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Three spots in Bladen County to open for early voting

Submitted by Jon Evans, WECT/Fox Wilmington anchor
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012, 4:46pm
Three spots in Bladen County to open for early voting

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – One-stop voting begins Thursday, April 19 across North Carolina, and runs through Saturday, May 5. Primary election day is set for May 8.

Voters will be deciding on several state-wide offices, along with seats in Congress and the General Assembly. Many County Commission and School Board races are also on the ballot, along with the question of Amendment One, the proposal to write into the state constitution that marriage is only between one man and one woman.

Here is a list of early voting locations, dates and times in Bladen County:

Bladenboro (818 S. Main Street)

Dublin (120 2nd Street)

East Arcadia (1516 East Arcadia Road)

Monday-Friday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To keep track of all the elections and learn more about the candidates, visit WECT’s Decision 2012 page.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Bladen County commissioners vote in favor of marriage amendment

Submitted by Nikki Bussey, News Producer
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, 10:22am

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Bladen County Commissioners joined the list of other counties in support of the state marriage amendment Monday night.

Bladen Online owner Robert Hester said the commissioners' vote in support of the amendment was too quick and only took about 10 minutes. He said about 25 people attended the meeting.

The Commissioners listened to three speakers before voting to pass the resolution.

So far, commissioners in Brunswick and Columbus counties have also voted in support of the amendment.

Voters will give their opinion on the issue on May 8 when they head to the polls.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Bladen Co. Commissioners to discuss Marriage Amendment at next meeting

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Friday, April 6th, 2012, 10:32am
Bladen Co. Commissioners to discuss Marriage Amendment at next meeting

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Bladen County Commissioners have called a special meeting for Monday to consider adopting a resolution in support of the Marriage Amendment that will be on the ballot next month.

In recent weeks, the Columbus County and Brunswick County Board of Commissioners have joined six other counties in adopting similar resolutions in support of the Marriage Amendment.

Voters will go to the polls on May 8 to vote on the issue. North Carolina is currently the only southeastern state that has not passed a ban on Gay Marriage.

Bladen County will discuss the issue at 5 p.m. in the Bladen County Courthouse.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Federal grant worth almost $200K will create strategy for job creation

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012, 1:08pm
Federal grant worth almost $200K will create strategy for job creation

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A Commission based in Elizabethtown will receive almost $200,000 to support an economic development planning strategy for job creation.

U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre announced Tuesday that Congress appropriated $189,000 to the Southeastern Economic Development Commission.

The Commission will use the money to “help the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.”

Congressman McIntyre stated in a news release, “We must pursue every angle and secure every opportunity we can to help create jobs. This federal grant for the SEDC is based on merit for efforts to develop a process and strategy for both job creation and capital.”

The Commission’s region includes Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson and Sampson counties.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Check out the Decision 2012 page on WECT.com

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Saturday, March 17th, 2012, 1:17pm
Check out the Decision 2012 page on WECT.com

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Confused about the local elections? Wondering who to vote for or which politician is in the lead?

WECT.com has a Decision 2012 page with the latest news about the national presidential race, the North Carolina candidates and local contests. There are complete lists of candidates from all of the southeastern North Carolina counties and an interactive GOP primaries map. You can even check out slideshows, watch videos and check your polling places on the page.

Click here to check it out.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Decision 2012: Bladen Co. candidates file to run for office

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012, 1:57pm
Decision 2012: Bladen Co. candidates file to run for office

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The deadline for anyone in North Carolina hoping to run for office this year ended at noon on Wednesday.

Here is a list of candidates who filed to run in Bladen County:

County-wide Commissioner

  • James G. (Jimmie) Smith, Democrat
  • David Gooden, Democrat
  • G. Michael Cogdell, Democrat
  • Leon Dowless, Democrat
  • Hiram Hester, Democrat
  • Albert C. Beatty, Democrat
  • Billy Ray Patit, Republican

School Board

  • Ophelia Munn-Goins, Democrat, District #1
  • Wilbur Smith Jr., Democrat, District #2
  • Bonnell Walker, Democrat, District #3

County Commissioner District #1

  • Delilah B. Blanks, Democrat
  • Robert “Jacobs” Brooks, Democrat
  • Bryan B. Martin, Republican

County Commissioner District #2

  • Daniel R. Dowless, Democrat
  • Berry Lewis, Democrat

County Commissioner District #3

  • Lewis C. Tatum, Democrat
  • Wayne Edge, Democrat
  • Kenneth M. Register, Democrat
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SBI investigating Bladen County probation officer

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, February 28th, 2012, 4:26pm
SBI investigating Bladen County probation officer

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into voting violations in Bladen County.

A probation officer in Bladen County, whose name has not been released, is under investigation, according to N.C. Department of Justice spokesperson Noelle Talley.

District Attorney Jon David, the Bladen County Board of Elections and the N.C. State Board of Elections have planned a symposium on voting ethics for Thursday, March 8 at 4 p.m.

David said they will be addressing things like campaign behavior, ethics and policies. He said back in 2008 there were a number of issues, including election abuse. They want people to know they are moving forward and will be keeping a close eye on elections process.

The public is invited to attend the meeting in the Bladen County Courthouse.

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