw River, Allen serves on the boards for the N.C. Piedmont Triad Council of Government; New Leaf Society; as president of the Haw River Historical Association; on the Transportation Advisory Committee for the state Department of Transportation; the N.C. Mayor’s Association; and an N.C. Women in Municipal Government organization.
“I also volunteer as a reading buddy, lunch buddy, and as a test proctor [during end-of-grade testing at] Haw River Elementary School,” Allen says. She has also volunteered with Junior Achievement, a youth mentoring program, and taught a class about government at Haw River Elementary School.
“After 22 years, the town is moving forward and is on the cusp of being vibrant and more financially secure,” Allen tells the newspaper. “I invite all residents to attend town meetings to hear what great things are happening in their town… I am available 24 hours a day by telephone or email and glad to meet anyone at their convenience. I would like to continue as mayor to see our town into the future and help with serious decisions toward progression. I understand the importance of maintaining the historic small town feeling by not overbuilding and supporting the services our town needs.”
Allen has been endorsed by the N.C. Sheriff’s Association; state representatives Steve Ross and Dennis Riddell, whose districts include Alamance County; and Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson.
“I appreciate the residents of Haw River and am asking for your continued support as mayor of Haw River,” Allen concludes. “I look forward to building new relationships and promoting positive growth for our town.”
Reminder to would-be political office holders – and incumbents
The Alamance News welcomes news from citizens announcing their candidacy for public office in the 2023 municipal elections, the filing season for which begins Friday, July 7 at noon (through Friday, July 21, also at noon).
A biographical sketch, picture, and brief story will be carried when a candidate complies with the following guidelines:
The announcement must be timed for release on Thursday, the day it is scheduled to appear in The Alamance News.
The announcement must not have been published in any other local newspaper prior to that Thursday of its release in The Alamance News.
The candidate must not have already filed for office, even if he or she has not publicly announced his or her candidacy.
Inasmuch as a resident’s declaration of candidacy is an entirely discretionary event, the timing of which is within the candidate’s control, The Alamance News is interested to carry such information as news when it is, in fact, both timely and newsworthy.
A political announcement not meeting these criteria will be deemed advertising and run at appropriate advertising rates, subject to payment in advance.
These guidelines apply equally to all candidates – both incumbents and challengers.
Any questions about complying with these guidelines should be addressed to the publisher, Tom Boney, Jr., prior to any announcement.
