Mildred McKinney, left, shows her support for Cordie Armstrong, who won one of two seats on the Pilot Mountain Board of Commissioners. Beatrice Shoffner shows her support for N.C. Senate Candidate Ric Marshall who lost the race for Don East’s seat.
From left, Doug Brannon, Dwight Atkins, Cordie Armstrong, George Gray and Scott Needham, who were all vying for two seats on the Pilot Mountain town board, braved the cold outside the polls Tuesday night.
PILOT MOUNTAIN — In the race for two seats on the Pilot Mountain Board of Commissioners Dwight Atkins and Cordie Armstrong were declared the winners Tuesday night.
Atkins, 58, of 203 Friends Street, Pilot Mountain won with 398 votes and Armstrong got 284 votes.
The winners will fill two seats left open when Commissioners Andrews French and Carolyn Boyles decided not to run for re-election.
Atkins said he wanted to serve on the board because he believes in community service.
“I want to thank the voters of Pilot for their support. On a day with a strong turnout, it makes it extra special. I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Sheppard and the board. I want to extend my congratulations to Cordie. I have the utmost respect for everybody who ran in this race. I will work hard for the best interest of the people who live in this great town in ways that will make it an even better place to live,” Atkins said.
Atkins is a Pilot Mountain ABC board member, however, he said previously that if elected, he would step down from that board to avoid any conflict of interest.
Atkins has been a member of the East Surry Arts and Academic Team, is a former planner and facilitator for the Leadership Surry County Program and has been the PTO chairman for Shoals Elementary. He is a former mathematics chairman on a board for Surry Community College and was a member of the East Surry School Improvement Team.
He has a daughter Erika, who is a sophomore at N.C. State University. His parents are Jean Atkins of Mount Airy and the late Charlie Atkins. He is a consultant in quality management systems and statical analysis. He holds a doctorate in mathematics education from N.C. State University.
Cordie Armstrong, 50, of 200 S. Academy St., Apt. 9, Pilot Mountain, said the main reason she ran for this seat is because she cares about her community.
“I already support our town. This will give me another way to serve our community,” said Armstrong. “I’m so excited. I thank God and I thank the beautiful people of Pilot Mountain for embracing me and choosing me. I’m really honored. I’m ready to be a part of the existing council and I’m ready to serve Pilot Mountain. I’m truly humbled.”
In working in the community, she raises funds for Easter Seals. She is active in the Children’s Miracle Network, the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation and with the Special Olympics. She is a member of the NAACP.
She has one daughter, Barbara Doran East, and is the store manager of Food Lion
She graduated from East Surry High School and took some executive secretarial classes at Forsyth Tech.
This is the second year Scott Needham ran for a spot on the board. His mother, Linda Needham, already serves on the board. He came away from the election this year with 163 votes.
Douglas B. Brannon received 151 votes. Larry H. Wall got 99 votes and George Gray, who is also running for the second year in a row, got 62 votes.
There were two write-in votes.
Reach Mondee Tilley at mtilley@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1930.
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